21 April 2025 – The Special Select Committee on Social and Community Affairs of the House of Councillors, Parliament of Malaysia, led by H.E. Senator Datuk Wira Dr. Mohd Hatta bin Md Ramli, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ueno Michiko, Secretary-General of the Japan-ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Exchange Group. Also present was Mr. Anwar Udzir, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Malaysia in Japan.
During the meeting, both parties engaged in a constructive exchange of views on strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, particularly in the areas of social development, healthcare, and community resilience. H.E. Senator Dr. Mohd Hatta also took the opportunity to promote Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, outlining Malaysia’s vision of a people-centred, resilient, and forward-looking ASEAN.
H.E. Ueno acknowledged Malaysia’s leadership and expressed Japan’s readiness to work closely with ASEAN during Malaysia’s chairmanship, especially in advancing shared goals in social policy and regional cooperation.
The discussion underscored the importance of legislative dialogue in supporting informed policy making and promoting closer ties between ASEAN and Japan. Both sides expressed confidence in continued inter-parliamentary exchanges and collaboration under the broader ASEAN-Japan framework.