JAPAN HOPES FOR MORE COOPERATION WITH MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- Japan hopes to have more cooperation
with Malaysia, especially in the environment and energy sectors, its outgoing
Ambassador to Malaysia Masahiko Horie said.

Japan, he said, had always been one of the top investors to Malaysia, with
about 1,400 companies now operating in the country.

Trade between the two countries continued to be robust with total trade
growing about 10 per cent to RM132.8 billion in 2010 as compared with 2007.

Describing the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT)
as a significant culmination of the Look East Policy, Horie said, the institute
would open its doors this September.

"It will become a centre of excellence in Asia where Japanese-style
engineering education will take place right here in Malaysia," he said in a
farewell letter to Bernama.

Horie will return to Japan on April 28 after completing his tour of duty in
Malaysia for three years and seven months.

The ambassador said he was pleased that several milestone were achieved in
the relationship between the two countries during his tenure.

"On the political front, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak visited
Japan in April last year and both our leaders jointly presented the
Japan-Malaysia Joint Leaders' Statement, 'Enhanced Partnership for a New
Frontier'," he said.

Horie said the Japanese people were also very touched and encouraged by the
kindness of the Malaysian people who had showed an outpouring of sympathy and
generosity following the massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

He noted Malaysia's parliament deepest condolence and sympathy to Japan in
a special session last month as well as Putera 1Malaysia Club's humanitarian
mission there.

"I have learnt a lot during my stay in Malaysia. Upon my return to Japan, it
will be my pleasure to tell the Japanese people to 'Look West' and learn from
Malaysia," he said.