KUCHING, Jan 20: The return of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) to Kuching this year underlines its important role in promoting cultural and mutual understanding between the peoples of Japan and Sarawak.
According to Assistant Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, JFF has been providing platforms and avenues of cultural exchange for people in the two countries since 1989.
“This year the festival is to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Look East Policy which was initiated back in 1982,” he said when officiating at the opening ceremony of JFF 2021 at the Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) Cityone Megamall, yesterday.
Snowdan was representing Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Snowdan expressed his appreciation to the Japan Foundation in Kuala Lumpur, an independent administrative agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan headed by Director Shimada Seiya, for its dedication in carrying carry out comprehensive international cultural exchange programmes between Japan and Malaysia.
Snowdan also conveyed his gratitude to Mitsubishi Corporation and its Chief Executive in Malaysia and General Manager of Kuala Lumpur Office Shiraishi Masashi, for supporting and sponsoring this festival while supporting cinemas and great films and connecting people via three main pillars, namely Arts and Culture, Japanese Language Education and Japanese Studies. — DayakDaily
