PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Japan aim to strengthen future collaboration in higher education, including the establishment of a branch campus of Tsukuba University in Malaysia, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has begun a tour of Malaysia and Indonesia as part of his effort to further strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as threats from China rise in the region.

Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is visiting Malaysia and Indonesia on his first bilateral state visit since taking office.

Japan and Indonesia have pledged to deepen economic and defense ties during a visit by the Japanese prime minister amid heightened global geopolitical tensions

Japan and Malaysia agreed at their summit on Friday to strengthen ties to ensure regional security based on the rule of law and build robust supply chains, seeking to cement their "strategic" partnership as China expands its influence in Asia and beyond.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was in Malaysia and met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Friday to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asian countries as China’s threats grow in the region.

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia and Japan will strengthen cooperation on energy security, with a focus on natural gas and hydrogen projects, as the two nations deepen economic ties to address shared challenges.