Dr Mahathir will discuss ‘Look East’ policy in Japan trip

(MMO) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he planned to enter talks with Japan on the “Look East” policy during his visit there soon.

The prime minister also said his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, was keen to meet with him when he visits Japan on June 11.

“We will not be talking about anything substantial, we just want to strengthen the relationship between Malaysia and Japan,” he told reporters after chairing a closed-door Pakatan Harapan meeting here.

Aside from the “Look East” policy, he said they would likely discuss investments from Japan.

The Langkawi MP said he visits Japan annually to talk about the future of Asia at the annual Nikkei Conference.

“Since I’m going there and since I’m the new prime minister, Abe has invited me to meet him when I’m there,” he said.

Dr Mahathir introduced the “Look East” policy when he became the fourth prime minister back in 1981.

The policy was to encourage Malaysians in Japan to bring back knowledge from Japan along with the Japanese work ethics, discipline and punctuality.