Knowledge diplomacy is one of the new types of diplomacy to emerge more recently. A
more recent conceptualization of knowledge diplomacy has broadened the focus to the
role of international higher education, research and innovation in building/strengthening
relations between and among countries. Furthermore, one of the aims of the 11th
Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) is to accelerate human capital development for an advanced
nation. One of the challenges being highlighted in the Mid Term Review of the 11th
Malaysia Plan, is the activities for research, development and innovation were
uncoordinated and fragmented due to lack of collaboration between public international
higher education and research institutions as well as industry. In addressing this issue,
Malaysia have taken proactive measures to enhance its international higher education,
research and innovation collaboration with partners from all over the world including
Japan. This study aims to role of knowledge diplomacy in strengthening Malaysia and
Japan bilateral relations. The qualitative study using expert sampling was conducted
through semi-structured interviews with three officials from the Ministry of Higher
Education of Malaysia (MOHE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia (MOFA) and
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The study also identifies that knowledge
diplomacy approach is crucial in strengthening Malaysian and Japan bilateral relations.
