For many Malaysians who move abroad to study or work, the experience can be both exciting and daunting. The thrill of exploring a new country comes with the challenge of adjusting to an unfamiliar culture, often without a strong support system. Recognising this, Kathrine Leong founded Anak in Nihon (AIN), a community group aimed at bringing Malaysians in Japan together.
Creating a Malaysian Community in Japan
Anak in Nihon was born out of Kathrine’s personal experience. Having lived in Japan for nearly two years, she found it surprisingly difficult to meet fellow Malaysians outside of the occasional chance encounters at sports sessions.
“Whenever I went for badminton, I could easily meet them, but we wouldn’t connect that much outside of the sessions,” she shared.
She also noticed that Malaysians arriving in Japan, whether for work or studies, often found themselves alone without a support network.
This inspired her to create Anak in Nihon, a space where Malaysians could gather, find support and foster friendships. “If they need extra support or want to make friends from a familiar homeland, then we are here for them,” she said. Since its establishment in January 2024, the group has steadily grown, thanks to a series of festive events, gatherings and virtual meetups.
Fostering Unity Abroad Through Shared Festivities
In its bid to bring Malaysians in Japan together, many of Anak in Nihon’s events focus on local cultural and festive celebrations.
Since last year, it has hosted two Chinese New Year gatherings, and Kathrine has plans to hold similar events for Hari Raya and Deepavali this year. While she admits the latter two are a bit of a challenge due to her limited social circle, she remains committed to bringing together a diverse Malaysian community.
Kathrine also does her best to ensure all Anak in Nihon events are inclusive. Being vegetarian herself, she is aware of the importance of taking dietary concerns and cultural beliefs into account.
“For Merdeka last year, I made sure the restaurant we chose is halal. For Chinese New Year, we did a potluck where people can bring their own food, and some of my Chinese friends would even ask if we have Muslim friends joining so they can take that into consideration when preparing the food,” she explained.
One of the group’s largest gatherings is the Merdeka celebration, which attracted over 20 people last year, and is slated to be held annually. In addition, Anak in Nihon has organised free screenings for local films such as Abang Adik. These gatherings are attended primarily by professionals, followed by families.
“I’ve realised that there are a lot of Malaysian families in Japan, so I’m looking to conduct more family-friendly activities like beach cleaning and badminton sessions,” said Kathrine.
In the Malaysian spirit of diversity and hospitality, Anak in Nihon’s hangouts are open to all international friends as well. During this year’s Chinese New Year gathering, non-Malaysian guests from Japan, Canada, and the U.S. joined in, taking part in the traditional lou sang prosperity toss and learning about the festival’s significance.
Expanding Anak in Nihon’s Reach
Although based in Tokyo, Kathrine understands that Malaysians are scattered across Japan, which limits the number of participants for in-person events. To bridge this gap, she organises virtual meetups, allowing Malaysians from cities like Fukuoka and Osaka to connect and share their experiences.
“Some even come from Taiwan but are looking to move to Japan soon. So, they join us and can get more information about living here,” said Kathrine.
These online sessions, though casual, provide a much-needed space for Malaysians to chat, exchange cultural insights, and offer advice on navigating life in Japan.
Looking ahead, Kathrine has bigger plans for Anak in Nihon. She envisions the group evolving into a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) within the next three years. “I don’t aim to earn money from this; I just hope to provide an avenue where Malaysians can come together,” she said.
Expanding the team is also a priority, as running the group alone has been a demanding task. She is actively seeking like-minded individuals who share her values and vision of fostering a warm and inclusive Malaysian community abroad.
Once she expands the team, Kathrine hopes to leverage the added manpower to connect Anak in Nihon with other Malaysian-oriented associations such as MSAJ (Malaysian Students’ Association Japan).
MyHeart had the pleasure of meeting Kathrine and its community members at their picnic gathering during the Malaysia Fair Tokyo 2024. As a registered member, MyHeart hopes to support future activities and initiatives organised by Anak In Nihon in their pursuit to foster relationships with even more Malaysians across Japan.
Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream in Japan
Kathrine’s journey to Japan began with a childhood love for anime and a growing fascination with Japanese culture.
Before making the move to Japan, she worked in Singapore for three years, during which she studied the Japanese language. While her reading and writing skills improved, she struggled with speaking due to the lack of conversation partners.
Once Japan reopened its borders post-pandemic, she decided to take the leap and enrol in a language school there.
“I just wanted to push myself. I thought, if I can study Japanese here for even just a year, I can definitely polish my oral skills,” she reflected.
Now in her third year living in Japan, Kathrine keeps herself busy with multiple roles. Apart from teaching piano, she also co-founded a travel company called Tabigo that helps Malaysian travellers navigate Japan. She also creates content about her experiences living abroad via her YouTube channel, @Katspace___.
On top of all that, Kathrine stays connected to her roots by making it a point to return to her hometown of Ipoh once a year.
A Labour of Love
Juggling so many hats at once can be overwhelming. Yet, the appreciation and gratitude she receives from fellow Malaysians keep her going. “Every time I host an event, I can tell that everyone really appreciates it,” she said.
“They will come up to me and thank me for hosting it and for connecting them.”
Although she has encountered critics who feel she is “wasting her time” running a non-revenue generating initiative, she is unfazed.
“I have always believed that giving back to your community is important,” she stated simply.
Do you lead or run an organisation that brings Malaysians abroad together? Introduce your organisation and its events to a wider audience by signing up with MyHeart today!
