By V. Sivaji
In an effort to diversify the composition of tourist arrivals in Penang, the Penang State Government is actively exploring the feasibility of establishing direct air connectivity between Japan and Penang.
As part of this effort, the state has forged closer collaboration with Japan Airlines (JAL) to explore opportunities to strengthen air connectivity and promote Penang as a preferred destination for Japanese travellers.
The update was shared by Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Wong Hon Wai, during his speech at the launch of the Bunka Festival at Gurney Walk along Gurney Drive yesterday evening.
The Bunka Festival is an annual open-house event held by schools and universities across Japan, where students showcase their academic achievements, creative projects and extracurricular activities.
Wong said the Penang State Government has rolled out a series of concrete initiatives to strengthen Penang’s presence in the Japanese tourism market.
“The Penang State Government has rolled out concrete initiatives. We have produced comprehensive Japanese-language promotional materials, including brochures and videos, to enable Japanese travellers to better appreciate Penang’s unique appeal.
“We have also led Penang’s tourism industry representatives in actively reaching out to the Japanese market, conducting roadshows in both Tokyo and Osaka, while engaging in direct and in-depth dialogue with local travel professionals.
“At the same time, we have arranged familiarisation trips for Japanese tour operators, allowing them to experience first-hand the rich diversity of Penang’s tourism resources and products.”
According to the latest data, more than 6,000 Japanese tourists arrived in Penang directly by air or cruise between January and July 2026.
Wong pointed out that the figure does not include Japanese visitors who first entered Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur or other states before travelling to Penang by domestic flight or overland.
“As such, the actual number of Japanese visitors to Penang is considerably higher than what this statistic reflects,” he added.
Also present at the event was the Consul General of Japan in Penang, His Excellency Mr Shinya Machida.
Wong said the state’s initial plan is to introduce direct connectivity through charter flight services, a short-term cooperative arrangement involving airlines and travel agents.
“In addition, our initial plan is to launch this through charter services, a short-term cooperative arrangement between airlines and travel agents.
“This approach will serve two purposes: first, to meet the seasonal demand from Japanese travellers visiting Penang during peak holiday periods; and second, to provide airlines with a valuable opportunity to test the market.
“Such an approach will help lay a solid foundation for more diversified and longer-term bilateral cooperation in the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, the two-day Bunka Festival was jointly organised by Gurney Walk and Brainway Event Management, with the Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia as co-organiser.
Through the collaboration, the festival aims to provide a more engaging and interactive platform for the public to experience and appreciate Japanese culture, while further strengthening the people-to-people ties between Penang and Japan.
Over the two days, the festival features more than 20 booths and five hands-on cultural workshops open to public participation.
Through a combination of culture, food, education, creativity and entertainment, the festival offers a wide range of experiences for visitors of all ages.
The festival also provides students with opportunities to perform on stage, participate in cultural activities and interact with people from different backgrounds. These experiences enable students to broaden their perspectives, build confidence and develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of different cultures.
Beyond celebrating Japanese culture, events such as the Bunka Festival also contribute to strengthening the longstanding cultural and people-to-people connections between Penang and Japan, an important foundation as Penang seeks to deepen its appeal among Japanese visitors and further expand tourism ties with Japan.