KUALA LUMPUR (Kyodo) Malaysia and Japan began their first formal negotiations on a free-trade agreement Tuesday.
The one day of talks came in the wake of eight months of preparatory work, culminating in an agreement in December to launch formal discussions.
Japan has also agreed to begin negotiations on what is formally known as the Closer Economic Partnership agreement with the Philippines and Thailand. Talks with these two countries are expected to begin later this month or in February.
The Japanese delegation for the Kuala Lumpur talks is headed by Ichiro Fujisaki, deputy foreign minister for economic affairs, and the Malaysian side is led by Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, Foreign Ministry secretary general.
Fuzi told reporters beforehand the meeting would only touch on the framework for further negotiations, but he was hopeful that a comprehensive FTA could be concluded within the target date.
He did not specify the target, however.
Japanese officials have stated they aim to reach an agreement within a year.
Japan concluded an FTA with Singapore in January 2002.
In addition to prolonged FTA negotiations with Mexico, Japan started formal FTA talks with South Korea in December.
Tokyo wants to conclude FTAs with these countries as soon as possible.