KOTA KINABALU: Direct air routes between Sabah and Japan should be reopened for better connectivity and tourism promotion, says Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said he was made to understand that the number of tourist arrivals from Japan has declined significantly over the past years, with the cessation of direct flights among the reasons.
"We will try to work out something with the airlines and see if they can reopen the routes," from Sabah to Japan and vice versa,” he said after launching the I Love Sushi Exhibition at the Sabah Islamic Civilisation Museum here on Friday (April 10).
He noted the new challenges to air travel amid the global energy crisis trigged by the Middle East conflict.
"But we will see how to reopen routes and find more collaborative activities and programmes with Japan to boost economic and social relations," he said.
He said Sabah's relations with Japan have always been cordial and both have environmental, cultural and tourism programmes they can work on together.
"(For example) there is a Japanese non-governmental organisation that contributes to support our conservation initiatives annually," Jafry added.
Earlier, the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki said the exhibition is part of the Japan Foundation’s Travelling Exhibitions Programme, a long-running initiative that introduces the many faces of Japanese art and culture to audiences around the globe.
"Every year, diverse exhibitions from traditional crafts to contemporary design travel to over a hundred venues worldwide in collaboration with local museums and galleries.
"In collaboration with the Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu, the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia is honored to co-organise this exhibition together with the Japan Foundation KL and the Sabah Museum," he said.
Shikata said the organisers hope to offer more Sabahans the opportunity not only to enjoy the taste of sushi, but also to appreciate the values behind it: respect for nature, attention to detail, and the joy of sharing a meal.
The exhibition runs 9am to 5pm daily until June 7, with a RM2 or RM15 entrance fee for citizens and non-Malaysians respectively.
More information can be found at https://museum.sabah.gov.my.
