Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Maeda Toru reaffirmed the deepening bilateral cooperation between the Sultanate and Japan in people-to-people exchanges, defence and maritime security, trade, investment and healthcare during a reception to celebrate the 64th birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito, Emperor of Japan yesterday.
Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh was the guest of honour at the event held at The Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong.
The hightlight of the ceremony saw Japanese ambassador presented a souvenir to the guest of honour.
The ambassador said the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations is a milestone and will be celebrated with several exchange of visits between the two countries that began in the second half of last year.
Ambassador Maeda recalled the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, to Japan to meet His Majesty Emperor Naruhito in December 2023. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida while Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah met Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito and Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof met Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
A Japan-Brunei joint press statement was issued, reaffirming the commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation that focuses on people-to-people exchanges; defence, maritime cooperation and rule of law; and energy and climate change.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Prime Minister Kishida agreed to make this year the Japan-Brunei friendship year. To symbolise the friendship, the Japanese government has invited His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office to visit Japan in March.
Ambassador Maeda said Brunei and Japan have seen countless people-to-people exchanges over the last 40 years. To accelerate the exchanges, the two governments are finalising the arrangement to extend the visa-free period for passport holders from 14 days to 30 days, he added.
The envoy also said defence and maritime security cooperation has been deepening in the past few years, particularly the signing of a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) on defence cooperation which led to the initiation of the Japan-Brunei defence policy dialogue last year.
Ambassador Maeda said trade and investment, especially in the energy sector, have contributed to the prosperity of both countries, laying a solid foundation for long-lasting partnership, adding that since Brunei’s independence, Japan has been one of the largest trading partners. Notably, 80 per cent of the Brunei’s liquefied natural gas export went to Japan in 2022.
The envoy said there has been increased cooperation in energy transition as well as the diversification of Brunei’s economy. A MoC on the realisation of energy transition was signed last year that will see further cooperation in energy, energy transition as well as climate change in a comprehensive and realistic manner. He said 18 Japanese companies are operating in Brunei, contributing to economic diversification such as methanol production and OCTG pipe threading services.
Ambassador Maeda said in healthcare, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar visited Japan last October to meet Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Keizo Takemi and visit Osaka University. – James Kon
