Date Posted: 17 Apr 2008

KOTA KINABALU, April 16 (Bernama) -- Japanese tourists want service industry frontliners in Sabah to be conversant in Japanese language to assist them to get by in the state.

Consul-General of Japan Koichi Morita said Japanese tourists coming to Sabah had expressed concern over the lack of Japanese-speaking service providers.

"Language barrier had posed problems for them to get around. Maybe we would like to suggest to have more Japanese language courses for locals here, especially to those involved in the service industry like hotels, tourist spots and shopping centres. This will not only help Japanese tourists but will also be convenient for Japanese expatriates, especially retirees, who are choosing Malaysia as a popular destination to spend their retirement," he told Bernama during his visit to the Sabah bureau office today.

Morita suggested that service providers in the medical field should also take up Japanese language to assist expatriates in the state.

"Most Japanese are health-conscious and it will be very helpful if there are doctors who can speak Japanese," he said.

Morita said there are about 30 retired Japanese couples in Sabah and others who have made Sabah as their "second home" especially during the winter season in Japan.

He said many Japanese also make use of the three-month visa-free facility to spend the full period in Sabah.

Morita also expressed disappointment on the frequency of direct flights between Japan and Sabah which is twice weekly between Tokyo and Kota Kinabalu.

"A lot of Japanese like to come to Sabah because of the climate, the nature, food and friendly people. We hope Malaysia can increase the flight frequency and maybe arrange a flight to Osaka too. Currently, Japanese tourists wanting to fly to Osaka have to transit in from Kuala Lumpur and this incurs additional costs," he said.

Some 36,000 Japanese visit Sabah every year, he added.

Morita, who was accompanied by consul Takahito Suzuki, was briefed on the functions of Bernama by Bureau Chief Newmond Tibin.

-- BERNAMA

(Source: Sabah Tourism Press Release, 17 Apr 2008)