Japan, Malaysia seal maritime pact, focusing on Malacca Strait
They also agreed to speed up defense projects under a 2018 equipment and technology transfer deal.
Japan and Malaysia agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation to safeguard Asia's waters, including the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Tokyo on Wednesday. The two welcomed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Japan Coast Guard and the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency. In a joint statement, the two governments said the cooperation is important for freedom and security of navigation and overflight, while also supporting resilient supply chains. Japan and Malaysia also committed to continue bilateral consultations at the deputy minister level, strategic dialogue, exercises between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy, and to accelerate concrete projects under the 2018 Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement.