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Japan Lauds Malaysia's ASEAN Leadership in Addressing Regional Security Challenges
Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki delivers a speech during The 71st Japan Self-Defense Forces Day Reception at the Japanese Ambassador's Residence No. 5 here Tuesday night. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Japan has lauded Malaysia, the 2024 ASEAN Chair, for its growing leadership in addressing regional security challenges.
Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Noriyuki Shikata said Tokyo reiterated strong support for Malaysia.
On the bilateral front, Shikata also highlighted the growing importance of Japan-Malaysia relations, spurred by the elevation of their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
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He noted that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's decision to make Malaysia his first overseas visit in January this year further reflects the importance Tokyo places on its relationship with Kuala Lumpur.
The ambassador reaffirmed Japan's commitment to deepening its defence posture and working closely with Malaysia to safeguard regional peace and security, in line with a rules-based international order.
'In the face of unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, particularly in the East and South China Seas, Japan is steadily advancing the fundamental reinforcement of our defence capabilities,' he said during the celebration of the 71st anniversary of Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) Day, held at his official residence here on Tuesday evening.
Shikata said Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy - which aligns with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) - seeks to promote cooperation over conflict by upholding international law.
He said the JSDF play a vital role in supporting this vision by bolstering deterrence, improving response capabilities, and fostering deeper security collaboration.
On Japan-Malaysia security cooperation, he said the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy have conducted three iterations of the bilateral exercise 'MALPAN' in the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea.
