Malaysia and Japan sign cooperation pact to boost recycling to 53% by 2035

In Kuala Lumpur, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Japan’s State Minister of the Environment Azemoto Shogo signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to deepen waste-management collaboration. The pact follows earlier joint efforts such as a food-waste strategic plan (2010-2016) and technical guidelines for solid-waste technologies (2023). Both sides intend to set up a National Circular Economy Council, roll out a circular-economy blueprint, adopt extended producer responsibility policies and scale waste-to-energy projects.

The partnership is framed as essential for achieving Malaysia’s 53 % recycling rate by 2035 and its 2050 carbon-neutral ambition. Capacity-building programmes and technology transfer will equip Malaysian officials with stronger operational expertise. The ceremony was attended by Japan’s ambassador Shikata Noriyuki and Malaysian Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr M Noor Azman Taib.