Japan-Malaysia Summit Talks

The leaders of Japan and Malaysia have reaffirmed they will work closely to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Japan Prime Minister and his counterpart Malaysian Prime Minister met near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

The country chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year. The leaders highlighted last year’s first-ever joint drill by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and Malaysia’s military.

The leaders also discussed regional issues, including the Middle East. They agreed to co-chair a ministerial meeting in July on reconstruction assistance for the Gaza Strip.