JAPAN SEES MALAYSIA AS KEY PLAYER IN GREEN TRANSFORMATION, DATA INVESTMENTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Japan views Malaysia as a key player in advancing its green transformation and emerging as a major hub for data centre investments, said Japanese Ambassador-designate to Malaysia, Noriyuki Shikata.

He underlined the growing importance of hydrogen energy and sustainable transport solutions in driving green transformation, while also pointing to Malaysia’s strategic position in the digital economy.

"There are energies for green transformation in Malaysia. Of course, the design is so dependent on elements of technologies available nowadays, including hydrogen and how we manage transport."

Shikata said this during a forum titled 'Japan’s Foreign Policy Evolution, Global South Aspirations and Malaysia’s Perspective' held at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia here, Tuesday.

He further noted that Malaysia is also fast becoming a regional leader in data centre investments, drawing interest from major companies across the globe.

"In terms of investments, there are emerging interests in data centres (as well). 

"Malaysia is going to become the largest concentration of data centres among the region. We are seeing also semiconductor investments from the United States (US), Japan, Germany, Taiwan, South Korea and even Chinese companies,” he said.

The forum, organised by ISIS Malaysia also attended by ISIS Malaysia chairman Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Japan’s Research Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs (RIIPA) Chairman Prof Tosh Minohara and HELP University Pro-Chancellor Dr Zakaria  Ahmad.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Shikata said Japan places significant importance on fostering cooperation with Global South countries, including Malaysia, to promote a free and open international order based on the rule of law and human dignity.

"As the world is at its crossroads, Japan places significant importance on fostering cooperation with Global South countries, including Malaysia. 

"This collaboration aims to uphold and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, ensuring a world where human dignity is respected and protected," he added.

On a similar note, Mohd Faiz said Malaysia and Japan must strengthen their close cooperation and mutual respect to navigate the global challenges that threaten peace, stability, and prosperity.

"It is imperative for both nations to fall back on the close cooperation, mutual respect, and warm friendship that have bonded us for decades. 

"Our bilateral relations, which began with close economic cooperation, have grown to encompass people-to-people interaction and, of late, stronger ties in the defence and security sphere," he said.

-- BERNAMA