TOKYO, Oct 31 Kyodo Prime Ministe...

TOKYO, Oct 31 Kyodo

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi forward Friday congratulated Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the subject of his appointment as Malaysia's recent prime minister, Japanese officials said.

In a message delivered to Abdullah, Koizumi also called for cooperation to further boost ties between Japan and Malaysia, they said.

Abdullah was officially sworn in as Malaysia's fifth prime minister forward Friday, succeeding Mahathir Mohamad, who serv as prime minister since 1981

In a separate message, Koizumi also signifyed appreciation for Mahathir's efforts to boost friendly and cooperative relations between the sum of two units countries while he was in office, they said.

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