FY2024 Book donations through "Read Japan Project"
2025/12/22
1. The “Read Japan Project” – Donation of Books for the Promotion of Understanding about Japan
The Read Japan Project, implemented by The Nippon Foundation (From 2022, the Tokyo Foundation is running the program.), is an international program that donates high-quality English-language books on Japan to universities, research institutes, libraries, and other institutions around the world. Launched in 2008, the project aims to strengthen the foundation for Japanese studies overseas and to promote long-term intellectual exchange by providing academic works covering a wide range of fields—including Japanese history, politics, economics, society, literature, culture, and science and technology.
In an age overflowing with information, systematically edited books remain invaluable academic resources that encourage deep thinking and critical insight. Through this initiative of “sharing knowledge,” the project offers new learning opportunities and fosters international understanding among the younger generation.
For FY2024, two Malaysian institutions—Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and the Malaysia–Japan Research Centre (MJRC) of Universiti Malaya—were selected as recipients of the project. Books Handover Ceremonies were held at both institutions, with H.E. Ambassador SHIKATA Noriyuki in attendance.
2. Books Handover Ceremony at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) – 5th August 2025
On 5th August 2025, a ceremony was held at UTAR in Kampar, Perak, to commemorate the donation of books under the Read Japan Project. Ambassador SHIKATA attended the event, and the ceremony took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
More than 100 Japan-related books were donated to UTAR, covering a broad range of fields such as history, politics, economics, science and technology, literature, philosophy, and cultural studies. These materials represent valuable academic resources for students and researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of Japan.
In his remarks, UTAR President Ir. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ewe Hong Tat expressed his expectations that the donation would broaden students’ international perspectives and enhance Japanese studies while expanding academic networks.
Ambassador Shikata, in his remarks, stated that the donated books would serve as a foundation for promoting greater understanding of Japan among students and faculty, and that they would help strengthen academic exchange between Japan and Malaysia. He further expressed his hope that the donation would deepen the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
3. Book Handover Ceremony at the Malaysia–Japan Research Centre (MJRC), Universiti Malaya – 18th December 2025
On 18th December 2025, a ceremony was also held at the Malaysia–Japan Research Centre (MJRC) of Universiti Malaya.
MJRC has long contributed to deepening mutual understanding between Malaysia and Japan through its promotion of Japanese studies, academic and cultural exchange, Japanese language education, and the development of scholarly networks connecting researchers and students.
Associate Professor Dr. Jamila Binti Mohd, Head of MJRC, has played a central role in building bridges between the two countries. Drawing on her own study-abroad experience in Japan, she has significantly advanced Japanese linguistics research and Japanese language education in Malaysia. Dr. Jamila expressed her hope that more than 180 books donated through this project would support international research collaboration and student exchange, and that they would be actively utilized in MJRC’s mission of “learning about Japan and sharing Malaysia with the world.”
Ambassador Shikata emphasized that the donated books would serve as an intellectual foundation for strengthening MJRC’s academic and educational activities and would help cultivate future scholars who will support Japan–Malaysia relations. He expressed his hope that the donation would become a “bridge of knowledge,” contributing to the expansion of education and academic cooperation between the two countries.
4. Conclusion
The book donations carried out at both UTAR and MJRC highlight the long-standing and strong tradition of academic and cultural exchange between Japan and Malaysia. They also demonstrate how academic resources such as books can serve as a vital foundation for promoting people-to-people exchange and the circulation of knowledge between the two nations.
Book donations represent an important investment in the next generation, contributing to international understanding, long-term human resource development, and the deepening of academic cooperation. The Embassy of Japan in Malaysia will continue to strengthen partnerships with educational and research institutions in both countries and to support further advancement in academic and cultural exchange.
The Read Japan Project, implemented by The Nippon Foundation (From 2022, the Tokyo Foundation is running the program.), is an international program that donates high-quality English-language books on Japan to universities, research institutes, libraries, and other institutions around the world. Launched in 2008, the project aims to strengthen the foundation for Japanese studies overseas and to promote long-term intellectual exchange by providing academic works covering a wide range of fields—including Japanese history, politics, economics, society, literature, culture, and science and technology.
In an age overflowing with information, systematically edited books remain invaluable academic resources that encourage deep thinking and critical insight. Through this initiative of “sharing knowledge,” the project offers new learning opportunities and fosters international understanding among the younger generation.
For FY2024, two Malaysian institutions—Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and the Malaysia–Japan Research Centre (MJRC) of Universiti Malaya—were selected as recipients of the project. Books Handover Ceremonies were held at both institutions, with H.E. Ambassador SHIKATA Noriyuki in attendance.
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2. Books Handover Ceremony at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) – 5th August 2025
On 5th August 2025, a ceremony was held at UTAR in Kampar, Perak, to commemorate the donation of books under the Read Japan Project. Ambassador SHIKATA attended the event, and the ceremony took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
More than 100 Japan-related books were donated to UTAR, covering a broad range of fields such as history, politics, economics, science and technology, literature, philosophy, and cultural studies. These materials represent valuable academic resources for students and researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of Japan.
In his remarks, UTAR President Ir. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ewe Hong Tat expressed his expectations that the donation would broaden students’ international perspectives and enhance Japanese studies while expanding academic networks.
Ambassador Shikata, in his remarks, stated that the donated books would serve as a foundation for promoting greater understanding of Japan among students and faculty, and that they would help strengthen academic exchange between Japan and Malaysia. He further expressed his hope that the donation would deepen the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
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3. Book Handover Ceremony at the Malaysia–Japan Research Centre (MJRC), Universiti Malaya – 18th December 2025
On 18th December 2025, a ceremony was also held at the Malaysia–Japan Research Centre (MJRC) of Universiti Malaya.
MJRC has long contributed to deepening mutual understanding between Malaysia and Japan through its promotion of Japanese studies, academic and cultural exchange, Japanese language education, and the development of scholarly networks connecting researchers and students.
Associate Professor Dr. Jamila Binti Mohd, Head of MJRC, has played a central role in building bridges between the two countries. Drawing on her own study-abroad experience in Japan, she has significantly advanced Japanese linguistics research and Japanese language education in Malaysia. Dr. Jamila expressed her hope that more than 180 books donated through this project would support international research collaboration and student exchange, and that they would be actively utilized in MJRC’s mission of “learning about Japan and sharing Malaysia with the world.”
Ambassador Shikata emphasized that the donated books would serve as an intellectual foundation for strengthening MJRC’s academic and educational activities and would help cultivate future scholars who will support Japan–Malaysia relations. He expressed his hope that the donation would become a “bridge of knowledge,” contributing to the expansion of education and academic cooperation between the two countries.
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The book donations carried out at both UTAR and MJRC highlight the long-standing and strong tradition of academic and cultural exchange between Japan and Malaysia. They also demonstrate how academic resources such as books can serve as a vital foundation for promoting people-to-people exchange and the circulation of knowledge between the two nations.
Book donations represent an important investment in the next generation, contributing to international understanding, long-term human resource development, and the deepening of academic cooperation. The Embassy of Japan in Malaysia will continue to strengthen partnerships with educational and research institutions in both countries and to support further advancement in academic and cultural exchange.