Malaysia Tomonkai

In July 2017, the Kuala Lumpur Tomonkai changed its name to the Malaysia Tomonkai.

About the Kuala Lumpur Tomonkai

The Tomonkai in Kuala Lumpur was established more than 30 years ago and currently consists of 110 active members. In recent years the number of young alumni and alumnae has been increasing greatly, and members of all ages, professions and genders continue to contribute actively to the association. The association’s activities include the yearly general meeting, bimonthly golf, and various drinking parties which aim to increase friendship between alumni of different generations. In order to encourage links with other Universities, the association also organizes the biannual Waseda-Keio Golf Tournament, the Waseda-Keio joint year-end party, and other various inter-collegiate golf tournaments. When we compete against Keio University, our eternal rival, we fight fiercely for our alma mater in our crimson uniforms, but when the match is over, all the contestants from Keio and Waseda universities alike mingle and toast to each other’s health. Our most recent record against Keio is five wins followed by three losses. For the joint year-end parties many members bring their families as well, and after a rousing good time we close the festivities with a rendition of our school songs. Our association will give a warm welcome to all Waseda alumni, whether native to Malaysia or just visiting on holiday, so if you come to Malaysia please drop by!
Ryo Moriwake (Graduated in 1993, School of Education)

The attractive points of Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, capital of the fast growing nation of Malaysia, combines the romance of an ancient city with the glittering skyscrapers of a modern one and offers a wealth of multicultural experiences and ethnic foods. Whether it’s gazing from your hotel window at the Petronas Twin Towers, two of the tallest buildings in the world, or enjoying the sight of Colonial-era buildings lit up against the sky, Kuala Lumpur’s night views are definitely world-class. After checking out the views, I often like to grab a beer or a “Teh Tarik” (Malaysian sweet black tea) from a local food cart and chat with the locals while watching football until late at night. Modern Malaysians have also inherited a variety of cultural and religious traditions from Malay, Chinese and Indian sources, and are quite friendly and love a chat. If I catch a cold, a Malay coworker will sometimes give me some vitamins used by Muslims on their pilgrimage to Mecca; or an Indian friend might give me some herbs often used in Ayurvedic medicine. Malaysia’s national airline “Air Asiana” also offers many daily flights to both domestic and international destinations, so it’s remarkably easy to book a trip to a nearby beach resort or World Heritage site when you are ready for a break from work.
Erika Noguchi (Graduated in 2007, School of Commerce)

Message from the Chairperson

Since being posted to Kuala Lumpur in 1995 I have been a member of the Tomonkai here for 20 years and have served as its chairman since 2005. As chairman, I have tried to strengthen ties and encourage mutual friendship between Waseda alumni here in Kuala Lumpur. Compared to our neighbors to the north and to the south (Thailand and Singapore), it must be admitted that Malaysia is often overlooked by Japanese. However, as a result of the dizzying pace of economic growth these last 20 years, in addition to becoming a popular request for overseas transfers, many Japanese are choosing to move to Malaysia after retirement and start their “second lives” here. There are over 1000 Japanese companies with branches here, and more than 100 members in our alumni organization. In addition to enjoying rounds of golf in a tropical paradise, members and their families get together for events year-round. We here at the Kuala Lumpur Tomonkai strive to provide a relaxing and active environment for our members that helps them to contribute not only to the steady growth of our beloved Malaysia but also to the international fame of Waseda University as well.
Masaru Inoue (Graduated in 1983, School of Sociology)

Messages from the Members

It has already been two years since I was posted to Kuala Lumpur; I love playing golf in Malaysia’s endless summer weather and the local snacks and sweets offered before meetings are delicious. Malaysians are by and large very warm, sociable and friendly towards Japanese which, when combined with its low cost of living, makes it an ideal location for Japanese expats. Amid the nation-wide boom in the construction of infrastructure, office buildings and department stores, and planning a bid for a new high-speed rail linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, business at my firm is going strong.
Roberto Ryusuke Hosomi (Graduated in 1993, School of Politics and Economics)

I’ve been in Kuala Lumpur since April of 2013. I was introduced to the Tomonkai in Kuala Lumpur through a friend of mine. Members use the Tomonkai as a way to break down the barriers of age and profession and communicate with other alumni over a drink, a round of golf or other events. Especially for Japanese expats, being graduates from the same university becomes an important link. I’m looking forward to participating in future events and I hope to learn a lot from them!
Nobuhiro Ojio (Graduated in 2001, School of Commerce)

I am in charge of organizing the yearly general meeting and the Waseda-Keio joint year-end party. I have been in Malaysia for 3 and a half years now, and in that time the association’s events have become an important part of my daily life. Although the number of Japanese living in Malaysia is comparatively small, thanks to the efforts and influence of Waseda University, I manage to make new connections in the most surprising ways. From our golf matches against alumni from Keio and other Japanese universities to our year-end parties, we are always holding an event of some kind. And of course, at the end of every event we always sing a spirited rendition of Waseda’s school song. I’m looking forward to shouting “Beat Keio” during my next golf session with my fellow alums.
Osamu Fujita (Graduated in 2010, Graduate School of Science and Engineering)

I moved to Malaysia from Taiwan a year and a half ago and joined the Tomonkai through the introduction of a fellow alumni. The association meets at regular intervals to host a variety of interesting parties and events. Malaysia is quite a multicultural place, so the cuisine is also quite varied and international. Our members often get together to eat Japanese, Chinese, Malay, or even Italian food; and we always close the party by singing Waseda’s school song. Somehow I feel more moved by the song now than when I was a student. I am extremely grateful to be able to spend time and bond with my fellow alumni who, thanks to the Tomonkai, have become almost like a second family to me.
Joey Yu (Graduated in 2008, Graduate School of Global Information and Telecommunication Studies)

Covered in Waseda Gakuho, February 2015 Issue

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