Japan wants tougher action on cross-border threats

BANGI: Japan called for stronger adherence to the rule of law and closer coordination among Asean countries to tackle cross-border threats, including maritime security challenges and transnational scam operations.

Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki said Japan wanted to work with Malaysia and other regional partners to uphold a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Speaking at the Tuanku Chancellor International Conference on Law 2026, which was attended by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) chancellor Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and his two sons, Shikata said attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the South China Sea remained a regional concern.

He added that scam operations were spreading into Malaysia, with young Japanese allegedly recruited through deceptive job advertisements.

Japan had initially believed such operations were concentrated in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, but they were now emerging in Malaysia, he said.

"This is something we need to collaborate (on) with the legal authorities of both countries, including police."

He stressed the importance of coordination among Malaysian agencies and said Japan had worked with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to bring nearly 10 Malaysian government agencies together to discuss the threat.

Japan was also strengthening maritime security ties with Malaysia, including support for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and cooperation between the countries' coast guards.