BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ikuina Akiko, visited Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School (SMJA) in the capital on Tuesday (July 22), as part of her official engagement in Brunei Darussalam.
SMJA is one of three government secondary schools selected for a two-year pilot project (2025–2026) offering Japanese language as an optional subject for Year 7 and Year 8 students.
Upon arrival, the Japanese Vice-Minister was welcomed by Director of Schools at the Ministry of Education, Marina Chek Bujang, and the school’s principal, Nor Aisah Mohd Salleh.
In her speech, Ikuina Akiko expressed appreciation for Brunei’s initiative in introducing Japanese language education at the secondary level.
“The Japanese Government is committed to promoting the learning of the Japanese language overseas, and we are delighted to hear that it has been introduced as an optional subject at Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School this year,” she said.
“We express our sincere gratitude for the efforts carried out by the school and the Ministry of Education of Brunei Darussalam. This initiative is a significant step toward fostering people-to-people exchanges and building mutual understanding between Japan and Brunei. We sincerely hope Japanese language education will continue beyond the pilot period.”
During her visit, the Vice-Minister observed cultural performances including a Kempo demonstration and a Gulingtangan presentation.
Students also had the opportunity to engage with the Vice-Minister using basic Japanese and performed a Japanese song in her honour.
The introduction of Japanese language classes aligns with the Ministry of Education’s aspirations under the 21st Century National Education System (SPN21), which encourages multilingualism and global readiness.
The pilot project aims to enhance students’ linguistic and cultural competencies, while supporting broader efforts to strengthen cultural exchange and international understanding. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
