Agriculture Malaysia, Tokyo マレーシア 農務部, 東京

22nd May 2026 (Friday): ACO Tokyo received a courtesy visit by Hero Co., Ltd representatives, Mr. Hiro Takuma, CEO, and Ms. Natsuki Akiyama, POTO Division. Hero Company is a Japanese business that specializes in importing and distributing fragrance since 1975, already celebrating their 50th anniversary last year. On 25th December 2025, they launched a high-quality honey skincare product called the Propolis Soap, a premium honey and propolis-infused bar soap. It is centered around the unique benefits of stingless bee honey, which is native to the tropical rainforests of Malaysia and Borneo. This product is a collaboration with Malaysian supplier, Bayu Gagah Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd, a social enterprise that provides sustainable initiatives to increase the income of low-income beekeepers in Sarawak.

During the session, Mr. Hiro shared their company objectives and way forward. The meeting discussed networking, as well as potential promotion and distribution opportunities through collaboration with an EMC (Export Management Company) in Japan.

Link for more information on POTO Propolis Soap: https://herocompany.jp/en/collections/all

On 13th May 2026, the Agriculture Office (ACO) Tokyo hosted a meeting with ALP Co., Ltd. to introduce MIDA Tokyo and to specifically explore potential investment in Malaysia by ALP.

Meeting Attendees

* ACO Tokyo: Mr. Mohd Zahile bin Ismail (Agriculture Counsellor) and Ms. Dayana Anith binti Suhainih (First Secretary, Agriculture)
* MIDA Tokyo: Mr. Izran bin Abdullah (Director) and Mr. Ameerul Elyeen bin Amin Nodin (Deputy Director)
* ALP Co., Ltd.: Mr. Jun Muramatsu

Company Background & Discussion Highlights
Founded in 1976 and based in Tokyo, ALP Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer specializing in high-quality scientific, laboratory, and medical equipment. The company is recognized globally for producing sterilization and thermostatic devices—notably autoclaves and ovens—and has marketed its products to over 50 countries through an extensive network of distributors.

During the session, Mr. Muramatsu shared that ALP's equipment is utilized across a variety of fields, including the agriculture and food industries, where their technologies help promote sustainability and reduce food loss. Building on this, the meeting successfully explored investment opportunities, available incentives, and business facilitation provided by MIDA, highlighting prospects within the agriculture and food sectors.

Today (11 May 2026), at the Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo, Mr. Mohd Zahile Ismail received a courtesy visit from Mr. Daigo Soma representing OKADA HOLDINGS, a Japanese firm with established mango farming operations in Okinawa Prefecture. The meeting explored Okada Holdings plans to invest in Malaysia’s agricultural sector through a local joint venture.

The discussion centered on cross-border agricultural exchange—specifically, OKADA HOLDINGS' plan to introduce Okinawan grafting techniques to local Malaysian mango varieties to cultivate new, value-added products. ACO Tokyo also took the opportunity to explain on the critical regulatory frameworks, including plant quarantine protocols for importing seedlings and the legal procedures for foreign agricultural investment in Malaysia.

Initiatives like this are vital for technology transfer, empowering local farmers, and elevating the Malaysian agricultural sector. ACO Tokyo are eager to facilitate this promising venture.

On 7th May 2026, ACO Tokyo received a visit from Sugano Farm Machinery Mfg. Co., Ltd. representatives, Ms. Sakura Kogure and Mr. Yukio Shimota. In attendance was Mr. Mohd Zahile Ismail and Ms. Dayana Anith Suhainih from ACO Tokyo. Sugano Farm Machinery Mfg. Co., Ltd. specializes in the development, manufacturing, and sales of agricultural implements, particularly those related to soil preparation. Their strong point lies in proposing comprehensive farming systems tailored to specific soil conditions and crops, with the aim of contributing to sustainable agriculture through “making good soil.”

