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2nd Japanese Studies Essay Contest and Mentorship Programme 2025

Start Date: 1/5/2025 - End Date: 25/10/2025 :::

This event ended successfully on the 25th of October. Read a summary of the event below!

A group photo with VIPs, judges, and audience

25 October, UKM– On a momentous Saturday, over a hundred guests filled the Perdana Hall, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to witness the final event of the 2nd Japanese Studies Essay Contest and Mentorship Programme in a symposium titled ‘The Next Generation Symposium on Japanese Studies (2025)’.

The morning segment of the symposium was dedicated solely for the essay contest participants. Prof. Dr. Sity Daud gave the opening speech as the venue host and co-organizer of the contest. Mr. Tsukamoto Norihisa, Director of JFKL was next on stage to express his appreciation to the three co-organizers: JFKL, MAJAS, FSSK, UKM on the 2nd edition of this contest. Our guest of honour, Mr. NARUKAMA Hiromitsu, Managing Director of Mitsui & Co. Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and honorable sponsor of the contest graced the event to share an enlightening video of Mitsui’s purpose and services and gave a powerful speech on the organization’s support for Japanese Studies. 

Following the opening ceremony, the evaluation for the Mitsui Malaysia Best Presenter Award begins! A separate category from the essay submission itself, this award was evaluated on the day  by Mitsui Malaysia’s judging panel to assess the presentation skills of all 13 finalists of the essay contest where only deserving student will win the coveted title. One by one, our finalists took the stage confidently and presented on their essays ranging from natural disasters to rural depopulation while popular topics were on Japan-Malaysia food influence and subculture fashion. 

Presentation by one of the finalists

After a quick break, it was time for the much-anticipated Winners Announcement Ceremony. The crowd erupted into cheers as the emcee revealed the names of each winner. Following the announcement, each mentee were invited on stage to receive a certificate of participation for their hard work and dedication to the contest. Congratulations to all mentees of the Japanese Studies Essay Contest and Mentorship Programme!

Winners of the Undergraduate Category along with their mentors
Winners of the Postgraduate Category along with their mentors
Essay: Postgraduate Category
Placing Name Essay Topic Mentor
1st Place Muhammad Syahrizal Theng Bin Abdullah
(Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris)
How has Japanese popular culture been globalized, and what impact has this cultural flow had on international audiences, particularly in Malaysia? Dr. Mohamad Ikhram bin Mohamad Ridzuan

(Universiti Malaysia Sabah)

2nd Place  Muhammad Fahmie Eizani bin Rosle (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) How has Japanese cuisine been adapted to suit local tastes and preferences in Malaysia, and what does this reveal about cultural exchange processes? Dr. Geetha Govindasamy

(Universiti Malaya)

3rd Place Siti Sarah binti Abdul Rahman
(UniKL MIIT City Campus)
In what ways do Japan’s fashion subcultures express individual identity and cultural meaning within contemporary Japanese society?  Dr. Nur Hafeeza Ahmad Pazil

(Universiti Sains Malaysia)

Essay: Undergraduate Category
Placing Name Essay Topic Mentor
1st Place Siti Safya Omar binti Mohd Azam (Universiti Sains Malaysia) How has Japanese cuisine been adapted to suit local tastes and preferences in Malaysia, and what does this reveal about cultural exchange processes? Dr. Normalis binti Amzah
(Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
2nd Place Elysa Batrisyia binti Mohd Faizul (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) In what ways do Japan’s fashion subcultures express individual identity and cultural meaning within contemporary Japanese society? Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roslina Mamat

(Universiti Putra Malaysia)

3rd Place & Mitsui Malaysia Best Presenter Award Wan Zafirzan bin Wan Tarmizan (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) What are the main factors contributing to rural depopulation in Japan, and what innovative solutions have been effective in addressing its consequences? Dr. Geetha Govindasamy

(Universiti Malaya)

Mitsui Malaysia Best Presenter Award Wan Zafirzan bin Wan Tarmizan (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) What are the main factors contributing to rural depopulation in Japan, and what innovative solutions have been effective in addressing its consequences? Dr. Geetha Govindasamy

(Universiti Malaya)

Click here to read the winning essays!

Following the ceremony, the crowd dispersed for a lunch break before the PM session of the symposium. Click HERE for a summary of the second part featuring roundtable sessions with students and academicians. 

Join us to witness the final stage of the contest! More details below.

Join us to witness the mentees’ presentation of their final essay and find out who the winner for “The Second Japanese Studies Essay Contest and Mentorship Programme 2025” is! 

DATE: 25 October 2025; 9:30AM – 5:30PM (Registration starts at 9:00AM) 

VENUE: Perdana Hall, Faculty of Social Science & Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) 

REGISTRATION LINK: https://forms.gle/3acthRz4ojXVJGSV8  

Free transportation by charter bus is also available! Scan the QR code to register! 

A total of 15 mentees have been chosen to the next stage of the contest: Mentorship Programme. Mentees are currently undergoing mentorship until 7th September. Shortlisted mentees are listed below!

MENTOR

MENTEE

Dr. Geetha Govindasamy

(Senior Lecturer, Department of East Asian Studies, Universiti Malaya)

1. Wan Zafirzan bin Wan Tarmizan (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)

Q: What are the main factors contributing to rural depopulation in Japan, and what innovative solutions have been effective in addressing its consequences?

2. Meesha (Taylor’s University)

Q: What are the primary differences between the public transport systems of Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur, and how can Kuala Lumpur benefit from Tokyo’s transportation strategies?

3. Muhammad Fahmie Eizani bin Rosle (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Q: How has Japanese cuisine been adapted to suit local tastes and preferences in Malaysia, and what does this reveal about cultural exchange processes?

Dr. Normalis binti Amzah

(Senior Lecturer, Pusat Kajian Bahasa & Linguistik, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

1. Siti Safya Omar binti Mohd Azam (Universiti Sains Malaysia)

Q: How has Japanese cuisine been adapted to suit local tastes and preferences in Malaysia, and what does this reveal about cultural exchange processes?

2. Emilia Batrisha binti Mohammad Sofian (Multimedia University)

Q: In what ways do Japan’s fashion subcultures express individual identity and cultural meaning within contemporary Japanese society?

3. Su Chen (Universiti Malaya)

Q: In what ways do Japan’s fashion subcultures express individual identity and cultural meaning within contemporary Japanese society?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roslina Mamat

(Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Modern Language and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia)

1. Elysa Batrisya binti Mohd Faizul (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Q: In what ways do Japan’s fashion subcultures express individual identity and cultural meaning within contemporary Japanese society?

2. Choo Ziyin (Universiti Malaya)

Q: How has Japanese cuisine been adapted to suit local tastes and preferences in Malaysia, and what does this reveal about cultural exchange processes?

3. Moganapria Palanyveloo (Universiti Malaya)

Q: What impacts have Japan-Malaysia student exchange programs had on participants, and what are the prospects for enhancing bilateral educational collaboration?

Dr. Mohamad Ikhram bin Mohamad Ridzuan

(Senior Lecturer, Program Hubungan Antarabangsa, Fakulti Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan, Universiti Malaysia Sabah)

1. Wong Sau Kum, Geraldine (Universiti Sains Malaysia)

Q: How do Japan and Malaysia differ in their approaches to managing natural disasters, and what insights can each country offer the other in disaster preparedness and response?

2. Nuryusma Athirah binti Yusri Amir (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Q: What key differences and similarities exist between the education systems of Japan and Malaysia, and what lessons can Malaysia draw from Japan’s experience?

3. Muhammad Syahrizal Theng Bin Abdullah (Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris)

Q: How has Japanese popular culture been globalized, and what impact has this cultural flow had on international audiences, particularly in Malaysia?

Dr. Nur Hafeeza Ahmad Pazil

(Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia)

  1. Geetha A/P Kalai Chelvan (University of Cyberjaya)

Q: How has Japan contributed to global sustainability initiatives and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and what challenges does it face in achieving these goals

  2. Lim Zi Ying (Universiti Malaya)

Q: What role does Japan play in the global digital economy, and what specific innovations and challenges can Malaysia learn from Japan’s experience?

  3. Siti Sarah binti Abdul Rahman (UniKL MIIT City Campus)

Q: In what ways do Japan’s fashion subcultures express individual identity and cultural meaning within contemporary Japanese society?

Mentor Mentee Announcement Ceremony

THE 2ND JAPANESE STUDIES ESSAY CONTEST AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME 2025

Items Information & Documents
Organizers
Sponsor
Application Documents
  1. Official Poster (PNG)
  2. Contest Guidelines (PDF)
  3. Abstract Questions (PDF)
  4. Application Form- Undergraduate Category (Word)
  5. Application Form- Postgraduate Category (Word)

 

Language of Abstract
English Only

Japanese Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to the study of Japan’s language, culture, society, politics, economy, and history. It encompasses both traditional area studies approaches and contemporary methods that situate Japan within regional and global contexts.

Past Year’s Contest Details:

2024

Details

Start:
1/5
End:
25/10
Event Category: