Kuala Lumpur, Dec 11 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is to make a working visit to Tokyo from Thursday to Sunday in conjunction with the summit marking the 40th anniversary of Asean-Japan dialogue relations.
He will be accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, said a Foreign Ministry statement.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin and officials from the ministry and relevant government agencies would also be in the delegation, it said.
The statement said the leaders of the 10 Asean nations and Japan were expected to re-emphasise at the summit on Saturday their close and long-standing relations besides signing three documents that outline programmes and activities to strengthen their relations.
These documents are the Vision Statement of Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, its Implementation Plan, and the Joint Statement of the Asean-Japan Summit.
Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan are scheduled to mark the occasion by hosting an afternoon tea reception on Friday at the Imperial Palace.
Najib and Rosmah are also scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and his wife, Akie Abe.
The statement said the summit will begin with a photography session. This will be followed a welcome speech by Abe and remarks by the Asean leaders.
Najib, who is also the finance minister, is scheduled to have bilateral talks with Abe, after which they will hold a joint news conference.
“The prime minister (Najib) is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address and open the 32nd conference of the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (Majeca) and the Japan-Malaysia Economic Association (Jameca),” the statement said.
Top officers of Nikkei Inc, Sumitomo Corporation, Sekisui Chemical, Mitsui & Co. Ltd, Kawasaki Heavy Industry Ltd and Toshiba Corp are scheduled to call on Najib, it said.
Najib is also scheduled to meet Malaysian students in Japan and launch the Tokyo branch of 1Malaysia for Youth (1M4U), which is expected to draw an attendance of more than 150 students.
Najib and Rosmah are scheduled to return to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
– Bernama
