Latest news with #NikkeiForumMediniJohor2025
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Barnama
Japan Backs Johor's Push To Become ASEAN Urban Mobility Model
JOHOR BAHRU, June 19 (Bernama) -- Japan has pledged continued support for Johor's transformation into an ASEAN benchmark for urban mobility by promoting smart transit solutions and cutting-edge transportation technologies. Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said the initiative aligns with Johor's rapid economic growth, particularly fuelled by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which is set to position the state as a key regional economic hub. He said the forthcoming Rapid Transit System, Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), expected to be completed by late 2026, along with the proposed Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit System (E-ART), are key to improving public transportation in Johor. bootstrap slideshow By utilising Japan's AI-powered traffic control systems and digitally optimised public transportation networks, Johor could significantly reduce traffic congestion and emerge as a transportation model not just for Malaysia, but for the entire ASEAN region, he said at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 here Thursday. Co-organised by Iskandar Investment Bhd and Japan's Nikkei Inc, the two-day Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 is hosted by the Johor state government with support from the Johor Economic Planning Division, Invest Johor, and the Iskandar Puteri City Council. He highlighted the strategic potential of the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port, both of which are well-positioned to grow as competitive regional logistics hubs and play a larger role in international trade. He said Japanese stakeholders are eager to collaborate on enhancing operational efficiency and vessel traffic management at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port, aiming to strengthen Johor's role in international trade, generate quality employment, and significantly contribute to regional economic growth. As Johor continues to emerge as a key destination for data centres, Shikata underscored the significant environmental challenge posed by the high energy demand for cooling, noting that Japan's LNG-based cooling technology offers an environmentally friendly and efficient cooling solution. 'By adopting this technology, the data centres in Johor would significantly improve energy efficiency while reducing their environmental impacts as well as improving operational efficiency,' he said.
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor forges strategic pact with Japan's NEOJAPAN to build Asean digital talent hub
jashadiqe@ ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor state government has taken a bold step to anchor itself as Asean's next digital powerhouse by sealing a strategic partnership with Japanese tech firm NEOJAPAN Inc today (June 19). The MoU inked between Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris and the Yokohama-based digital solutions provider president Akinori Saito, will pave the way for the Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) to be establish within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Japan's Economy Minister Yoji Muto and Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata, the agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025. The SEA CoE will serve as a regional training and innovation hub, aiming to upskill more than 1,000 local tech talents in areas such as cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support and no-code development. The initiative is also set to generate 300 high-skilled jobs, boosting Johor's position as a tech-driven investment destination. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with our goal of turning Johor into a regional hub for digital excellence," Onn Hafiz said. "By fostering innovation, talent development, and strategic investments, we believe the JS-SEZ can become a catalyst for Johor's digital economy." NEOJAPAN, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, will contribute its expertise in cloud-based platforms and digital transformation tools, including desknet's NEO, AppSuite and NEOPORT. The partnership signals deepening Malaysia-Japan economic ties and supports Malaysia's wider digitalisation push under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry's regional strategies.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johor forges strategic pact with Japanese tech firm to build Asean digital talent hub
ISKANDAR PUTER: The Johor government has taken a bold step to anchor itself as Asean's next digital powerhouse by sealing a strategic partnership with Japanese tech firm NEOJAPAN Inc today (June 19). The MoU, inked between Invest Johor chief executive officer Natazha Harris and the Yokohama-based digital solutions provider president Akinori Saito, will pave the way for the Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence (SEA CoE) to be established in the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Japanese Economy Minister Yoji Muto and Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata, the agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025. The SEA CoE will serve as a regional training and innovation hub, aiming to upskill more than 1,000 local tech talent in areas such as cloud infrastructure, multilingual IT support and no-code development. The initiative is also set to generate 300 high-skilled jobs, boosting Johor's position as a tech-driven investment destination. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with our goal of turning Johor into a regional hub for digital excellence," Onn Hafiz said. "By fostering innovation, talent development and strategic investments, we believe the JS-SEZ can become a catalyst for Johor's digital economy." NEOJAPAN, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, will contribute its expertise in cloud-based platforms and digital transformation tools, including desknet's NEO, AppSuite and NEOPORT. The partnership signals deepening Malaysia-Japan economic ties and supports Malaysia's wider digitalisation push under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry's regional strategies.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Japan bolsters strategic ties with Malaysia, Johor a critical anchor
