MUFG N0W Spotlights Japan-Malaysia Partnership as Critical to Asia’s Energy Security and Transition

MALAYSIA, 17 Sept 2026 – Close to 200 business leaders, policymakers and industry  experts convened at MUFG Net Zero World (MUFG N0W) Malaysia 2026 at Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Sept 15) to explore how closer Japan-Malaysia collaboration can strengthen  regional energy security, accelerate the deployment of transition technologies and  mobilise financing for commercially viable projects. 

MUFG N0W is MUFG’s flagship regional networking and thought leadership platform  bringing together public and private-sector leaders to advance 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 examined three connected priorities:  strengthening the Japan-Malaysia energy and industrial corridor; building Malaysia’s future  energy ecosystem; and making energy security bankable through transition finance. 

The event programme covered emerging opportunities in areas including carbon capture  and storage, hydrogen, renewable energy, sustainable aviation fuel, power infrastructure  and transition finance, with a focus on moving from dialogue to investable projects. 

His Excellency Noriyuki Shikata, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, highlighted the strength  of the Japan-Malaysia partnership in his keynote speech: “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.”  

Puan Zuaida Abdullah, Deputy CEO, Investment Development, Malaysian Investment  Development Authority (MIDA), said in her policy address: “The global energy transition is  reshaping economic competitiveness and investment priorities. Building on decades of  partnership, Malaysia and Japan can leverage technology and green industries to   strengthen our industrial capabilities, directly supporting 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 added.  

MUFG Malaysia’s CEO’s Remarks

Motohide Okuda, MUFG Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer and Country Head said: “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.” 

Attendees at MUFG N0W Malaysia included speakers from leading energy players as well  as experts from the Institute of Energy Economics Japan, Asian Development Bank and  Japan Bank for International Cooperation. 

MUFG’s presence in Malaysia dates to 1957, and the bank will mark its 70^th year of service  in the market in 2027. Over this period, MUFG has supported Japanese companies investing  and expanding in Malaysia, while connecting Malaysian clients with opportunities across  Japan, ASEAN and its wider global network. Its capabilities span conventional and Islamic  banking, including establishing an Islamic banking arm in 2008 – the first Japanese bank to  do so in Malaysia – and contributing to the world’s first Yen-denominated Sukuk. 

In addition to engaging corporate clients through MUFG N0W, the bank has also actively  collaborated with them on transactions ranging from green financing and sustainability linked loans to green trade. MUFG Malaysia was awarded Best Sustainable Bank (International) by FinanceAsia in 2024 and “Best Sustainable Finance Deal (Malaysia)” in  2025 for its collaboration with AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad, recognising Malaysia’s  largest social loan by a non-bank financial institution to date.