ANKARA

Japan will provide rescue boats to the Malaysian military under the official security assistance and also offered surveillance drones to Kuala Lumpur, local media said on Saturday.

During the meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Tokyo, the two leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, Kyodo News reported.

Ibrahim is in Tokyo to participate in the special summit of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to commemorate 50 years of friendship and cooperation.

The three-days summit is starting Saturday with the attendance of leaders from ASEAN countries.

"The latest assistance offered to Malaysia by Japan, which has a war-renouncing constitution that prohibits the maintenance of military forces, is worth 400 million yen ($2.8 million). Tokyo will also offer surveillance drones to Kuala Lumpur," Kyodo News reported citing a Foreign Ministry statement.

Malaysia also became the third country to join the official security assistance after the Philippines and Bangladesh.

The official security assistance was launched by Japan in April this year for like-minded countries that share fundamental values.

On his part, Ibrahim said that the two side also announced upgrading of Malaysia-Japan bilateral relations to the comprehensive strategic partnership, which will open up more cooperation opportunities in various fields including economy, defense, security, science, and technology.

"We also discussed ways to further develop cooperation in trade and investment, education, defense, energy, and the environment," the Malaysian premier said on X.

"I also use the opportunity to appreciate Japan's support and solidarity with Malaysia against the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that demands an immediate cease-fire," he added.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid