Japan Ambassador to Malaysia Takahashi Katsuhiko (third from left, in kimono) during the officiating ceremony of the Bon Odori Johor 2023 at Eco Galleria, Iskandar Puteri. Also present, Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld Malaysia) president and chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah (second right), and Japan Graduates' Association of Malaysia (Jagam) Southern Branch chairman John Leong Thiat Eng (third from right).
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Japanese companies are looking into investment opportunities in Johor in line with the set-up of the Sankyu Group human resources training centre at the Medini Central Business District (CBD) in Iskandar Puteri, last year.
Japan Ambassador to Malaysia Takahashi Katsuhiko said that there were currently 170 Japanese companies in Johor out of a total of 1,600 companies in Malaysia.
"So the number is quite big, and Johor is the third state that has the most Japanese companies after Penang and Selangor.
"We are also well aware that there is an increasing trend of investment coming to Johor; generally speaking, Japanese companies are interested in investing in Malaysia, so I hope Johor will be one of the destinations that we can come to," he said.
He said this when met by reporters after the officiating ceremony of the Bon Odori Johor 2023 at Eco Galleria, here on Saturday (July 15).
Explaining further, Takahashi said that Sankyu’s human resources training centre would cover the need for human capital in the Asean region.
"I believed investment would be coming in because we already have a human resources training centre here," said Takahashi.
Some of the Japanese companies in the country are ANA, Meiji, Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Shachiahata, and Sumitomo.
Meanwhile, on the programme, Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld Malaysia) president and chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah said that this is the first time that the Bon Odori festival has been held back after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
"This is one of our annual programmes since 2015 that we have held together with the Japan Graduates' Association of Malaysia (Jagam).
"We hope those staying nearby can come and be part of our community programme in celebrating this Japanese culture," he said, adding that the programme will be held from July 14 until July 16.
The event offers over 200 booths featuring Japanese and Malaysian culture, from its cuisine to fashion, crafts, souvenirs, snacks, and Japanese cultural activities such as the Yukata experience, Japanese Rice Cake pounding, and more.
