Malaysia

Masaki Konishi was appointed to serve as the Japanese ambassador to Malaysia in 2001. World Eye Reports interviewed Ambassador Konishi regarding the present and future state of Malaysian-Japanese relations as well as the upcoming retirement of Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir. Below is an excerpt from that interview:

WER: Please give us your thoughts on the current state of relations between Malaysia and Japan.

Konishi: Japan and Malaysia have been enjoying a very close and friendly relationship. As Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir once mentioned on the occasion of Japan's economic assistance to Malaysia during the Asian financial crisis in 1997, Japan has been regarded as "a friend in time of grievous need."

The excellent and stable bilateral relations can be seen from the frequent visits of VIPs, a large volume of investment and trade between the two countries, various economic cooperation projects and cultural and student exchanges.

Masaki Konishi, the ambassador of Japan to Malaysia

Japan was the second largest trading partner for Malaysia in 2002, the largest source of imports and the third largest export destination. As for education exchange, about 1,900 Malaysian students are studying in Japan at present. Malaysians make up the fourth largest foreign student group in Japan after China, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan.

The Japan Festival in Malaysia, which is an annual event to introduce Japanese culture and Japan-related information to the Malaysian people, is in its 11th year now and enjoys large support across the country.

In addition, Prime Minster Mahathir has made over 50 visits to Japan, and he meets with the Japanese prime minister takes place practically every year.

WER: In what ways would you like to see relations continue to strengthen between the two nations? What is being done - or needs to be done - to see these things happen?

Konishi: There are many areas that Japan and Malaysia can work together for mutual benefit. The comprehensive economic partnership between Japan and Malaysia is expected to contribute to the further development of both economies. Japan and Malaysia can also work together to further promote South-South cooperation. The Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III) to be held in October will be a good opportunity for this purpose.

Being active members of ASEAN + 3, Japan and Malaysia can cooperate for the development of the regional community in East Asia. Coping with terrorism is yet another area that I hope to see the cooperation continue to strengthen.

WER: From your vantage point, what business areas in Malaysia offer opportunities for Japanese companies looking to invest here?

Konishi: Malaysia has been the manufacturing base for many Japanese electric and electronic products due to, among other factors, its disciplined and well-educated human resources. Manufacturing still is the pillar of Malaysia's strengths, attracting Japanese companies - as well as many Malaysian companies, particularly in support industries that directly assist Japanese companies in areas such as mold dies, metal stamping and plastic injection.

As Japanese companies cope with increasingly tough competition on a global scale, they tend to make investments in countries that provide the most promising opportunities in terms of cost efficiency and market size. More and more Japanese companies investing in Malaysia are targeting not only the Malaysian market, but also an increasingly integrated ASEAN market.

In my view, Malaysia, with its human resources more effectively utilized in such areas as R&D, is well positioned to make the best use of a more integrated ASEAN market as a manufacturing and innovating hub for high-tech projects.

WER: What do you feel Malaysia can learn from Japan - and what do you feel Japan can learn from Malaysia?

Konishi: While the macro-economic situation in Japan has been sluggish for over a decade, Japan still has some of the best manufacturing companies in the world with the most advanced technologies. This is seen in areas including automobiles, robotics, electronics, nano-technology and environmental technology. Success stories by various Japanese companies in our age of globalization may also give Malaysian business leaders some inspiration for better management skills. How Japan copes with its rapidly aging society can be of interest to Malaysia as well.

As for Japan, Malaysia's experience as a multi-ethnic and multicultural society may help Japan find its solution to dealing with an increasing number of foreign immigrants to the country. The introduction of English in the early stage of education is another area in which Japan can look to Malaysia. Japan can also learn form Malaysia's active participation in UN peace-keeping operations.

WER: The Prime Minister is stepping down in October. Please comment on his contributions to the current state of relations between Japan and Malaysia.

Konishi: Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir has been, and remains, a great friend of Japan. The excellent bilateral relations Japan and Malaysia enjoy today are due in large part to his personal contributions.

His deep understanding of Japan and his friendship toward the Japanese people have made it possible to establish cordial working relations at the leadership level for over 20 years.

From the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, he showed strong leadership and vigorously invited Japanese investment in Malaysia. This resulted in investments by many Japanese companies including a number of Japanese multinational corporations such as Matsushita, Sony and Hitachi. As of October 1, 2002 there were 1,433 Japanese companies in Malaysia.

The Look East Policy, initiated by Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir, has been a symbol of the firm relationship between Japan and Malaysia. More than 7,000 students and trainees have been sent to Japan in order to learn work ethics and upgrade their technical knowledge and skills. Upon returning from Japan, those diligent students and able managers have contributed not only to the national development of Malaysia but also to the strengthening of cordial relations at a grassroots level.

I am hopeful that those "Children of Dr. Mahathir" under this important policy will continue to foster the strong and amicable Japan-Malaysia relations in the future.

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