PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first overseas trip to Japan will be a good opportunity to understand the fundamental policies of the Pakatan Harapan government, said Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Makio Miyagawa.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Council of Eminent Persons chairman Daim Zainuddin, he said the Japanese government is honoured to host Dr Mahathir in Tokyo for the 24th International Conference on The Future of Asia from June 11-12.

“This is going to be a very good opportunity for us to hear from him the fundamental policies of the new administration.

“He emphasised that he would like to resuscitate the Look East policy. It’s a good opportunity for us to discuss it,” he said.

He added that apart from the industrial revolution, the Look East policy also includes matters pertaining to education, safety and security.

“I think the two prime ministers will discuss in general terms the reinvigoration of the collaboration between the two countries,” he said.

During Dr Mahathir’s first stint as prime minister from 1981-2003, he introduced the Look East policy, which created a benchmark for Malaysia-Japan bilateral relations.

Japan is Malaysia’s largest foreign direct investment (FDI) contributor. Last year, its FDI in Malaysia was approximately US$13 billion (RM51.7 billion).

Dr Mahathir said he planned to reignite the Look East policy that he introduced back in the 1980s during his visit to Japan.

The proposed Japan trip next week would be the first official foreign engagement for Dr Mahathir since being appointed as the seventh prime minister of Malaysia. – June 7, 2018.