Malaysia - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe started his three-day official visit to Malaysia with a red carpet welcome at the Prime Minister‘s Office compound here today.
Abe, accompanied by his wife, Akie Abe, was greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.
He then inspected a guard of honour mounted by members of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Fuad Ghazali before the cabinet ministers, foreign dignitaries and senior government officials were introduced to him.
After the welcoming ceremony, he called on the prime minister at his office before they started the delegation meeting between Malaysia and Japan.
Abe and his 240-member delegation comprising prominent Japanese businessmen and senior government officials arrived here from India late last night.
This is his first official visit to Malaysia since becoming prime minister last September.
Malaysia and Japan have established diplomatic ties for the past 50 years.
Source: www.bernama.com (24 Agustus 2007)
