Japan views Malaysia as vital for advancing clean energy cooperation in Southeast Asia, especially as the current Asean Chair and co-host of the AZEC ministerial meeting. Former Japanese PM Kishida noted Malaysia's leadership during a key time for regional decarbonization, with ongoing AZEC projects in power transmission, renewables, aligning with Asean's clean energy goals like the Asean Power Grid. Kishida sees Malaysia as a reliable partner actively pursuing energy transition partly inspired by AZEC, highlighting bilateral cooperation in CCS, ammonia, SAF, and power grid development. He emphasized the need for government-led partnerships and the growing role of Japan's AZEC Parliamentary League in promoting the initiative. Recommendations based on his visit will be submitted to the Japanese government to further support AZEC.