Abstract
Retirement Migration: The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Program and the Japanese Retirees in Penang
Highlights
Rapid urbanisation coupled with continuous economic globalisation has led to increased modernity across various parts of the world
Penang has a rich history in cultural cosmopolitanism, because it served as a colony of the British Empire but it was a significant entrepot that witnessed the fusion of diverse identities (Loh 2009)
Why is Malaysia a top choice for Japanese retirees? Megumi Ono found in her studies that Japanese retirees enrolling themselves in the MM2H program chose Malaysia for its “low cost of living, good climate and geography, a good living environment, efficient visa systems, availability of care for the elderly, satisfaction from ikigai activities and the existence of Japanese communities” (2008: 157)
Summary
Rapid urbanisation coupled with continuous economic globalisation has led to increased modernity across various parts of the world. Megumi Ono found in her studies that Japanese retirees enrolling themselves in the MM2H program chose Malaysia for its “low cost of living, good climate and geography, a good living environment, efficient visa systems, availability of care for the elderly, satisfaction from ikigai (reason for living) activities and the existence of Japanese communities” (2008: 157) Associations such as the Japan Club in Kuala Lumpur provide opportunities for retirees to socialise, settle in to their new environment, and stay energetic through various planned activities (Shakuto-Neoh 2014). The LEP further provided the motivation in the case of Japan It marked Malaysia’s interest in international retirement migration and intention to help ease restrictions for financially independent foreign retirees to move into and experience the country’s diverse cultures, and to contribute to the local economy and community development in the process. In June 2000, the CHQLS took up the idea and set an ambitious target to bring in 20,000 participants in 3 years as well as to spend RM20 million “on promotional and marketing activities worldwide” (Travel Weekly 2000). the targeted figure was not achieved, there were an expanded participation from other countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.
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