PUTRAJAYA: Disaster management was among the key issues discussed during Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Makio Miyagawa today.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting at the Perdana Putra Complex here, Dr Wan Azizah said Malaysia will utilise Japan's experience in several fields, including disaster management.
She added that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will benefit from Japan's ample experience in managing disasters.
"The cooperation will involve training and the sharing of knowledge, including early warning technology that will help us predict and prepare for disasters.
"Apart from that, the cooperation will involve planning on how to manage major disasters. I was made to understand that Japan posses a comprehensive system in case of a large-scale earthquake," she said during a press conference here today.
She said the cooperation will involve the sharing of expertise to mitigate and reduce risks during the early stages of a disaster.
Dr Wan Azizah said the issue of Japan's ageing population was also discussed, adding that Malaysia will face a similar situation by 2030.
At present, the number of Malaysians aged 60 years and above is estimated to be 1.4 million and is projected to increase to 3.3 million in the year 2020.
"Japan has more experience in this issue and Malaysia can benefit from this. We want to know more about Japan's social protection policies. This is an issue that Malaysia has to handle in the future.
"We also discussed the possibility of holding bilateral training and exchange in the field of women leadership," she said.
Meanwhile, Makio said the Japanese government is prepared to share its experience in disaster management and offer its expertise on managing the ageing population issue.
"I was made to understand that a Japanese company in Malaysia has already installed a flood detection system in Sungai Kelantan in Kelantan and it will issue early warnings when the water levels reach the danger mark," he said.
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