Visit from His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki, the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia.
I had the honour of receiving a visit from His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki, the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia. Our discussions touched on a broad spectrum of shared aspirations, from digital transformation and green growth to higher education and trade connectivity.
We also delved into pressing global challenges such as climate change, and discussed how Selangor is taking proactive steps, including policy and legislative considerations, in response to incidents like the recent tragedy in Putra Heights. Strengthening public safety and resilience remains a top priority.
Public transportation and connectivity featured prominently in our conversation. I shared Selangor’s admiration for Japan’s efficient and people-centric transportation system, something we hope to emulate as we continue improving mobility and accessibility in our state.
Selangor also recognizes the growing importance of the care economy in an ageing society and is exploring how to better support this sector through innovation and community partnerships.
On the economic front, we reaffirmed the strong ties between Selangor and Japan, particularly in advancing halal trade and sustainable investment. We also exchanged views on the broader implications of US tariffs and agreed that Southeast Asian nations should respond to such shifts as a united coalition through ASEAN.
I also informed His Excellency that the Bon Odori Festival has been officially included in the Selangor Tourism calendar each year, a celebration that reflects the rich cultural ties and enduring friendship between our peoples.
A key highlight of the engagement was Selangor’s upcoming participation in the Osaka Expo 2025, where we will proudly represent Malaysia and showcase Selangor’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development on the world stage.
This visit marks another step forward in building deeper, strategic ties between Selangor and Japan, unlocking new pathways for collaboration within ASEAN and beyond.
