TOKYO: Japan wants Malaysia to actively participate in its growing Halal industry, to service the country’s increasing volume of Muslim tourists.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Tokyo was confident that the high halal standards applied in Malaysia would suit its aspirations and expectations in the development of its own industry.

Tokyo, he said was particularly keen on the systems adopted by the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) and Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC).

“Japan is encouraged by its growing industry and want Malaysian businesses to participate in the halal goods and services industry,” Zahid said.

Kuala Lumpur, through the Malaysian Halal Council, he said would on its part help ease Japan’s foreign direct investment in the sector, here.

Zahid told the Malaysian media after a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso, that Tokyo had also asked Kuala Lumpur to share its intelligence and expertise in keeping its territories safe from extremism and terrorism, as it begins to gear up for the 2020 Japan Olympics. He is also Japan’s finance minister.

Zahid just now also had an unscheduled meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the prime minister’s office.-nst