Malaysia looks east again as PM appeals to Japan

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad appealed to Japanese business heavyweights for investments in his country to help solve its unemployment problem.

In their meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday, Mahathir said his new government is business-friendly by abolishing bureaucratic procedures to attract foreign investment.

Mahathir oversaw Malaysia's economic development under his "Look East" policy that was designed to learn from Japan and other countries when he was prime minister from 1981 to 2003.