Sugano Farm Machinery visited ACO Tokyo to explore the possibility of entering the Malaysian agricultural market and seek to better understand the local conditions and needs of the actual agricultural conditions in Malaysia. During the meeting, Sugano Farm Machinery presented regarding their company background and shared their extensive catalogue of around 400 models that accommodate for various soil needs. They also shared their perspective regarding possible approaches to the Malaysian agriculture market. To reciprocate, ACO Tokyo shared a brief background of the agriculture industry in Malaysia, highlighting the rice industry and the challenges faced by farmers. Mutual discussions were held regarding the similar challenges faced by both countries in regards to climate change and aging farmers, and exploring different approaches to overcome them.

ACO Tokyo received a visit from Sumitomo Warehouse Co., Ltd. representatives on 23rd April 2026. In attendance was Mr. Mohd Zahile Ismail and Ms. Dayana Anith Suhainih from ACO Tokyo, as well as Mr. Kenji Nakayama and Mr. Inoue Yusuke from Sumitomo Warehouse Co., Ltd. The Sumitomo Warehouse Co., Ltd. is a major Japanese logistics company founded in 1899 that provides integrated international logistics, harbor transportation, and real estate services. The meeting was to explore future collaboration especially in relation to logistics and warehousing for the upcoming Green Expo 2027 set to be held in Yokohama, Japan for 6 months, as well as in Malaysia for MAHA 2026 in August this year.

On 21st April 2026, a press conference was held at The Terrace Restaurant, ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kobe, to promote the Taste of Malaysia program, this time a collaboration between ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe Hotel, ACO Tokyo and Tourism Malaysia Tokyo. Leading the event was Mr. Shafar Jamaludin, General Manager, ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe Hotel, Mr. Mohd Zahile bin Ismail, Agriculture Counsellor, ACO Tokyo and Ms. Syaliza Abd Aziz, Director, Tourism Malaysia in Tokyo. Also in attendance was Ms. Dayana Anith binti Suhainih, First Secretary (Agriculture), Mr. Mohd Fahmi Nordin, Deputy Director (Tourism Malaysia in Tokyo) and Mr. Faizal Ahmad, Deputy Director (Tourism Malaysia in Osaka).

To start the press conference, Mr. Shafar Jamaludin, General Manager, introduced the Taste of Malaysia program that will be held from 17th to 30th June 2026, a collaboration between ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe, ACO Tokyo and Tourism Malaysia Tokyo. One of the highlights of this event, high-quality seafood from Malaysia, a country known for its abundance of fresh seafood, will be directly imported and showcased during the event. Through an authentic Malaysian seafood buffet as well as Malaysia seafood products use in Japanese cuisine, this program aims to provide an opportunity for visitors to directly experience the appeal of Malaysia's proud high-quality seafood products. This will help increase awareness of Malaysian seafood products in the Japan market. Seafood products producers are also expected to take part in this event to promote directly to HORECA industry.

Other than that, as an ongoing effort to promote Malaysian agrofood products in Japan, Malaysian agrofood products such as dried fruits, snacks and confectionary are also going to be promoted and sold during this event. This event is expected to supersede the year before it, bringing the Taste of Malaysia to even greater heights and appeal in the Kansai region.

21 April 2026: Pictures from the site visit by Mr. Mohd Zahile bin Ismail, Agriculture Counsellor and Ms. Dayana Anith binti Suhainih, First Secretary to the Taste of Malaysia Instore Promotion in Lawson (Asnas) in Osaka. In attendance from Asnas Co., Ltd were Mr. Okumura, Supervising Executive Officer, Mr. Komeda, Head of Sales Department, as well as Mr. Furusawa, Mr. Hosotani, and Ms. Tamura from the Sales Department. Also present were representatives from SAMA SAMA Co., Ltd, Mr. Shohei Sakai and Dr. Amiruddin Wahab, and Ms. Vynnus Yanase from SS Halal Co., Ltd.

