Johor is rapidly emerging as a key destination for international capital, with recent high-level engagements in Japan yielding significant interest from major corporations. During the state’s dedicated showcase at Expo Osaka 2025, senior officials held targeted discussions with four prominent Japanese firms, signaling a strong vote of confidence in Johor’s economic trajectory. This focused outreach underscores the state’s strategic efforts to position itself as a premier investment gateway within the ASEAN region.
The four companies—IL Holdings, Morishita Jintan, Nissei, and Fuji Oil—operate in high-value sectors including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, precision engineering, and food and chemical manufacturing. These one-on-one meetings, led by Johor’s Trade and Investment Committee Chairman Lee Ting Han, highlighted particular investor enthusiasm for the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. Complementing these direct talks, an investment forum co-organized with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation drew participation from sixty Japanese enterprises, further broadening the scope for future collaboration.
According to Lee, the positive response from Japanese investors is a testament to Johor’s stable political climate, advanced infrastructure, and pro-business regulatory framework. He emphasized that these engagements are not merely about initiating new projects but also about reinforcing long-standing economic ties between Johor and Japan. The technological expertise, operational discipline, and supply-chain development capabilities that Japanese firms bring are seen as vital complements to the state’s expanding industrial ecosystem.
The concrete investment values from these discussions will be confirmed by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority office in Osaka, following the conclusion of the expo. The anticipated capital inflows are projected to generate high-quality employment, facilitate technology transfer, and accelerate the state’s Maju Johor 2030 development agenda. This long-term blueprint aims to establish Johor as a regional leader in investment, innovation, and sustainable growth, balancing economic advancement with environmental stewardship.
Johor’ participation in Expo Osaka forms a key part of its strategy to attract foreign direct investment and forge global partnerships. By mid-2025, the state had already secured over RM56 billion in investments, creating thousands of jobs and reinforcing its role as a financial and industrial hub. The ongoing development of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Forest City Special Financial Zone further enhances the state’s appeal, offering streamlined trade, mobility, and green digital incentives designed to attract future high-value investments.