Invitation Programme for Young Intellectuals in Southeast Asia 2015

• Main Author: Wong, Bemen
• Format: Magazine and Newsletter
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur 2016
• Subjects: G Geography (General); H Social Sciences (General); HM Sociology
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/11205/1/TB-2016-AprMay-06.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/11205/; http://www.jfkl.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TB-2016-AprMay-06.pdf

Thanks to the Japan Foundation, I was selected to represent my university, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, at a regional programme exploring the revitalisation of rural areas and creation of new values. I was among 11 young intellectuals from six countries; namely Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Spread over a period of nine days, we visited Tokyo, Noto Peninsula, Kanazawa and Toshima. Throughout the trip, we attended lectures and seminars given by government officials as well as experts from relevant fields. The experiences and stories shared by the people of Noto Peninsula enlightened us on the many efforts, initiatives and interventions the Japanese government has conducted in addressing the issues of depopulation and rural revitalisation, which thus far has produced positive results. I would like to thank the Japan Foundation once again for extending me this opportunity. The ideas, knowledge and networks I have gained from this programme has sparked a flame within me to further study Japan in my future research activities.