The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has announced that it has thus far secured RM4.68 billion (US$1.1 billion) of investment potentials from Japan. Specifically, the pledges were hauled at the ongoing Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan.

MIDA said they aim Malaysia aims to attract RM13 billion in investments and trade outcomes during the six-month-long expo. Malaysian officials led by Deputy Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof and YB Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Minisry (MITI) announced the accomplishment at Malaysia’s pavilion at the said expo.

YB Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of MITI stated, “Expo 2025 Osaka is the platform for Malaysia to demonstrate its value as a future-ready, innovation-driven and sustainability-conscious partner. The investment secured through MITI and MIDA reflects investor confidence in our green industries, advanced manufacturing, and digital economy.”

Drives Sustainability, Clean Energy

The Japan Expo 2025 is among the world’s premier economic and cultural forums, and Malaysia’s participation led by MITI. MIDA, on the other hand, said it would translate the national actions into concrete economic outcomes.

The RM4.68 billion in potential investments stems from a week-long investment mission to Japan, covering Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, and Tokyo from 12–19 April 2025. The mission involved direct one-on-one meetings with key Japanese corporates across priority sectors.

The Malaysia Pavilion spans 2,654.52 square meters and is expected to attract 1.5 million visitors over the course of the Expo. With the theme “Weaving a Future in Harmony”, the Pavilion showcases Malaysia’s intersection of cultural depth and technological ambition.

Over a period of six months, the Pavilion will serve as a venue for over 150 business engagements, including investor roundtables, MoU signings, product launches, and sectoral forums. Participation involves 21 ministries, 70 agencies, and representation from all 13 Malaysian states, reinforcing Malaysia’s integrated approach to global engagement.

Of the RM13 billion target in investment and trade outcomes at Expo 2025 Osaka, the country will focus on seven priority sectors. Namely, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, smart living, green manufacturing, industrial reform, environmental management, and the halal industry.

A key highlight of the Pavilion opening was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Energy Berhad and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The collaboration signals a deepened commitment to advancing clean energy and regional decarbonization, with MIDA assuming a supportive and facilitative role.

Historic Investment Record

Malaysia is deepening its investment ties in Japan. In fact, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, said the country will assume a proactive role in facilitating high-quality investments that align with national priorities. Specifically, in clean energy, innovation, and sustainabile development.

Last year, Malaysia recorded a RM378.5 billion in approved investments, the nation’s historic high to mark 14.9% year-on-year growth. The approved investments spans 6,700 projects across key sectors that will create 207,000 new jobs.

Of the said total investments, domestic accounts for 55 percent or RM208.1 billion total while foreign investments culled 45 percent with RM170.4 billion value.

The United States of America leads top five nations with RM32.8 billion approved investments. Germany followed with RM32.2 billion) while The People’s Republic of China came third with RM28.2 billion. Meanwhile, Singapore came fourth with RM27.3 billion while Hong Kong SAR came fifth with RM7.4 billion.

Investment from HORIBA

In a separate announcement last week, HORIBA Group (HORIBA) announces a significant expansion in Malaysia with plans to establish its first manufacturing facility in the state of Kedah. This strategic investment will create the company’s first production base for mass flow controllers (MFCs) in Malaysia, with full-scale operations scheduled to commence in January 2026.

The new facility represents a major advancement from HORIBA’s current representative office in Penang, transforming the company’s Malaysian presence from a business development hub to a full-scale manufacturing operation.

Yohei Kawamura, President of HORIBA Malaysia said the Malaysian government has positioned semiconductor as an important growth area. Thus, this has spurred investments both by domestic and foreign companies.

“In the semiconductor market that is expected to grow further in the mid to long term, the HORIBA Group will accelerate reinforcement of the global supply structure to fulfill its responsibility as a leading supplier of MFCs as well as to meet various metrology needs in the future,” said Kawamura.

This new facility will also house the Analytical Solution Plaza in Malaysia, a cutting-edge laboratory. As priority initiatives for advanced materials and semiconductors, focus fields in the Mid-Long Term Management Plan (MLMAP2028), a wide range of solutions will be provided to meet such needs as advanced material analysis, semiconductor process monitoring, and environmental measurement services. This initiative aligns with HORIBA’s Mid-Long Term Management Plan (MLMAP2028) and complements Malaysia’s ambitions as a leader in high-tech industries.

Through the newly established base, the HORIBA Group will endeavor to further expand its global share in the MFC market, which currently stands at 60 percent. Specifically, the company will rapidly and precisely responding to the needs of customers in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

05 June 2025