The Malaysia-Japan Academic Association (MJAA) continues to strengthen its commitment to fostering educational, research, and cultural collaboration between Malaysia and Japan through a successful visit to Toyama City on 24–25 June 2025.

The MJAA delegation, led by His Excellency Ambassador Prof. Dr. Masahiko Horie, International Advisory Board Member of MJAA, together with Asst. Prof. Dr. Amy Poh Ai Ling, Founder and Director of MJAA, was warmly welcomed by the Toyama City Board of Education for a series of discussions and site visits exploring future cooperation between Toyama City and Malaysia hosted by Mr. Takeshi Nakazaki (教育長) Mr. Koshin Takata (次長) Ms. Ohkubo Chieko (次長) Ms. Zenko Sachiyo (主幹指導主事) and Mr. Maeda Nobuyasu (課長).  

The visit commenced with a tour of a local elementary school, where the delegation observed Toyama City’s innovative approach to interactive English education. The delegates had the opportunity to engage directly with students and teachers, witnessing how communication-based learning helps cultivate confidence, curiosity, and global perspectives among young learners.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of providing students with international exposure from an early age, preparing them to become globally competent citizens in an increasingly interconnected world. MJAA team was particularly impressed in visiting an exciting English class at Asahi Elementary School and also in witnessing many pupils of Mizuhashi Gakuen, a junior high school were cheerfully introducing themselves to pupils of SMK Putri Titiwangsa and vice versa through internet. It was a first trial in Toyama to be followed regularly.

The delegation also visited the Toyama International Conference Center, which has been proposed as the venue for the Malaysia-Japan Visionaries Conference (MJVC) 2028.

Strategically located within walking distance of Toyama Station, Toyama Castle, the Toyama Glass Art Museum, and many historical attractions, the conference centre offers excellent accessibility and modern facilities, including approximately 60 poster presentation panels, making it highly suitable for hosting an international academic conference.

Toyama itself has earned international recognition as one of the destinations featured by The New York Times among the world’s notable places to visit. Combining rich cultural heritage, technological innovation, beautiful natural surroundings, and strong sustainability initiatives, the city provides an ideal environment for meaningful international conferences and academic exchange.

On the second day, discussions with the Toyama City Board of Education continued, focusing on expanding future collaboration in education, youth exchange, and international partnerships.

The delegation also visited Toyama Eco-Town, where they learned about Toyama City’s long-standing commitment to environmental conservation, resource circulation, and sustainable urban development. The visit introduced various circular economy initiatives, including integrated resource recovery systems, recycling technologies, and collaborative efforts among industries, government, and local communities to achieve a sustainable society.

These initiatives align closely with MJAA’s commitment to promoting sustainability, innovation, and knowledge exchange between Malaysia and Japan.

One of the major outcomes of the visit was the positive discussion regarding the hosting of MJVC 2028 in Toyama City.

The tentative schedule currently under consideration is:

• 20 September 2028 – Eco Town Factory Visit
• 21–22 September 2028 – Malaysia-Japan Visionaries Conference (MJVC 2028)
• 23 September 2028 – Toyama Cultural Tour and International Networking Programme

The proposed conference aims to bring together researchers, educators, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and students from both countries to strengthen collaboration in science, technology, education, innovation, sustainability, and human capital development.

An exciting milestone arising from this visit is the initiation of the “Toyama City Model of International Exchange.”

This new initiative is being developed through the collaboration between the Toyama City Board of Education and education authorities of Kuala Lumpur and Johor hopefully with the support of Ministry of Education, Malaysia.

The programme seeks to foster English-language communication, intercultural understanding, and global citizenship by connecting pupils from Toyama with selected schools in Malaysia.

The initiative is expected to involve approximately:

• 56 elementary schools
• 23 junior high schools

together with partner schools in Kuala Lumpur and Johor, creating meaningful opportunities for virtual exchanges, cultural learning, educational collaboration, and long-term friendships between Malaysian and Japanese pupils.

MJAA firmly believes that today’s pupils are tomorrow’s leaders. By providing young learners with opportunities to communicate across different cultures, build confidence in English, and develop international friendships from an early age, we can nurture global minded individuals who will contribute positively to society and strengthen the enduring friendship between Malaysia and Japan.

MJAA has proposed to support this “Toyama City Model of International Exchange” by offering “MJAA Participation Certificate” to each one of participating Malaysian pupil.

Overall, the discussions throughout the visit were highly productive and encouraging. MJAA is deeply grateful for the warm hospitality and strong support extended by the Toyama City Board of Education.

This promising opportunity has been made possible largely through the vision, dedication, and generous support of His Excellency Ambassador Prof. Dr. Masahiko Horie, whose introduction and continuous guidance have transformed a shared vision into meaningful collaborative opportunities.

On behalf of MJAA, we extend our sincere appreciation to His Excellency for his unwavering commitment to strengthening Malaysia–Japan relations through education, research, youth development, and international cooperation.

As MJAA continues to expand its network of partnerships, we look forward to building a long-term collaboration with Toyama City and to welcoming researchers, educators, students, industry leaders, and policymakers to MJVC 2028.

Together, we will continue strengthening the friendship between Malaysia and Japan through education, research, innovation, sustainability, and people-to-people exchange for generations to come.

Publish on 10 July 2026