Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be undertaking a working visit to Fukuoka and Oita in Japan from tomorrow until Aug 9. 

Wisma Putra in a statement today said Mahathir will be accompanied by his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Education Minister Maszlee Malik and Transport Minister Anthony Loke, as well as Foreign Ministry officials.

During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to deliver his keynote address at the Japan Future Leaders School and Kyushu Asian Institute of Leadership. 

Wisma Putra said Mahathir will also be meeting Japan Prime Minister's Special Advisor Hiroto Izumi and visit the Kyushu Railway Company Safety Creation Centre and Groovenauts Inc Technology Park in Fukuoka, and the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Oita.

"The visit will allow the prime minister to meet and have meaningful discussions with young Japanese leaders. 

"It will also allow Malaysia to enhance its bilateral cooperation with Japan, especially in the fields of education, technology and transportation."

Wisma Putra also said Malaysia and Japan continue to maintain close bilateral relations in many areas of cooperation. 

In 2017, the total bilateral trade between the two countries was recorded at RM138.5 billion, an increase of 14.7 percent as compared to 2016. 

Japan is Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner after China, Singapore and the United States.

- Bernama