Japan-Malaysia Strengthen Maritime Cooperation for Asian Waters Security

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday (10/6/2026). (ANTARA/HO-Malaysian Prime Minister's Office)

JAKARTA - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed to strengthen the two countries' maritime cooperation to ensure the security of Asian waters.

In the second meeting of the two leaders in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, as stated in the joint statement, Takaichi and Anwar acknowledged the increasingly close cooperation in maritime safety and security between the Japanese Coast Guard and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The two then welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoC) between the two institutions at the meeting.

Both Takaichi and Anwar Ibrahim expressed hope that further cooperation would contribute to efforts to ensure freedom and security of navigation and aviation in Asian waters, including the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea, as well as building a resilient, strong, and integrated supply chain.

Japan and Malaysia also reaffirmed their commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the enforcement of international law.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to continue to advance security cooperation and confirmed their intention to immediately hold the next bilateral consultation at the deputy ministerial level and the next strategic dialogue, as launched in 2024.

Takaichi and Anwar also welcomed the continuation of bilateral exercises between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Both confirmed the intention to continue dialogue between the defense organizations of the two countries as well as to further advance training and exchanges between them.

Japan and Malaysia also decided to accelerate the formulation of concrete projects based on the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement signed in 2018.