Japan believes in enhancing a rule-based and multilateral trade order

Q: What is Japan doing to ensure such a vision is put in place?

A: In terms of the actions I touched upon in the previous question, Japan has engaged in many infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region. One notable effort is our quality infrastructure investment in the Mekong region, where Japan has been contributing to the development of the “Southern Economic Corridor” and the “EastWest Economic Corridor”. These projects connect the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean across borders. The former also connects metropolitan cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Bangkok, and the latter creates connectivity between the inland areas of Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar to the two oceans. The roads and bridges that will be built by Japan for these corridors will contribute to doubling or even tripling the volume of commercial traffic as well as to reducing travel time by half. Additionally, the electronic customs clearance system Japan introduced in Vietnam and Myanmar has reduced processing time from 15 minutes to 1 to 3 seconds.

For maritime security cooperation, Japan has provided patrol vessels to littoral countries including Malaysia. We also have partnerships with foreign coast guard agencies and provide capacity-development assistance by means of dispatching experts and holding seminars. With regard to a rule-based order, Japan has been a major advocate of freedom of navigation and rulebased maritime order, including adherence to UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

We also subscribe to enhancing a rule-based and multilateral trade order. Notable recent efforts include the leading role Japan played in the entry into force of TPP11 (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), and the ongoing commitment to the early conclusion of a high quality RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership).

Q: How can Japan and Malaysia work together to make this vision happen?

A: Japan and Malaysia share common interests such as a rulebased international maritime order, and free and open international trade. The geographical location of Malaysia, which faces the South China Sea and connects the region to the Indian Ocean through the Straits of Malacca, gives it a central place in Indo-Pacific. Japan depends on international trade for its prosperity, and energy resources we import in particular rely heavily on the Straits of Malacca. In addition, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the prime minister of Malaysia, is the father of the Look East Policy, which has contributed to the development of young Malaysians by means of learning the values Japan embraces.

These common foundations of our bilateral relationship enable us to work closely together in achieving a free and open IndoPacific. As strong supporters and proponents of the principles comprising the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, Japan and Malaysia can make joint efforts in securing the maritime order, enhancing free trade and contributing to peace and security through both bilateral cooperation and advocacy in the international fora.