TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim are expected to affirm deeper cooperation in energy-related fields in talks on Wednesday, as Japan seeks to diversify supplies amid the Middle East conflict.
The two leaders are expected to discuss ensuring stable liquefied natural gas exports to Japan and stronger supply chains for critical minerals amid uncertainty surrounding the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for energy transport, according to Japanese officials.
Furthering defense cooperation is also likely to be on the agenda at the summit in Tokyo as Japan promotes its vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of China's increasing regional assertiveness.
According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the two countries are expected to issue a joint statement after the first summit talks between Takaichi and Anwar since October.
Japan and Malaysia have been strengthening their "comprehensive strategic" partnership.
Malaysia is a key energy exporter for resource-poor Japan, accounting for around 15 percent of its LNG supplies. Most crude oil bound for Japan also travels through the Strait of Malacca, a key trade route between Malaysia and Indonesia.
To Malaysia, Japan is a major exporter of electrical equipment and auto parts.
Under its official security assistance framework designed to support like-minded countries, Japan has provided defensive equipment such as rescue boats and surveillance drones to Malaysia.
Takaichi and Anwar previously held talks in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related summit meetings in October.
