On 7 September 2008, the Embassy was invited to Asaka Cityby MAY Asaka Center for the launching of the Commemorative Issue of Malaysia's Development ? A Visual Perspective through the Exchange of Students Drawing, a compilation of drawings by 548 students, both Malaysians and Japanese. These drawings were selected from about 30,000 pieces of works accumulated from an exchange programme that has spanned over 20 years between M
AY Asaka CenterJapan and Penang Education Department, Malaysia.
Started in 1987, the Programme Friendly Relations Through Pictures only involved students in Penang initially. Today, it has grown to include schools in Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Sabah. The programme has also enabled scores of children from both Japan and Malaysia to widen their knowledge about each other's country, people, art and culture through mutual homestay programmme.
In her remarks, Mrs. Fumiko Oike, Chairperson of MAY Asaka Center who was instrumental in the Programme ?Friendly Relations Through Pictures and in the publication of the Commemorative Issue of Malaysia's Development A Visual Perspective through the Exchange of Students Drawing expressed her gratitude to every individuals involved in realising the project. She also expressed her appreciation for the support extended by Ishibashi Foundation and Penang Education Department.
Providing a feel of Malaysia, the Mekar Budaya Dance Troup, under Tourism Malaysia Tokyo performed a few Malay dances, much to the entertainment of over a hundred guests who attended the event including the Mayor of Asaka City.
This publication was also part of the Friendship Year 2007 Japan & Malaysia by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, in commemoration of the 50th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Japan.
A similar launching of the Commemorative Issue was held in Penang on 25 June 2008 by the Governor of Penang.
-Asaka City is located in Saitama Prefecture, about one hour away from Tokyo.
