MUFG N0W highlights Japan-Malaysia partnership as key to Asia’s energy security

KUALA LUMPUR 17 Sept — Closer cooperation between Japan and Malaysia could strengthen Asia’s energy security, accelerate the deployment of transition technologies and mobilise financing for commercially viable projects, according to MUFG Bank.

Nearly 200 business leaders, policymakers and industry experts gathered at MUFG Net Zero World (MUFG N0W) Malaysia 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday to discuss opportunities arising from the partnership between the two countries.

MUFG N0W is the banking group’s flagship regional networking and thought-leadership platform, bringing together public and private-sector leaders to develop practical responses to the challenges and opportunities shaping Asia’s sustainable development.

Held under the theme Powering Asia’s Future: Enhancing Japan-Malaysia Partnership for Energy Security and Transition, the event focused on three interconnected priorities.

These comprised strengthening the Japan-Malaysia energy and industrial corridor, developing Malaysia’s future energy ecosystem and making energy security projects bankable through transition financing.

Moving from dialogue to investable projects

Discussions covered emerging opportunities in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, renewable energy, sustainable aviation fuel, power infrastructure and transition finance.

The programme placed particular emphasis on converting policy discussions and technological opportunities into commercially viable and investable projects.

Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said advanced Japanese technology and capital were flowing into Malaysia through investments in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, supply-chain resilience and green transformation.

“Japan’s advanced technology and capital are actively flowing into Malaysia through proactive investments in AI, semiconductors, supply chain resilience and green transformation, as well as in almost all of the 17 strategic sectors identified by the country as crucial for its growth.

“This is clear evidence of the qualitative and quantitative expansion of our economic ties and presents a bright outlook for the future,” he said in his keynote address.

Supporting Malaysia’s industrial ambitions

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Investment Development Zuaida Abdullah said the global energy transition was reshaping economic competitiveness and investment priorities.

She said Malaysia and Japan could build on their decades-long partnership by leveraging technology and green industries to strengthen Malaysia’s industrial capabilities.

This collaboration would directly support the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, National Energy Transition Roadmap and Green Investment Strategy.

“MIDA is committed to turning these opportunities into high-quality investments that drive lasting value for Malaysia,” she said in her policy address.

MUFG Malaysia Chief Executive Officer and Country Head Motohide Okuda said meaningful progress would depend on stakeholders moving beyond discussions towards implementation.

“The opportunities ahead are significant, but real progress will depend on our ability to move from discussion to implementation.

“At MUFG, we are committed to connecting stakeholders, mobilising capital and supporting strategic partnerships that can transform promising ideas into investable projects.

“By working together, we can strengthen energy security, advance the transition journey and support sustainable economic growth across the region,” he said.

The event also featured representatives from leading energy companies and experts from the Institute of Energy Economics Japan, Asian Development Bank and Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

MUFG approaches 70 years in Malaysia

MUFG’s presence in Malaysia dates back to 1957, with the bank set to mark its 70th year of operations in the country in 2027.

Over the decades, MUFG has supported Japanese companies investing and expanding in Malaysia while connecting Malaysian clients with opportunities across Japan, ASEAN and its broader global network.

Its services span conventional and Islamic banking. MUFG established an Islamic banking arm in 2008, becoming the first Japanese bank to do so in Malaysia, and subsequently contributed to the world’s first yen-denominated sukuk.

Beyond its MUFG N0W engagement platform, the bank has collaborated with corporate clients on transactions ranging from green financing and sustainability-linked loans to green trade.

MUFG Malaysia was named FinanceAsia’s Best Sustainable Bank (International) in 2024.

It also received the publication’s Best Sustainable Finance Deal (Malaysia) award in 2025 for its collaboration with AEON Credit Service (M) Bhd involving what was described as Malaysia’s largest social loan by a non-bank financial institution to date. — DagangNews.com