KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 ― Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito will begin his five-day official visit to Malaysia, beginning tomorrow, aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to a Japanese Embassy official here, the visit is at the invitation of the Malaysian Government.

This is Prince Naruhito’s maiden visit to the country. He is the oldest son of Emperor Akihito.

He said the visit would be a good opportunity to promote mutual understanding as well as friendship and goodwill between the two nations which established their ties, 60 years ago.

"The visit will undoubtedly, further enhance and strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all aspects, mainly to maintain the good relationship which was built on historical foundation,” he told a press conference at the Japanese Embassy here today.

During the visit, Prince Naruhito is scheduled to attend a state banquet hosted by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V and will have a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Crown Prince is also expected to visit the National Monument, National Museum and Universiti Malaya.

Kuala Lumpur has enjoyed a very cordial relationship with Tokyo in various sectors, including education, in which some 16,000 Malaysian students have benefitted from their studies in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.

They were also sent there, especially to learn about Japanese work ethics. ― Bernama