Japan group marks 30-yr partnership with Sarawak on courtesy visit

The courtesy visit from JMA marks a special milestone whereby Japan and Sarawak have been working together in advancing sustainable forest management and restoration efforts for 30 years, since 1995.

KUCHING, 6 April 2026 – Director of Forests, Datu Haji Hamden bin Haji Mohammad received a courtesy visit from the president of the Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA), Takakazu Ogawa, and members of the JMA delegation at the Sarawak Forest Department’s headquarters in Kuching earlier today. The visit is part of a four-day trip to Kuching by the JMA group from Apr 4-7, 2026, which also includes field trips to forest areas where tree-planting and restoration work is being carried out.

The occasion marks a special milestone whereby Japan and Sarawak have been working together in advancing sustainable forest management and restoration efforts for 30 years, since 1995. Over that time, the two sides have planted more than one million trees. It is a major achievement that supports wildlife, nature conservation, and efforts to fight climate change in the region.

During the visit, both sides took the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the partnership and discuss plans for future work in forest conservation and sustainable forest management.

The Sarawak Forest Department thanked the JMA for its long-running support and contributions to restoring Sarawak's forests.

Also present at the meeting were Head of the Restoration and Industrial Forest Division, Zarina binti Haji Shebli, senior officers from the Department, and the JMA's coordinator for Sarawak, Kazue Sakai.