Area:

5,770 km²

Population:

Approximately 430,000 (2021 estimate)

Capital city:

Bandar Seri Begawan

Political system of government:

Constitutional monarchy (Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah)

Main languages:

Malay, English

Main religion:

Islam

Currency:

Brunei dollar

Geography

Located on the northwestern coast of the island of Borneo, the country is about the same size as Mie prefecture. Blessed with abundant underground resources, the country maintains a high standard of living for its citizens, with all medical and educational expenses free of charge and no income tax.

History

At the end of the 14th century, the king converted to Islam and became the first Sultan of Brunei. After an encounter with the visiting Magellan Expedition, Brunei held territory in the states of Sabah and Sarawak (in present-day Malaysia) and even the southern Philippines, but later became a British protectorate, gaining independence in 1984.

Major industries

Oil and natural gas production. Among all exports, mineral fuels (oil, liquefied natural gas, etc.) and chemical products account for more than 95%. Brunei is currently working to diversify its economy with the aim of breaking away from its dependence on the energy industry.

Relations with Japan

Japan is a major trading partner for Brunei, purchasing approximately 80% of its natural gas exports. And for Japan, Brunei is a key energy supplier. There is also active exchange in the form of technical cooperation along with education and culture.

Area:

181,040 km²

Population:

Approximately 15,830,000 (2021 estimate)

Capital city:

Phnom Penh

Political system of government:

Constitutional monarchy (King Norodom Sihamoni)

Main languages:

Khmer

Main religion:

Buddhism

Currency:

Riel

Geography

Cambodia is centrally located among the 10 ASEAN member states. Bordered by the Mekong River, it is home to Tonle Sap, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. It is also called the "Land of Forests" because of its vast forested areas, especially in the northern border region.

History

In the 1970s, Cambodia was embroiled in a civil war that included a genocide of its own people inflicted by the Khmer Rouge regime. A peace agreement was successfully concluded in 1991, and a new government was formed in 1993 following a general election.

Major industries

Thanks to fertile land, agriculture in Cambodia is thriving. Tourism is another key industry, centered around Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and other World Heritage sites.

Relations with Japan

There is a long history of contact between the two countries, including the establishment of a Japan Town in the era of shogunate-licensed trading ships. Japan has also been involved in the post-civil war peace process starting in the 1980s, and is currently cooperating in the preservation and restoration of the Angkor Wat site.

Area:

1,916,862 km²

Population:

Approximately 272,240,000 (2021 estimate)

Capital city:

Jakarta

Political system:

Presidential republic

Main languages:

Indonesian

Main religion:

Islam

Currency:

Rupiah

Geography

Comprised of over 14,000 islands located along the equator, Indonesia has the largest population in ASEAN (4th in the world) as well as the largest land area in ASEAN. While the island of Java, where the capital Jakarta is located, accounts for just 7% of the country's total land area, 60% of the population is concentrated there.

History

Formerly a Dutch colony, the Indonesian archipelago became independent as the Republic of Indonesia. Each ethnic group has its own language, but Indonesian, which was used as a lingua franca for trading, was adopted as the official language upon independence.

Major industries

The manufacturing industry accounts for the largest share. In particular, the country is focusing on the manufacture of motorcycles. The agriculture sector, including palm oil, rubber, and rice, is also thriving.

Relations with Japan

Japan is an important export partner for Indonesia. Conversely, Indonesia is a supplier of coal, liquefied natural gas, and other energy sources vital to Japan. Many Indonesians work in Japan, and the country ranks second in the growth rate of the number of foreign workers.

Area:

236,800 km²

Population:

Approximately 7,370,000 (2021 estimate)

Capital city:

Vientiane

Political system:

Socialist republic

Main languages:

Lao

Main religion:

Buddhism

Currency:

Lao kip

Geography

Laos is the only landlocked country in ASEAN, bordered by five countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. The Mekong River flows from north to south, and the country is rich in water resources and nature. Fifty percent of the population is Lao, but approximately 50 other ethnic groups also live there.

History

In the 14th century, the country was unified under the Kingdom of Lan Xang. Later, Laos was incorporated into French Indochina, and became fully independent in 1953. After a period of civil war, the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established in 1975. Although economic development was slow due to a planned economy, the country has been promoting the introduction of a market economy and an open economy policy since 1986.

Major industries

Agriculture is the main industry, with coffee in particular an important export product. The country is also focusing on the tourism industry.

Relations with Japan

As part of its official development assistance (ODA) program, Japan is providing grant aid for the protection and preservation of the Wat Phu ruins, which are registered as a World Heritage site, and for infrastructure development such as bridges and roads.

