JOINT EFFORTS BY MALAYSIA, JAPAN AND GLOBAL COMMUNITY NEEDED FOR PALESTINE – TAKAHASHI

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Japan, together with the international community, need to work for the better future of the Palestinian people, said Japan’s ambassador to Malaysia, Katsuhiko Takahashi.

“In the Middle East, amid prolonged fighting, Japan is seriously concerned about the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since last October, Japan has been implementing humanitarian aid of over US$100 million for support for Palestine, including Gaza.

“Japan welcomes the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2735 on the situation in Gaza on June 10. Support from Malaysia on this resolution was also encouraging.”

Takahashi made these remarks in his speech during Japan’s 70th Self-Defence Forces’ Day celebration at his residence on Wednesday.

In another development, he highlighted Malaysia’s upcoming role as ASEAN chair in 2025 as a crucial opportunity to address regional challenges.

Takahashi emphasised the shared principles between Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

“Cooperation with ASEAN countries is indispensable. The AOIP shares fundamental principles with FOIP, and Japan is keen to support it. 

“Malaysia will play an even greater role as the chair of ASEAN in addressing regional challenges, and Japan stands ready to support Malaysia in exercising its leadership," he said.

On bilateral relations, the ambassador highlighted the deepening security cooperation between Japan and Malaysia, noting the first bilateral exercise between the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and Royal Malaysian Navy this year.

“We chose Malaysia strategically as one of the first four recipient countries of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) last year.

“Additionally, Japan’s Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology have been revised to enable the transfer of defence equipment overseas, facilitating smoother defence equipment cooperation between our countries.

“I look forward to seeing tangible results with Malaysia in this area as well.”

Also present during the reception were National Security Council director-general Datuk Raja Nurshirwan Zainal Abidin, high-ranking officials of the Defence Ministry and the Malaysian Armed Forces, ambassadors, and military attachés of diplomatic corps in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA