Malaysia–Japan partnership yields skilled workforce and overseas placements for youth

A LONG-STANDING Malaysia–Japan partnership in skills development has enabled more than 1,000 Malaysian youths to undergo industrial training in Japan, with thousands more trained domestically, underscoring nearly six decades of institutional cooperation between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the collaboration between Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and the Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA), which began in 1967, has delivered tangible outcomes for young Malaysians.

“This year marks nearly six decades of cooperation between Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and the Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) since it began in 1967.

“Since the beginning, more than 1,000 youths have undergone industrial training in Japan, while another 3,000 have followed domestic skills programmes, with around 70 per cent now employed in the private sector, particularly Japanese multinational companies,” he said.

He was speaking at the Gala Dinner of the MARA-OISCA International Business Forum 2026 here. Also present were OISCA International Executive Vice President Yasuaki Nagaishi and MARA Chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Zahid, who also serves as Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said relations between Malaysia and Japan have been built on trust, mutual respect and shared values dating back to 1957.

He noted that the MARA–OISCA collaboration has not only produced technically skilled workers but also nurtured disciplined, ethical and high-calibre young leaders.

In the context of an increasingly competitive global economy, he stressed that knowledge, innovation and digital technology have overtaken natural resources as the primary drivers of economic strength.

Separately, the MARA-OISCA International Business Forum (MOIBF) 2026 brought together approximately 300 entrepreneurs, comprising 200 Bumiputera entrepreneurs and 100 international participants, reflecting efforts to deepen cross-border commercial engagement alongside human capital development. - February 12, 2026