On April 22, the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Malaysia Design Council (Majlis Rekabentuk Malaysia, MRM), with support from the ASEAN-Japan Centre, to promote mutual cooperation in the field of design. MRM operates under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) of Malaysia and is responsible for formulating and implementing national design policies and strategies.

The signing coincided with the visit of the MRM team to Japan for the opening of the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which is themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” MRM organizes various initiatives, including its own design award and design conferences involving other ASEAN countries. Going forward, JDP and MRM will explore possibilities for collaboration and aim to develop joint projects.