Business : Malaysia-Japan Trade Up 11.8 Pct To US$23.3 Bln In Jan-July 2026 - Johari

In the first seven months of 2026, Malaysia and Japan saw a 11.8% increase in bilateral trade, reaching a total of US$23.3 billion compared to the same period last year, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Japan remains an important trading and investment partner for Malaysia, owing to the long history of economic cooperation between the two nations.

This growth has enabled Malaysia to integrate into global manufacturing networks, as Japan's investments have brought in technology, management skills, and strengthened domestic supply chains. Johari addressed the 43rd MAJECA-JAMECA Joint Conference, where he mentioned that Malaysia aims to elevate and surpass its ambitions in economic collaboration with Japan.

He stressed that this does not involve replicating past models but adapting them to meet future opportunities. Both countries share common economic priorities, such as food and energy security, along with the resilience of critical supply chains. Japan can leverage its expertise to aid Malaysia in expanding renewable energy, adopting new energy technologies, and developing future-ready infrastructure.

The Minister further highlighted that Malaysia's local companies should develop their technological capabilities and become suppliers not only to multinational corporations within Malaysia but also to global supply chains. Additionally, Japan has capabilities that could assist Malaysia in transitioning into more complex segments of the semiconductor value chain.