Sayonara, Malaysia, for now

MY two years in Malaysia went by in the blink of an eye. Even though my entire time here coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic that began in 2020, I was fortunate to foster invaluable friendships with many Malay-sians across the country, and to witness the further strengthening of the relationship between Japan and Malaysia.

My time here as ambassador was indeed rewarding and fulfilling.

Malaysia’s actions against the pandemic were exemplary. Even under challenging circumstances, some 30,000 Japanese are living in Malaysia comfortably, and approximately 1,500 Japanese companies are able to operate safely. For this, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the government and people of Malaysia, as well as the dedicated frontliners and people in uniform.

I especially convey my deepest admiration to Malaysia for its achievement in its accelerated vaccination programme. Special mention also should be made of the fact that Malaysia provides equal vaccination opportunities to foreigners. This made me realise Malaysia’s unique strength as a multicultural society.

A new page was added to the history of longstanding friendship between Japan and Malaysia. Japan donated to Malaysia approximately one million doses of made-in-Japan vaccine at a critical juncture in July. Japan also provided vaccine refrigerating facilities and DNA sequencers for analysing new variants of the coronavirus as well as advanced medical equipment, including mobile X-ray equipment, to help strengthen Malaysia’s healthcare system.

Japan fully recognises the importance of providing equitable and affordable access to vaccines. As of October 2021, Japan has provided 30 million doses of vaccines globally, making it the third largest donor.

Sixty-five years ago, Japan was the first country in Asia to welcome Malaysia’s independence and establish diplomatic relations. Since then, the bond of friendship between our countries, firmly based on mutual trust, is something you do not see elsewhere.

Despite the pandemic, the last two years have continuously witnessed an enormous growth in bilateral relations in all fields, including economic, education and human resource development. This was made possible through, among others, usage of innovative means such as online meetings and virtual seminars.

Japan is Malaysia’s third largest investor. Even during the pandemic, Japanese businesses continued to invest in Malaysia in new areas such as digital and green technology, the twin engines of the post-pandemic economic recovery, as well as the traditional electrical and electronics sectors.

Telemedicine, the new medical service provided under clinical research by Japanese businesses making use of digital technology, contributes to enhancing the survival of stroke patients in Malaysia.

Japanese businesses are now working with Malaysian partners to turn the abundant supply of water and gas resources in this country into hydrogen and ammonia, the keys for making power generation cleaner.

I am happy to see that Japanese companies here are actively contributing to Malaysia’s economic growth, creating over 400,000 employment opportunities so far in the manufacturing sector alone.

Wherever I visited in this country, I observed the people’s eagerness to further cultivate friendship with Japan. I am delighted to say that just like 40 years ago, this year’s batch of several hundred Malaysian youths have started studies in Japan under the Look East Policy. To my surprise, as many as 400 people applied for the 20 places available under the Universiti Malaya Japanese language programme. The government of Japan is now working with the Malaysian government to set up a branch campus of the University of Tsukuba here by 2023. When established, it will be the first overseas branch campus of a Japanese state university. This is a ringing endorsement of the quality of the educational environment in Malaysia.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy, and we will work together with our Malaysian friends to highlight this achievement and the future.

Sayonara. But I will be back, as I have left my heart in Malaysia. I sincerely hope our paths will cross again. And when I return, I would like to celebrate with my Malaysian friends how far Japan and Malaysia have come.

OKA HIROSHI , Outgoing Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia