THE outgoing Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Makio Miyagawa appreciates the good ties shared between Penang, Malaysia and Japan.
“Last year, Japan was the biggest investor in Penang and for many years both our nations (Malaysia and Japan) have been making good collaboration with each other,’’ said Miyagawa during his courtesy visit on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at his office this evening.
“We used to have direct flights from Penang to Japan, but due to some reasons they got suspended and we hope that in the near future they will be resumed.
“The relationship between the two industries (Malaysia and Japan) has been further strengthened by the frequent visit of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Japan,’’ added Miyagawa, who will be completing his tenure in Malaysia by the end of this month.
Chow said the frequent visits by Dr Mahathir to Japan are a testimony of the prime minister’s confidence in Japan.
Miyagawa also shared that Japan would like to assist Penang with regard to the LRT project (under the Penang Transport Master Plan) in the state.
“This is a good project undertaken by the state government and I hope it would help to ease the traffic congestion in Penang.
“Apart from that, the Japanese biggest hospital has already committed to setting up a branch in Penang with the collaboration of Hunza Properties,’’ Miyagawa said.
Also present during the friendly meet up was Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Japan consul-general Shinichiro Kanoya, second secretary of the Japanese embassy in Kuala Lumpur Yuta Saito, representatives from Mitsui Fudosan (Asia) Malaysia Sdn Bhd Kohei Kawashima (general manager of leasing department) and Masanori Shinohara (general manager of development department).
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi