Malaysia-Japan Bilateral Trade Rises 11.8% to US$23.3 Billion in First Seven Months of 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Japan increased by 11.8 per cent year-on-year to US$23.3 billion in the first seven months of 2026, driven by decades of strong economic cooperation and deep investment ties.

Speaking at the 43rd Joint Conference of the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and Japan-Malaysia Economic Association (JAMECA) today, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani highlighted Japan’s enduring position as one of Malaysia’s most vital trading and investment partners. He noted that Japanese investments have delivered crucial technology and management expertise, fortified domestic supply chains, and successfully integrated local businesses into global manufacturing networks.

Johari stated that Malaysia aims to further revitalize and deepen its economic partnership with Japan, moving beyond traditional models to target high-impact future opportunities.

“We want to restore and surpass the level of ambition, intensity and confidence that once defined Malaysia-Japan relations. This does not mean recreating models of the past, but applying them to suit opportunities of the future,” he said.

The minister pointed to strong economic complementarities between the two nations, particularly in food and energy security, as well as building resilient critical supply chains. He invited Japanese industry leaders to leverage emerging opportunities within ASEAN and support Malaysia’s energy transition through renewable energy expansion, innovative energy technologies, and future-ready infrastructure.

Furthermore, Johari emphasized Malaysia’s goal of expanding local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into global supply chains while moving up into increasingly sophisticated segments of the semiconductor value chain by drawing on Japan’s technical capabilities.

–NMT