(Right) Patuxai is called the "Arc de Triomphe of Southeast Asia." The street in front of the gateway was built to resemble the Champs Elysees in Paris.

They like Japan and Japanese people, but it's like something out of a fairy tale

I feel that Japan may be like a "utopia somewhere far away" for Laotians.

The two countries have close ties, and Japan has been the largest donor of development assistance to Laos since 1991. Here and there around the city, there are roads, water supply facilities, traffic signals, schools, and other infrastructure built with Japanese cooperation. Japanese film festivals and other Japan-related events are very popular, and towels and T-shirts with a green and black checkerboard pattern based on a Japanese animation are sold. However, perhaps because there are so few Japanese people living in Laos, Japanese people seem to exist at a mythical level, as if they were not even real.

I've been asked many times by Laotians where I am from, and if I reply "where do you think I'm from?" they start guessing "Korea? China? Vietnam? Thailand?" and are at a loss to come up with the right answer. Even if I give them a hint, like "what country is to the east of Korea?" they still can't figure it out. But when I tell them that I'm Japanese, their faces light up, and they tell me "Japan is a wonderful country, I love Japan!" My Japanese colleagues in the office often have the same experience, so I suppose it does not only happen to me.

Japanese artists taught Laotian youth the joy of bursting with exuberance during a live concert

It is said that the music scene in Southeast Asia is dominated by K-pop, and Laos is no exception, but there are not many opportunities for stars from other countries, let alone K-pop, to come to Laos. Against this backdrop, in December 2023, a four-member Japanese female band, Chai, performed in Vientiane.

CHAI NEO KAWAII NIGHT in Laos and Cambodia to commemorate the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation

The audience consisted mainly of young people ranging from junior high and high school students to university students, but perhaps because they were not used to going to concerts, at first they stayed in their seats when they heard music that made people want to start dancing. But little by little, their reactions grew louder, as they made waved with their hands, waved their phone lights, stood up and cheered, and when one finally ran toward the stage, they followed one after another, and in a moment the space in front of the stage was filled with enthusiastic fans.

Two high school-aged girls sitting near me, who had been quietly listening to the music at first, began to shout and move their hands and bodies, almost getting up several times before they stopped themselves. I was moved when the two of them took each other's hands and nodded their heads in agreement, as if to say, "It's okay to let everything inside you burst out," and "Yes, it's okay!"

I think Chai's message of "neo kawaii" (that you are cute the way you are, without any embellishment) was very easily accepted by the younger generation in Laos.

Even nearly getting into an accident, eye contact and a smile can make it a good memory

I commute to work by bicycle, and my route includes intersections and roundabouts without traffic lights. I sometimes have an "oops!" moment when I'm about to collide with a motorcycle or another vehicle. When this happens, my eyes will meet those of the other person, and then he or she smiles softly, and then I can't help but smile too. I think this kind of eye contact is very important in Laos, and it can instantly turn a bad moment into a pleasant encounter.

My favorite place is the Blackbox, studio of the Fanglao contemporary dance company in Vientiane. In 2023, the Japan Foundation presented a collaborative work with Japanese pianist Saito Kazuya, 10 local dancers, and two musicians playing the khaen (a bamboo wind instrument similar to the Japanese sho) and taiko drums at the Lao National Cultural Hall, and rehearsals for this collaboration were held at the Blackbox. It was a moving moment to see art been born when the surrounding artists responded to the dance by Ole, the choreographer of Fanglao. It is a magical and fascinating space, not too small, not too large, which helps the artists heighten each other when the kind of their sprits communicate each other.

Although I myself had no connection to Laos before I was posted here, when I came here, it was like being in heaven: the people here are gentle and kind, so I have had no negative experiences with them, and the food is varied and delicious. It is no wonder that many Japanese people who have had some involvement with Laos are repeat visitors.

Malaysia

Highlights of Malaysia:
As told by locally-based Japan Foundation staff

Speaker: Umeeda Masako, staff member
She has been living in Malaysia for five years, and also has lived and worked in Thailand (Bangkok) and the U.S. (New York).

Malaysia today: ASEAN's number one when it comes to development of the country as a whole, including rural areas

I have visited all the ASEAN countries, and with the exception of Singapore, I feel that Malaysia stands out from the rest in terms of the level of development. This is because in the other ASEAN countries, even if the capital is a big city, there is a huge gap between the capital and the other parts of the country. Malaysia's provincial cities may not have any skyscrapers or huge malls, but the infrastructure is well-developed, and I feel that the gap between the capital city and the rest of the country is small, which I think is a difference from other ASEAN countries.