The visit was to the 4 participating branches, which are:
i) Lawson HA Hankyu Umeda 2F https://maps.app.goo.gl/7tYpfbMXg72vVuDr7
ii) Lawson HA Hankyu Umeda 3F https://maps.app.goo.gl/8ZV4W3DXikeMRgsx5
iii) Lawson HA Osaka Umeda Twin Towers North 15F https://maps.app.goo.gl/UtNAmKcyUMXt3N5a9
iv) Lawson HA Hanshin Umeda East https://maps.app.goo.gl/SU5zZdtKtXnQEZDW6

Beginning 20th April (Monday) until 3rd May (Sunday), 11 SKUs Malaysian freeze-dried fruits and snacks will be sold in participating Lawson branches! Free food tasting sessions will also be conducted for this in-store promotion on 26th April 2026. Catch it while you can!

Taste of Malaysia is coming to Lawson in Osaka for the first time! This promotion program in Lawson (Asnas) will be held from 20 April 2026 to 3 May 2026, for 2 weeks, right in the height of the biggest holiday season in Japan, Golden Week! Lawson is a major convenience store chain in Japan and across Asia.

4 specially selected branches are participating, which are : i) Lawson HA Hankyu Umeda 2F; ii) Lawson HA Hankyu Umeda 3F; iii) Lawson HA Osaka Umeda Twin Towers North; and iv) Lawson HA Hanshin Umeda East. These stores are selected based on location and high volume traffic, which also displays various demand and customer buying behaviour. 11 SKUs of freeze dried fruits and confectionery are chosen based on popular demand, especially during last year’s World Expo in Osaka. With the prime location and the digital signage promotion, this event will have a promotional reach of an estimated 12 million visitors within the 2 week program.

If you are in the Kansai region, don’t miss this opportunity! Come visit us today!

ACO Tokyo received a visit from Kolam Emas Sdn Bhd representatives on 20th April 2026. In attendance was Mr. Mohd Zahile Ismail and Ms. Dayana Anith Suhainih from ACO Tokyo, as well as Hj. Onnie Zurin, Hj. Azizi Yahya, Mr. Noor Firdaus and Ms. Zarith Sofia from Kolam Emas Sdn Bhd. Kolam Emas Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian consultancy firm focused on helping Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) scale their businesses and expand into global markets. Their mission is to guide entrepreneurs through the stages towards export readiness.

During the meeting, they shared regarding their experience participating in trade expos in Japan (including JFEX Winter 2024, FOODEX 2025, FABEX 2025, AEON Malaysia Fair 2025, SMTS 2026 and FABEX 2026) and the successes as well as the challenges faced bringing Malaysian agrofood products into Japan market.

ACO Tokyo exchanged views with Kolam Emas Sdn Bhd regarding current trends of market demand for Malaysian agrofood products, target consumers and way forward for trade program participation in the near future.

At the FABEX 2026 exhibition in Tokyo, ACO Tokyo’s Ms. Dayana Anith binti Suhainih presented a seminar on April 17, 2026, titled “Bridging Borders: Connecting the Malaysian Halal Ecosystem to the Japanese Consumer Market.” She outlined strategies for leveraging Malaysia’s Halal framework to stimulate Halal production within Japan. The event also served as a promotional venue for MAHA 2026, the nation’s largest agriculture expo, occurring this August in Serdang.

During the fair, ACO Tokyo met with Malaysian exporters and Japanese distributors, such as Kolam Emas Sdn Bhd and Nanyang Trading Inc. (Adabi), to address export difficulties arising from the current Middle East geopolitical instability. Additionally, a meeting with Mr. Enam of City Star provided valuable perspectives on the retail demand for Asian food products in Japan.

FABEX 2026 remains a cornerstone event for Japan’s food industry, with its "Premium Food Show" segment showcasing essential niche markets, including Halal and organic goods.