Title: The Next Generation Symposium on Japan Studies

The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Japanese Studies (MAJAS) and the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Malaya (UM), held the first ever “The Next Generation Symposium on Japan Studies”. This inspiring event at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UM, aimed to foster a deeper understanding of Japan among Malaysian youth through a series of student presentations and expert discussions.

This year’s symposium was held in conjunction with the Japanese Studies Essay Contest and Mentorship Programme, which encourages Malaysian students to explore critical issues related to Japan and Japanese Studies. Selected mentees from various universities worked closely with established mentors to develop essays on topics ranging from Japan’s healthcare system to the country’s contributions to global sustainability goals.