Newsletter No. 766
News-Analysis
October 14, 2007

 

AMBASSADOR HORIE PROMOTES MALAYSIA-JAPAN TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

Ambassador Masahiko Horie was a busy man while posted in Qatar. He was mentioned in Shingetsu Newsletter Nos. 265, 444, and 732. In particular, in Newsletter No. 265 we reported about Horie’s eagerness to establish Japanese universities in Qatar and to spread Japanese-language education.

Horie arrived at his new post in Malaysia at the beginning of this month, and is already undertaking a similar initiative. Bernama quotes Horie as follows: “I would like to see the establishment of the Malaysia-Japan International University of Technology during my tenure in the country… During my three-year tenure in Qatar, I was asked by the Emir to help establish a Japanese school based on elements of the Japanese methods of education. Even then the school isn't fully established. These things take time.”

Speaking more broadly about Japan-Malaysia relations, Ambassador Horie observed: “This relationship has evolved, transformed and changed completely today. Today Malaysia has very succesful economic development, is a mature and developed country which has led to equal partnership between our two nations… The [Japan-Malaysia] partnership lies not only on economic terms but also on regional and maritime security, political as well as environmental issues.”

Before his tenure as Ambassador to Qatar (2004-2007) Horie served as director-general of international affairs for the Japan Defense Agency and chairman for the Tokyo Defense Forum.

Plywood Market Key

One of the issues that Ambassador Horie will be dealing with in Kuala Lumpur will be the issue of plywood supplies to Japan as well as the associated environmental consequences of that trade. The ambassador has already told the media that he wants to establish a framework of trilateral cooperation between Japan, Malaysia, and Madagascar on forest conservation.

Meanwhile, it turns out that Sarawak is already reducing plywood production by 20% to 25% due to falling demand in Japan. Said Sarawak Timber Association panel products committee chairman Stephen Lau: “The plywood market has weakened substantially since the beginning of this year because of a new housing law in Japan… Japan is now over-stocked with plywood and this has caused our market to weaken." Almost 60% of the Sarawak Timber Association’s plywood is exported to the Japanese market.

TARO NAKAYAMA ATTENDED INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS IN KUALA LUMPUR

Former Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama was dispatched by MOFA as “Ambassador on Special Mission” to attend the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the independence of Malaysia held in Kuala Lumpur on August 31st. Apparently, nothing of unusual note occurred.