Ambassador Shikata Attends “UKM MATSURI 2026: Together We Minoru”
2026/4/27
On 24th April, Ambassador Shikata Noriyuki attended “UKM MATSURI 2026: Together We Minoru” held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
The event was organized by Minoru, UKM’s Japanese Language and Culture Club, and provided a valuable opportunity for many students and visitors to deepen their interest in and understanding of the Japanese language and culture.
At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Shikata delivered opening remarks and also gave a special lecture on Japan-Malaysia relations. In his remarks, he noted that UKM has been actively promoting collaboration with Japanese universities and companies and remains an extremely important partner for Japan in the fields of people-to-people exchange and academic cooperation. Referring also to his recent meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of UKM, Ambassador Shikata expressed his appreciation for UKM’s efforts to play a leading role not only in Malaysia but also in ASEAN in such important fields as AI, quantum technology, and semiconductors, and stated that Japan hopes to cooperate closely with UKM in these efforts.
Ambassador Shikata also emphasized that events of this kind are highly meaningful in fostering interest in Japan and in helping participants discover the enjoyment and significance of learning the Japanese language. He further referred to the long history of exchanges between Japan and Malaysia, including those fostered under the Look East Policy (LEP), through which many Malaysians have studied in Japan and have served as important bridges between our two countries. He also noted that the number of Japanese students studying in Malaysia has been increasing in recent years, making bilateral exchanges ever more mutual and dynamic.
During the special lecture, Ambassador Shikata first spoke on Japan-Malaysia friendship, explaining the significance of the Look East Policy and the development of bilateral relations through people-to-people exchanges, economic cooperation, and investment promotion. Ambassador Shikata also introduced the strong partnership that has been built through the presence of Japanese companies in Malaysia, human resource development cooperation, as well as educational and cultural exchanges. Furthermore, Ambassador Shikata delivered a lecture on Japan’s foreign policy, outlining the principles of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), including the rule of law, freedom of navigation connectivity, and shared prosperity, while also explaining regional cooperation under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) toward decarbonization, energy transition, and sustainable growth.
It is hoped that this event will further deepen mutual understanding between Japan and Malaysia and strengthen the bonds between UKM and Japan.
The event was organized by Minoru, UKM’s Japanese Language and Culture Club, and provided a valuable opportunity for many students and visitors to deepen their interest in and understanding of the Japanese language and culture.
At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Shikata delivered opening remarks and also gave a special lecture on Japan-Malaysia relations. In his remarks, he noted that UKM has been actively promoting collaboration with Japanese universities and companies and remains an extremely important partner for Japan in the fields of people-to-people exchange and academic cooperation. Referring also to his recent meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of UKM, Ambassador Shikata expressed his appreciation for UKM’s efforts to play a leading role not only in Malaysia but also in ASEAN in such important fields as AI, quantum technology, and semiconductors, and stated that Japan hopes to cooperate closely with UKM in these efforts.
Ambassador Shikata also emphasized that events of this kind are highly meaningful in fostering interest in Japan and in helping participants discover the enjoyment and significance of learning the Japanese language. He further referred to the long history of exchanges between Japan and Malaysia, including those fostered under the Look East Policy (LEP), through which many Malaysians have studied in Japan and have served as important bridges between our two countries. He also noted that the number of Japanese students studying in Malaysia has been increasing in recent years, making bilateral exchanges ever more mutual and dynamic.
During the special lecture, Ambassador Shikata first spoke on Japan-Malaysia friendship, explaining the significance of the Look East Policy and the development of bilateral relations through people-to-people exchanges, economic cooperation, and investment promotion. Ambassador Shikata also introduced the strong partnership that has been built through the presence of Japanese companies in Malaysia, human resource development cooperation, as well as educational and cultural exchanges. Furthermore, Ambassador Shikata delivered a lecture on Japan’s foreign policy, outlining the principles of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), including the rule of law, freedom of navigation connectivity, and shared prosperity, while also explaining regional cooperation under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) toward decarbonization, energy transition, and sustainable growth.
It is hoped that this event will further deepen mutual understanding between Japan and Malaysia and strengthen the bonds between UKM and Japan.