MALAYSIAN PM NAJIB TO VISIT JAPAN ON APRIL 18-21

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- Najib Tun Razak is scheduled
to make an official visit to Japan from April 18 to 21 at the invitation of the Japanese government.

This is his first visit to Japan in his capacity as prime minister.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry here says Najib will be accompanied by
Rosmah Mansor, Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim, who
is also acting foreign minister, and his wife, Masnah Rais, on the four-day
visit.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister is scheduled to have an audience with Emperor
Akihito and Empress Michiko.

He will also have a bilateral meeting with Japan's Prime Minister, Yukio
Hatoyama, and attend an official dinner hosted by Hatoyama.

He will visit a Japanese recycling plant, address Japanese business leaders
and meet leading Japanese captains of industry as well as receive an honorary
doctorate from the Meiji University.

Najib is also scheduled to meet Malaysians and Malaysian students in Tokyo
before returning home.

The statement says that the visit is significant as it reflects the strong
and longstanding relations between Malaysia and Japan which have manifested in
strong ties in trade, investment, education and capacity building through the
Look East Policy, technology exchanges, cultural exchanges and tourism as well
as expansion to new areas of cooperation.

The visit would also enable the leaders of both countries to exchange views
on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

-- BERNAMA