WHEN Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg arrived in Tokyo this week, he carried more than just the Sarawak flag on an overseas mission. He brought with him decades of friendship – between Japan and Sarawak – built on shared respect, trust, and a mutual commitment to sustainability.
In recognition of his role in strengthening those ties, Abang Johari has been conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by Emperor Naruhito – one of Japan’s most prestigious honours. The award symbolises Japan’s deep appreciation of Sarawak’s contributions to environmental stewardship, renewable energy, and international cooperation.
But beyond the glitter of medals and ceremonies lies a story worth reflecting on – a story of two regions, vastly different in geography and history, yet united by their vision of a greener, more sustainable future.
A friendship rooted in the forests
The relationship between Sarawak and Japan did not begin in boardrooms or trade missions. It began in the forests.
Three decades ago, when the Sarawak Forest Department and the Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA) launched their first joint tropical rainforest rehabilitation project, few could have imagined how enduring that cooperation would become. What started as a technical partnership to restore degraded forests evolved into a model of environmental diplomacy.
Through shared research, training, and technology transfer, Sarawak and Japan have worked hand in hand to protect biodiversity and rehabilitate forest ecosystems. Thousands of seedlings have been planted, and many Sarawakian foresters trained under Japanese expertise now lead key conservation programmes at home.
This collaboration – celebrating its 30th anniversary this year – stands as a quiet but powerful reminder that sustainability is not achieved through declarations alone. It takes years of commitment, humility, and trust between partners.
From timber to technology
What makes the Sarawak-Japan relationship remarkable is how it has grown with time. Once anchored in timber and trade, it has transformed into a forward-looking partnership centred on green energy, innovation, and education.
Japan, a nation known for its discipline, efficiency, and technological foresight, found in Sarawak a reliable partner – one that shares its belief in steady progress through careful planning.
Under Abang Johari’s leadership, Sarawak’s vision for a green energy-driven economy has resonated deeply with Japan’s own sustainability goals. Both sides see hydrogen and ammonia as the next frontier in clean energy, and collaborations with major Japanese corporations have already begun, paving the way for knowledge sharing, infrastructure development, and stable energy supply.
This evolving relationship reflects not dependency, but interdependence – where Sarawak contributes its natural advantages and bold policy direction, and Japan offers world-class expertise and technology.
Beyond energy: People-to-People connections
While governments and companies can sign agreements, the soul of any partnership lies in its people.
Sarawak has nurtured close academic and cultural exchanges with Japan, sending young talents to study in Japanese universities and welcoming Japanese experts into local institutions. These programmes go beyond formal education – they shape mindsets, build empathy, and strengthen bridges of understanding.
For many Sarawakians who have studied or trained in Japan, the experience left a lasting impression: the precision in work, the respect for nature, and the belief that small, consistent efforts lead to great outcomes. In turn, the Japanese who have walked Sarawak’s rainforests or collaborated with local scientists discovered a community rich in resilience, warmth, and cultural diversity.
Such exchanges make the friendship between Sarawak and Japan more than just a diplomatic achievement – they make it personal, enduring, and human.
The honour that reflects a shared vision
When Emperor Naruhito presented The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to Abang Johari, it was more than a recognition of one leader’s achievements. It was also a salute to Sarawak’s journey – from a resource-based economy to one that values sustainability, research, and global cooperation.
The Rising Sun has long symbolised renewal and enlightenment. In many ways, it now also reflects the dawn of a new era in Sarawak’s international engagement – one rooted not in extraction, but in exchange; not in short-term gains, but in long-term vision.
This honour serves as a reminder that respect, like trust, must be earned. And Sarawak has earned it – through decades of genuine partnership, consistent leadership, and a clear moral compass that places people and planet first.
Looking ahead
As Sarawak continues to position itself as a global player in renewable energy and sustainable development, it must carry forward the same values that have defined its ties with Japan: discipline, integrity, and perseverance.
The forests that first brought Sarawak and Japan together are more than just landscapes – they are living symbols of collaboration and continuity. They remind us that every seed of goodwill planted between nations can, in time, grow into something far greater than either could imagined.
So, when the Rising Sun shines over Tokyo this week, it will also cast its light across the jungles and rivers of Borneo – illuminating a friendship that has weathered decades, and a future that continues to rise with promise.
Aden Nagrace is the Editor-in-Chief of Sarawak Tribune. The views expressed here are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the newspaper’s editorial stance. He can be reached at drnagrace@gmail.com
