21/08/2026

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FRIDAY | AUG 21, 2026

Japan, M’sia urged to turn challenges into opportunities o Tokyo’s ambassador says the two countries can leverage each other’s strengths and deepen cooperation in technology, energy and security

█ BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Japan and Malaysia can turn shared challenges into shared opportunities and help build resilient, responsible and future ready enterprises across Asia by combining Japan’s technological and industrial excellence with increasingly more competitive, multi lingual educational institutions. Japan ambassador to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki said Malaysia has strengths in its dynamism, connectivity and talent, and Japan has reinforced its strong commitment to Asean and Malaysia under Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s leadership. “In this context, Takaichi’s growth strategy identifies 17 strategic fields, including green transformation, energy security, AI, semi conductors and others. These fields are advanced through digital transformation and public private cooperation, focusing on sustainable investment in crisis management and growth. “Many of these areas align closely with Malaysia’s policy priorities. Japan and Malaysia’s cooperation focuses on the four key areas as integral components,” Noriyuki told delegates at the 2026 Asia Economic & Entrepreneurship Summit yesterday. Touching on technology and industrial transformation, Noriyuki said Malaysia has established itself as a key player in the global semiconductor ecosystem, accounting for approximately 13% of global semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging. He said this cements Malaysia’s shift into higher-value front-end semiconductor projects beyond traditional assembly and testing, in cooperation with a Japanese edge semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging. Japanese companies complement this by leading in advanced materials, precision engineering, and manufacturing technologies. “Together, these strengths form a robust regional technology ecosystem,” he added. Within this domain, Noriyuki noted that cooperation between the two countries extends to AI and digital technologies, exemplified by the establishment of the Japan-Malaysia AI Platform in June, which fosters co-creation of AI solutions as well as AI safety and security. In June, Tokyo Artisan Intelligence Co Ltd, a Japanese edge AI startup from Tokyo Tohoku University, announced a strategic collaboration framework agreement with Oppstar Tech nology Sdn Bhd, a prominent Malaysian integrated circuit design company, to co develop low-power, reconfigurable edge AI SHAH ALAM: Uncertainty over petrol and diesel prices amid geopolitical tensions is streng thening the case for logistics and other commercial operators to switch to electric vehicles, according to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching ( pic ). “Nowadays, petrol and diesel prices face a lot of uncertainty due to the geopolitical situation in West Asia. EVs are greener and clearly better for the environment, so the government remains committed to promoting EVs, whether for private users or commercial vehicles,” she said at the introduction of 10 electric delivery vehicles by SPX Express at its Bukit Raja Selatan Sorting Centre here yesterday. Malaysia has set a broader target for electrified vehicles to account for at least 20% of new passenger and commercial vehicle sales by 2030, rising to 50% by 2040 and 80% by 2050. However, no specific target has been revealed for the electrification of courier or last-mile delivery fleets. █ BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Japan and Malaysia – including the Strait of Malacca, the South China Sea and the East China Sea – are vital for trade, energy security, and economic well-being. “Ensuring these remain safe, secure, and open is a shared priority. Japan and Malaysia, as maritime nations, are committed to the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and peaceful resolution of disputes. Strengthening maritime security and safety contributes to regional stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” Noriyuki said. He also emphasised the importance of people-to-people ties. “While technology, energy, and security are crucial,the foundation of our relationship is built upon people-to-people connections. Governments create regulatory frameworks, but lasting relationships are built by students, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and citizens learning and working together. “These ties facilitate collaboration across industries, research, resilient governance, and promote a sustainable, prosperous future. “In summary, these four key areas – technology and industrial transformation, energy security and transition, maritime security and safety and regional stability, and people-to-people ties – form the pillars of Japan-Malaysia cooperation,” Noriyuki said. Looking to 2027, Noriyuki said the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Malaysia will be an excellent occasion to reflect on the achievements of both countries and deepen creative collaboration. The 2026 Asia Economic & Entrepreneurship Summit, now in its 10th year, brought together over 150 business leaders, economists, policy experts and entrepreneurs against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, energy and commodity shocks, shifting capital flows and increasingly fractured global trade. electric delivery vehicles support different stages of the parcel journey. Together, they demonstrate how investment across the entire logistics chain can strengthen the infrastructure that supports Malaysia’s digital economy.” Teo said reliable logistics was particularly important for micro, small and medium enterprises as dependable delivery networks could allow them to reach customers beyond their immediate markets. “For an entrepreneur, it can create oppor tunities to expand beyond the local market. For a consumer, it means having greater access to goods and services through a delivery network they can rely on.” Teo said digital connectivity enabled businesses to participate in the online economy, while logistics networks connected that digital participation to the physical economy. “The success of Malaysia’s digital economy should therefore not be measured by its overall growth, it should also be measured by its ability to create meaningful opportunities for local entrepreneurs, micro businesses and SMEs.” - SEE ALSO PAGE 14

Noriyuki delivering his opening keynote address at the 2026 Asia Economic and Entrepreneurship Summit in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

“Malaysia also serves as a trusted energy partner to Japan, particularly through liquefied natural gas supply. Both countries are committed to advancing a sustainable energy future. I believe efforts are in place to develop Malaysia as a production hub for green hydrogen and ammonia, aligning with Japan’s green transformation strategy,” the ambassador said. “In addition, Malaysia’s tropical climate supports projects involving algae-derived bio based feedstocks and sustainable aviation fuel, contributing further to clean energy goals.” Further, he said Japan and Malaysia must focus on maritime security and safety, as well as regional stability. The sea lanes connecting

semiconductor chips. Furthermore, the growing collaboration in critical minerals and rare earth supply chains, which are vital for semiconductors, electric vehicles, and clean energy technologies, supports supply chain resilience and diversification. Noriyuki said there are also opportunities for Japan and Malaysia to work together in various related strategic fields including advanced medical research such as clinical drug discovery, quantum technology, materials science, disaster preparedness, and satellite data utilisation. The animation and content industries, smart agriculture, shipping and shipbuilding are promising sectors under this umbrella, he added.

Petrol, diesel price uncertainty fuels logistics players’ switch to EVs

adopted simply for the sake of being innovative. What matters is how effectively new solutions can be applied to address real challenges and improve existing conditions.” She also highlighted the im

Teo said the growing number of Malaysians making online purchases was creating greater demand for last-mile deliveries and, con sequently, more delivery vehicles.

“More and more people are making purchases online, which means more vehicles are needed to make last-mile deliveries.” She said her ministry welcomed SPX Express’ initiative to introduce greener vehicles into its operations, adding that she believed other logistics companies also had similar initiatives. “We are happy that SPX

portance of logistics infrastructure to Malaysia’s growing digital economy, saying every online transaction ultimately depends on physical infra structure to move goods from businesses to consumers. “Behind every parcel is an interconnected system of collection, sorting, transportation and last-mile

delivery,“ Teo said. “The strength of our digital economy therefore depends not only on digital platforms and connectivity, but also on reliable logistics networks that connect businesses with consumers.” She pointed to SPX Express’ RM63.2 million investment in advanced automated sorting technology at the Bukit Raja Selatan facility, which she said enables the centre to process more than two million parcels a day. “The automated sorting system and the

Express, as one of the largest delivery companies in Malaysia, is taking the initiative to use greener vehicles to reduce environmental pollution.” The 10 EVs will be integrated into SPX Express’ daily delivery network across the Klang Valley, allowing the company to gain practical insights into their performance across different routes and operating conditions. Teo said technology adoption should be driven by practical needs rather than innovation for its own sake. “Technology should not be