KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 – The Cultural Diplomacy Talk program, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), in collaboration with the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Kuala Lumpur, and the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur, was successfully held at Dewan Azman Hashim, Menara Razak, UTM Kuala Lumpur.

The program served as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise in the areas of arts, culture, and heritage with the international community. It also aimed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the concept of cultural diplomacy, particularly in the context of promoting Malaysia’s rich artistic and cultural heritage on the global stage. Furthermore, the event sought to highlight the uniqueness of Malaysian culture and foster opportunities for international collaboration.

This year’s Cultural Diplomacy Talk centered around the theme “Malaysia and Japan – Exploring Cultural Diplomacy and Diversity” and featured three distinguished guest panelist. Matsuo Keigo, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, delivered a presentation titled “Cultural Diplomacy in Action: Japan-Malaysia Relations & The Spirit of the Look East Policy.”

Tsukamoto Norihisa, Director of the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur, shared an “Overview of the Japan Foundation’s Activities in Malaysia”, meanwhile, Associate Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurul Akmar Abu Husain, Dean of MJIIT, UTM presented “Integrating Japanese-Style Engineering Education with Malaysian Cultural Distinctiveness: The MJIIT Experience at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia”.

The session was moderated by Hasparina Abdul Ghafar, Head of the Japanese Language and Culture Centre at MJIIT, UTM. Discussions explored the evolving Malaysia–Japan relationship through the lens of cultural diplomacy, with a focus on the enduring impact of the Look East Policy, the Japan Foundation’s cultural engagements in Malaysia, and the unique integration of Japanese-style engineering education within the Malaysian academic and cultural context.

The event was further honored by the presence of Mohd Amran Mohd Haris, Director General of JKKN, and Professor Dr. Kanao Fukuda, Deputy Dean (Liaison & Internationalization) of MJIIT, UTM. Also in attendance were Mohd Radzi Mohd Omar, Deputy Director General (Policy and Planning) of JKKN, along with officers and staff from both JKKN and UTM. The program drew an audience of approximately 300 participants. In addition to the enriching knowledge-sharing sessions, attendees also enjoyed a Malaysia-Japan mini exhibition and cultural performances, including a Gamelan Medley featuring a Japanese song and Gamelan Timang Burung, a dynamic Yosakoi dance, and a rendition of the song Mirae by local singer Fairuz Selamat.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia expresses its hope for continued collaboration with government agencies in the future. Such initiatives will enable students and staff to gain a deeper appreciation of cultural diplomacy approaches from both Malaysia and Japan, while cultivating mutual respect for cultural differences.

Source: UTM NewsHub