Malaysia Japan Relations: Diplomacy and Education (Malay Version)

This book is a history research involving Malaysia-Japan relations in almost five decades covering aspects of diplomacy, economic cooperation and education. This is not a history work that is the most ever produced but the author believes it should be served to the readers because of its contents discussed several important issues involving Malaysia's foreign policy in the field of diplomacy, economy and education. Originally this book is the result of a doctoral degree in history from Universiti Sains Malaysia but has been modified and edited to meet the needs of publishing for public reading. Some of the chapters that touch the Look East Policy has been published by the author but have been exaggerated to be reproduced in this book.


Opinion
This book is a history research involving Malaysia-Japan relations in almost five decades covering aspects of diplomacy, economic cooperation and education. This is not a history work that is the most ever produced but the author believes it should be served to the readers because of its contents discussed several important issues involving Malaysia's foreign policy in the field of diplomacy, economy and education. Originally this book is the result of a doctoral degree in history from Universiti Sains Malaysia but has been modified and edited to meet the needs of publishing for public reading. Some of the chapters that touch the Look East Policy has been published by the author but have been exaggerated to be reproduced in this book.
As an academic study, this book basically involves research to collect data and information using a variety of sources that include written and oral sources. The authors try to write with approaches and methods that are easily understood even bound by the rules of historical writing. Work history involving Malaysia-Japan relations after Merdeka era somewhat less in the market because most writers are more likely to pay attention to the Japanese occupation in Malaya between 1941 to 1945. The author's duration of the time is quite long, from the time of Malaya gained independence until the late 1990s. During the course there are many important events and changes taking place involving relations between the two countries.
Two aspects that addressed by the authors are diplomacy and cooperation in education and training. Diplomacy is also involved bilateral relations in economy, trade, investment, aid and cooperation between the two countries and at the regional level with ASEAN. Nevertheless, this issue is focused in the period 1957-1970, while an association and cooperation between Malaysia and Japan in the 1980s and so is more focused on education and training. The author takes the approach of separating discussions on the two issues in a certain period because of the opinion that it can highlight two different issues at different times of the background but still connected and interconnected. Other key issues discussed included the benefits and drawbacks that exist throughout the relations between the two countries.
The book is divided into six chapters. The first chapter describes the process of normalization of relations and the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Japan Malaya after independence in 1957. This chapter also examines regional development in the 1960s and 1970s, especially those involving policy and the role of Japan in Southeast Asia. The second chapter discusses the issues of cooperation in trade and investment, economic and other aid in addition to the question of relationships involving cooperation in education and training. This chapter describes the policies and approaches taken by Japan in cooperation with Malaysia that uses a two-pronged strategy to provide assistance to establish a good relationship but at the same time aiming to get a lot of benefits from this country.
The third chapter describes the Malaysia-Japan relations from the 1980s when Dr. Mahathir became Prime Minister while Mr. Nakasone led Japan. Under the leadership of Dr. Mahathir, Malaysia's foreign policy is seen more aggressive and proactive efforts that show highlighting the role of Malaysia in the international arena. Specifically related to Japan and Britain, Dr. Mahathir made a surprise by introducing the Look East Policy and subsequently Buy British Last inviting various reactions. The fourth chapter focuses on interesting experiences of Malaysian students in Japan. This chapter is based on field research conducted by the author involved former students and individuals who are directly involved with the study program in Japan.
The fifth chapter discusses the influence of Japanese culture on the culture of Malaysian students in career. The discussion in this chapter attempts to answer the question of how far the Japanese work culture influence Malaysian students who have returned to work in the country. The discussion in this chapter is based on field studies conducted. This chapter can be considered among the most important in the context of determining whether the desire to send students from Malaysia to Japan to emulate their successful work achieved or otherwise.
The sixth chapter is the last chapter sums up this book. Two important issues will be discussed in this chapter. First is about the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Japan in the late 1957-1970 period. Next is related to the education program under the Look East policy that started in the 1980s. The author hopes that readers will benefit by increasing their knowledge related to the topics discussed. The author has tried his best to produce a literature to add to the reading material collection, while also contributing to the development of science and culture in Malaysia.