Greetings from Ambassador Shikata
2024/11/6
My name is SHIKATA Noriyuki. I arrive in Malaysia today to embark a new and exciting journey which I have been looking forward to as the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia.
My first visit to Malaysia took place more than 25 years ago on a family trip to Langkawi, where I fondly recall the relaxed atmosphere, openness and coziness of the country which made me want to stay for much longer.
I have also visited Malaysia twice accompanying the two Prime Ministers of Japan during their official visits to Malaysia, with the first during the Prime Minister Abe administration back in 2007 and subsequently during Prime Minister Kishida’s administration in November 2023, where I was Cabinet Secretary for Public Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office. I was privileged to attend the Japan-Malaysia Prime Minister’s meeting during my second visit and exchanged views with the local journalists and experts. This gave me the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the extremely close and cordial bilateral relations between our countries.
I am also extremely delighted and have an honor to be able to work at the forefront to further strengthen the existing friendly cooperation between Japan and this wonderful country, bonded by deep friendship and strong ties built up over the years under the Look East Policy. Malaysia will assume the chair of ASEAN in the next year of 2025 and play a significant role in guiding major policy making of the Southeast Asian countries under the theme of “Inclusiveness and Sustainability” where greater people-to-people exchanges are expected. I am grateful for being given this opportunity to contribute as Ambassador of Japan in Malaysia at such a wonderful timing and will put my best efforts in my new role.
The bilateral relations between Japan and Malaysia entered a new stage when it was elevated to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in December 2023. Leveraging on the existing cordial ties between our countries, I am determined to further enhance the people-to-people exchanges in wide-ranging fields, especially in cultural, tourism, student exchanges and educational aspects, in accordance with our commitment of further strengthening our strategic partnership between Japan and Malaysia.
The strong ties between our two countries, which have been cultivated over the years based on shared fundamental principles and values, including a free and open international order based on the rule of law, is becoming increasingly vital amid the growing complexity and uncertainty of the global landscape. We will further expand and deepen our cooperation between both countries through proactive efforts such as the Official Security Assistance (OSA), the Japan-Malaysia Vice-Ministerial Consultation, the Strategic Dialogue between the foreign and defense authorities, and the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Working Group. These will enhance our cooperation between Japan and Malaysia across the international community, which is also important in realizing the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" advocated by Japan.
Malaysia values bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation from Japan. In order to achieve greater economic development through economic partnerships between both countries, we are committed to encourage more Japanese companies to come and invest as well as helping to improve the business environment in Malaysia.
Malaysia is one of the most important suppliers of LNG to Japan. Our collaboration in the energy fields, however, is not limited only to LNG. There has been an ongoing collaboration in exploring newer fields such as in the utilization of hydrogen and ammonia, as well as the carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS). In addition, Malaysia has also strongly supports the “Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC)” initiative advocated by Japan which calls for energy transition and decarbonization. In this sense, Malaysia is becoming an increasingly reliable partner for Japan in jointly tackling global issues.
In addition, I am also committed to exchanging views and taking into consideration feedback from the Japanese people living in Malaysia and will work together with the Japanese Embassy officials and staff to come up with concrete steps that could be taken to further strengthen our bilateral relations between Japan and Malaysia.
I also look forward to paying visits to all the states during my tenure in Malaysia. I have come to learn that each state has its own unique characteristics. I hope that through communicating with as many Malaysian and Japanese people as possible in each state, I will be able to further revitalize bilateral regional exchanges at state levels, and promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries throughout Malaysia.
As the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, I am determined to make my best efforts for achieving these goals, and I genuinely appreciate your continued support and cooperation towards our future.
Thank you and terima kasih.