Masjid Jamek, the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur, is close to the city center

As Islam is the state religion, one might assume that the society is very restrictive, but Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country whose people are approximately 60% Malay, 30% Chinese, and 10% Indian. When walking around town, you may see Chinese women in revealing fashions. Since there are many Indian people, Hindu temples are located here and there, and in December, Christmas trees are all over the city, even though it is a celebration of another religion. On the other hand, women need to be very careful not to show too much skin, especially in public places such as public schools, and I have the impression that the discipline in daily life appears to be enforced more strictly than in Brunei, which is also an Islamic country known for its stricter practices. This may be because Muslims need to emphasize their customs more because of the multi-ethnicity.

Because it is a multi-ethnic society, the cuisine is also more authentic, whether Malay, Chinese, or Indian.

Retirement migration and education migration. Why is Malaysia known as the number-one country to migrate to?

Malaysia has long been listed as the "number one country to move to" in Japan, and this is probably due in no small part to the fact that even in provincial cities, the infrastructure is well-developed and you can live a comfortable life there.

In addition to retiring overseas, migration for educational purposes is also popular these days, and in particular, many people are considering mother-child migration in order to raise their children in an English-speaking environment. It's more affordable than in Western countries, offers a strong English-language education environment, and has a large Chinese community, so students can also learn Chinese if they wish. These factors make it an attractive option.

English is often understood without problems at food stalls and markets. At one time, even the main subjects of secondary education were taught in English. I think this is because English is a semi-official language and is used daily as a common language among Malay, Chinese, and Indian residents in the country, rather than to cater to tourists and other visitors.

Many students learn Japanese as a hobby, rather than for their livelihood

Malaysia ranks 10th in the world in the number of Japanese language learners. Unlike China, which has population in the hundreds of millions (number 1 in the world for Japanese language learners) and Indonesia (number 1 for the same in ASEAN), Malaysia's population is only 33 million people, which means that the number of Japanese language learners per capita is very large. Behind this is the Look East Policy of Prime Minister Mahathir's era, which has a history of sending many foreign students to learn from Japan.

Today, however, starting salaries in Malaysia are now approaching those in Japan, and if one is only deciding based on salary, Singapore is located right next door. In other words, the motivation to definitely want to go to Japan, even if it means learning Japanese, in order to make a better living has waned considerably.

The reason why there are still so many learners despite all this is that many people are studying it purely as a hobby. I sense this characteristic among Japanese language learners in Malaysia.

The popularity of Doraemon is on the same level as it is in Japan!

In terms of the latest culture, Korean K-pop tends to dominate, but we often hear people say that "Japan is still the place to go" as a travel destination. Japan is long from north to south, giving it four distinct seasons, so there are many places and seasons that even those who have been there once have not yet been to or experienced. This means there are many repeat visitors.

As for pop culture, anime is very popular, and the younger generation of Malaysians are much more familiar with the latest Japanese animation series than I am as a Japanese person. Moreover, Doraemon is just as well-known and pervasive in everyday life as in Japan. When a strict lockdown was imposed in Malaysia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a high-ranking government official at the time said that when a wife talks to her husband, she should use a cute voice like Doraemon's as a secret for family happiness, which blew up as to why that way of speaking is good. In other words, Doraemon is so well known that the character can be used as an example.

Recently, one of the main characters in the anime Jujutsu Kaisen mentioned Kuantan as a place he would like to visit, which went viral a lot in Malaysia. The fact that it was Kuantan and not a famous resort like Langkawi or Redang seemed to have struck Malaysians, and the government of Pahang, the state where Kuantan is located, even expressed its desire to build a monument to commemorate it.

Suddenly, there's yet another holiday on the calendar?! Malaysia is flexible and tolerant of change

In fact, Malaysia is the country with the most national holidays in the world. One reason for this is that the holidays of each major ethnic group are designated as a national holiday, so for example, there are four New Year holidays. In addition, since many people vote in national elections in their hometowns rather than their current addresses, the day before the election date becomes a national holiday, and the day after the Kuala Lumpur team wins the national soccer league championship for the first time in 30 years can suddenly become a national holiday too. It is difficult to adjust your work around these sudden holidays, but Malaysians seem to accept them with pleasure. This is one of the reasons why I feel that Malaysians are flexible to change and generally calm and tolerant.

Personally, I would definitely recommend the natural beauty of Malaysia! In particular, the island of Borneo is home to Mount Kinabalu (4,095 meters), the highest mountain in Malaysia, which features a refreshing climate and magnificent scenery. At the sanctuary, you can see orangutans, which means "people of the forest" in Malay, walking around just like actual people. The first time I saw one, I thought, "Is that a person walking around in a costume?" I hope that many people will discover the various charms of Malaysia.

Continued in Articles from Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam

Interviews and text: Kimura Yasuko

Page top▲

• Back to previous page
• Next page