Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's working visit to Japan will result in more strategic partnerships with industry leaders, sources have told Malaysiakini.

A source close to the government said that Mahathir's visit is an important first step to allay any fears foreign investors might have over the change in government after the recent general election.

"The Prime Minister's invitation to the Nikkei Conference is not new, but his official visit to Japan, after his comeback as the premier, is also a step to unveil 'Look East Policy 2.0'.

"We are expecting more partnerships with East Asian countries," the source said.

Mahathir arrived in Tokyo yesterday evening for the two-day Nikkei Conference, or the 24th International Conference on the Future of Asia, which begins today.

After delivering his keynote address at the conference, Mahathir will be meeting various Japanese industry and business leaders.

The source also told Malaysiakini that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who Mahathir is scheduled to meet tomorrow, is likely to make a visit to Malaysia soon.

Mahathir first introduced his Look East policy in the 1980s, during his first tenure as prime minister. The policy was aimed at instilling Japanese work culture and ethics in Malaysians.

Strategic partnerships with Japan at the time spurred industrialisation in Malaysia, which was also highlighted by Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin.

Balancing act

Besides assuring foreign investors, Kadir said that Mahathir’s three-day working visit to the country would also act as a counterbalance to China's influence.

"Firstly, Japan has been a major influence in our economic development from building infrastructure to promoting manufacturing.

“Japan was on par, and even ahead of the US in many areas. They have been teaching the ropes of manufacturing… Japan is certainly on top,” he told Malaysiakini.

"In terms of geopolitics, Japan can play an important role to balance the hegemonic relationship between the US and China in relation to Southeast Asia and the South China Sea.

"He (Mahathir) will certainly be inviting Japan to come back (reinvest) strongly in manufacturing as well as in infrastructure development," he added.