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Japan is intensifying its strategic partnership with Malaysia, with Johor emerging as a critical anchor in three key areas. Noriyuki Shikata, Japanese ambassador to Malaysia, said the key areas are green investment, advanced transport infrastructure and education exchange. In his keynote at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025, Shikata said Japan sees Johor's rapid rise, particularly under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as an opportunity for deep bilateral cooperation that aligns with regional goals of sustainability and economic integration. "Johor is fast becoming a vital hub for data centres. These require massive cooling capabilities. Japan is ready to offer our LNG-based cooling technologies to boost energy efficiency and environmental performance," he said. He added that the expected green energy transmission from Sarawak to Johor would create more investment avenues for Japanese companies in line with the Asean Power Grid initiative actively championed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Shikata also highlighted transportation as a critical pressure point in Johor's growth trajectory, urging modern solutions to curb congestion and unlock economic efficiency. "Japan stands ready to support Johor with AI-powered traffic systems and integrated smart public transport. "The RTS Link and E-ART system are crucial and Japan's technology can help make Johor a regional model for next-gen mobility," he said. He highlighted the pivotal role of Johor's seaports, namely the Tanjung Pelepas and Johor ports, in anchoring international trade. He proposed closer collaboration with Japanese partners to enhance port operations and vessel traffic management, boosting competitiveness and job creation. Turning to education, Shikata called for a stronger two-way student exchange and joint university programmes under what he coined the "Look at Each Other Policy," a progression from the traditional Look East Policy. "It is time we build new academic bridges between our institutions in Johor and Japan. These exchanges will cultivate future joint-venture leaders and deepen trust-based cooperation," he said. The ambassador cited the slew of recent high-level visits from Japan, including those by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Economy Minister Muto Yoji- as proof of Japan's confidence in Malaysia as a gateway to Asean growth. "Through joint effort in green tech, transport modernisation and education, our partnership with Johor can lead sustainable development across the region," he said.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia-Japan relations deepen through values, trust and investment
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Malaysia's long-standing ties with Japan are being further fortified beyond investment and technological collaboration, rooted instead in shared values, cultural appreciation, and growing mutual trust, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Reflecting the strength of Malaysia-Japan relations in his special address at the Nikkei Forum Medini Johor 2025 here on Thursday, Anwar said Japan remains an essential partner in Malaysia's economic and educational landscape, with bilateral ties growing deeper under the leadership of both countries. 'Our ties with Japan are no longer limited to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya,' he said, recalling his engagements with Japanese leaders, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who had listed Johor and the Sarawak Green Hydrogen initiative as part of Japan's future investment focus. Anwar recounted his recent visit to Japan, where he delivered a lecture at Keio University and highlighted the intellectual legacy of Japanese scholar Toshihiko Izutsu, who had extensively studied Islamic philosophy and comparative spirituality. 'This deeper cultural and intellectual appreciation will strengthen our friendship for generations to come. In a world where governance and business are often driven by power and greed, we need to revive the spirit of ethics, justice, and humanity in diplomacy and trade,' he said. He also highlighted that both countries have shown continued commitment to trust-based collaborations in areas such as green energy, artificial intelligence, education and industrial development, with Johor playing a rising role in Malaysia's global engagements. Anwar said Malaysia appreciated Japan's consistency as a development partner and praised the Japanese government's willingness to engage multilaterally with ASEAN, especially amid global trade tensions such as unilateral tariff impositions. 'The Japan-Malaysia relationship is built on mutual respect and shared purpose. It is this foundation that makes it resilient, not just economically, but also morally and diplomatically,' he said.
