Bridges: Japan and Malaysia continue to enjoy a long relationship. Which historical elements of this long-standing partnership remain relevant today?
Ambassador Shitaka: For more than sixty years, Japan and Malaysia have maintained a strong and robust diplomatic partnership. After Malaysia launched the “Look East Policy” in the 1980s, some 28,000 Malaysians have studied at Japanese colleges and universities, or trained at Japanese companies, where they acquired Japan’s advanced technologies and industrial skills.
After returning to Malaysia, many of these alumni became vital bridges between our two countries in government, industry, and academia, and their friendship and professional networks remain vibrant and active today.
Based on this solid foundation, cooperation and exchange in higher education has grown steadily. The Malaysia–Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), located in the Kuala Lumpur campus of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), has offered Japanese-style engineering programs for more than ten years, producing highly skilled graduates and promoting industry-academia collaboration.
A further milestone came in September 2024 with the opening of the University of Tsukuba, Malaysia (UTMy), which provides Japan’s practical cross-disciplinary curriculum based on Problem-Based Learning in Malaysia. UTMy will help speeding up innovation-focused human-capital development in Malaysia.
Our cultural ties have also deepened. Established in 1989, the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL) has strengthened grassroots links through Japanese-language courses and diverse cultural events. Since 1977, the annual Bon Odori festival has attracted tens of thousands of participants every year, nurturing familiarity with Japanese culture in Malaysia’s multicultural society.
Through these long-term efforts in education and culture—key pillars of “soft power”- Japan and Malaysia have nurtured mutual respect that continues to underpin our close relationship more than six decades on.
With the Osaka Expo taking place this year, what are your aspirations for strengthening the relationship between Malaysia and Japan during the event?
The Osaka–Kansai Expo is a prime opportunity for Japan and Malaysia to showcase our respective attractions and technologies to the world while further deepening our partnership. Japan aims to present solutions to global challenges through technological innovation, whereas Malaysia will highlight the theme of harmony under diversity.
The Osaka–Kansai Expo is a prime opportunity for Japan and Malaysia to showcase our respective attractions and technologies to the world while further deepening our partnership.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Malaysia, Noriyuki Shikata
By positioning the Expo as a forum for mutual learning, we are deepening mutual understanding and strengthening bilateral ties. Indeed, the Malaysian government has already underscored tangible economic gains, reporting potential investments exceeding RM 7 billion and the conclusion of more than 20 memoranda of understanding linked to the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
In what ways do you envision the Expo presenting the essence of Japan to a global audience?
The “Grand Roof Ring,” the world’s largest wooden building and the symbol of the Expo, merges a construction method rooted in the traditional nuki joinery exemplified by Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple—a temple I know well—with cutting-edge Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) technology.
At a time when the world faces widening political divides, Japan’s ring ― created by blending age-old craftsmanship with the latest technology—conveys a message of bringing people together across those rifts. I hope that, throughout this Expo, vibrant exchanges among various nations and visitors both inside and outside the Ring will help the world reconnect.
How is the Embassy fostering collaborations and connections between Malaysia and Japan this year? What do you foresee for the future of Japan’s friendship with Malaysia?
This year, the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia is working to further strengthen bilateral ties across key sectors such as the economy, education, culture, and the environment. Concrete initiatives include promoting the Asian Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework toward a decarbonized society; deepening inter-university partnerships and mutual student exchanges; fostering business and technology cooperation in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and next-generation mobility; and expanding grassroots engagement through Japanese-language education and cultural programs.
All of these efforts represent mutually beneficial, two-way exchanges, what might be called a “Look-at-Each-Other Policy.” With this relationship as a foundation, I am confident that Japan and Malaysia will continue to broaden and deepen our special ties under the framework of “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”.
With this relationship as a foundation, I am confident that Japan and Malaysia will continue to broaden and deepen our special ties under the framework of ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’.
Reflecting on your experiences, what have been some of your most memorable moments during your time in Malaysia thus far?
Directly experiencing Malaysia’s rich and diverse culinary culture has been particularly memorable. Visits to Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, Johor, Perak and other regions allowed me to savour local dishes like Nasi Lemak, Mee Goreng, and Nyonya cuisine. My sharing these experiences on social media attracted significant responses, reaffirming the power of cultural exchange to connect people’s hearts. I am also impressed by the quality of so many Japanese restaurants in Malaysia, which amount to nearly 2,000 restaurants. I am delighted that so many Malaysian friends enjoy not only sushi and ramen, but also various Japanese regional cuisines, which I can find in Malaysia today.
