TOKYO: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's inaugural five-day visit to Japan as prime minister, in conjunction with the Asean - Japan Commemorative Summit, has drawn potential investments worth RM6.56 billion.
He said based on his meetings with parties there, including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, it was evident that Malaysia-Japan relations are experiencing a shift in investment, trade, education and technology cooperation.
"The visit to Japan has been a success, managing to attract potential investments valued at RM6.56 billion," he said at a press conference at the end of his visit today.
The prime minister earlier also hosted a high tea session at Tokyo's Imperial Hotel for the Malaysian diaspora in Japan where he met with Malaysian students and expatriates.
He had a brief interactive session with around 450 Malaysians in attendance before proceeding to the press conference.
Anwar said the RM6.56 billion, coupled with the RM23 billion in potential investments secured during the last Malaysian delegation's visit to Japan in June, brings the cumulative potential investments to RM29.56 billion.
He said added investment come from are already established in Malaysia and are looking to expand.
Three Japanese corporations with investments in Malaysia, namely Rohm Wako, NEC Co Ltd and Mitsui & Co, have also conveyed their willingness to increase investments during one-on-one meetings last Saturday.
He said in terms of job opportunities, this would translate to at least 1,800 more jobs in various sectors.
"I'm not quite sure of the exact numbers (on employment) but this would be around 1,800 to 2,000 more jobs from the expansion. And they're happy with our workforce. They like our people," he said.
As a round up of the Asean-Japan Summit, Anwar described the meeting with fellow Asean leaders and host Japan over the past three days as fruitful.
In particular, Anwar highlighted the success of the bilateral meeting with Japan ahead of the summit, calling it a continuation of forging strong ties with the country.
He noted that Japanese press coverage of Malaysia had in the past several months been very positive.
"I was speaking to some (Japanese) company representatives earlier, and they told me that press coverage of Malaysia in Japan has been very positive. Something they've never seen before," he told reporters.
The Asean-Japan Summit, which ran from Dec 16 until today, saw Malaysia and Japan's ties elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Among the key collaborations between the nations of the summit have been in renewable energy, with the Asia Zero Emission Community (Azec) energy initiative meeting that convened earlier today, climate action and improving cybersecurity standards.
On purported security threats from China in the South China Sea which Japan had addressed, Anwar said Malaysia maintains a neutral stance on the matter.
"We have been consistent in our diplomacy with Japan (and other similar ally nations). We don't interfere in their affairs (with other states)."
Anwar was also asked on the signing and exchange of notes of the official Security Assistance Grant Aid by Japan, which would provide monitoring and surveillance equipment for Malaysia.
Echoing Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan's stand earlier, Anwar affirmed that the security assistance from Japan was not to neutralise any threats from China.
Asked if closer ties with Japan would affect Malaysia's relations with China, he said it wouldn't change anything.
"We're good friends with both. This doesn't change anything with China," he said.