KUCHING, 14 August 2026 – YBhg. Datu Haji Hamden Bin Haji Mohammad, Director of Forests Sarawak today received a courtesy visit from a Japanese delegation, comprising Mr. Hisaki Nakasuji, Head of the Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu; Mr. Kyohei Sugaya, Vice-Consul; and Mdm. Kazue Sakai, Sarawak Coordinator of the Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA).
The visit provided an opportunity to exchange views and explore further cooperation in forestry, environmental conservation and sustainable forest management, building on the longstanding collaboration between Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) and its Japanese partners.
Among the key matters discussed were potential tree-planting initiatives to support forest restoration and environmental sustainability, while encouraging greater participation by local communities in conservation efforts. The discussion also touched on ongoing and potential collaborative initiatives involving local communities, particularly in supporting sustainable livelihoods, community development and forest conservation.
FDS and JMA have maintained a longstanding partnership in forest restoration and tree-planting initiatives in Sarawak since 1995. Over the years, these collaborative efforts have contributed to forest restoration while fostering greater involvement of local communities in the conservation and sustainable management of forest resources.
Forest Department Sarawak expressed its appreciation for the continued cooperation and support from its Japanese partners and looks forward to further strengthening this collaboration through future initiatives in forest restoration, conservation and community development, contributing towards the sustainable management of Sarawak's forest resources and the well-being of local communities.