Sakamoto and Yoko Yasuhiko
During a recent staff meeting, Andy Davison mentioned how impressed he is by a lovely Japanese couple, sakamoto Yasuhiko (Hiko) and his wife, Yoko who live here under the malaysia my second Home programme. He is very impressed by their winsome energy, and passion for assisting other people who might be interested in the mm2H programme. not surprisingly their primary focus is on the Japanese. We therefore thought they were a superb choice for our interview series. We spoke with Hiko about living in malaysia, under the malaysia my 2nd Home Programme, and discussed some of his endeavours spreading the word.
The Expat: How did you first hear about MM2H? What made you take notice?
HIKO: my wife, Yoko, and i, made a trip to australia in January 2000 to visit our friend there and, on our way back to Japan, we made a short stop over in KL, my most favourite place, where i lived for 6 years from 1962 to 1968, working as a representative of sumitomo corporation of Japan. somebody in a bank we visited, just happened to mention about the silver Hair Plan, the previous name of mm2H, and this triggered my hasty research. One month later, we moved to KL, each with one large suitcase and a roll-on travel case.
The Expat: Could you briefly tell me the background of your involvement as a program advocate to others, here and in Japan?
HIKO: after a few years very happy stay in KL, we started talking about it to our friends and visitors from Japan. We were so proud of this nice city and pleased about our decision to move here. in 2004, through a strong initiative by mr.Y.Yokoi, minister and 2nd ambassador of Japan, a committee was established in the Japan club of KL to promote mm2H, and we both were invited to become members. i have taken the leadership in the committee as Vice chairman and actively worked toward three targets;
1) PUBLICITY
i have appeared in 7 Japanese tV programmes, spoken on a radio programme, been mentioned in three books and eight magazines. We have also written a book, "gohoubi-Jinsei malaysia (Life in malaysia as a reward)" which is now sold in Japan and regarded as a bible for people considering living overseas. my website, mostly dedicated to mm2H promotion, is a favourite site with some 300-400 visitors every day.
2) Advice and assistance to Ministry of Tourism (MOTOUR)
i have given a speech about mm2H at the annual conference of the malaysia-Japan economic collaboration in the mOtOUr presentation. i made a complete Japanese translation of the ministry's website about mm2H which can be viewed by clicking the [Japanese] button. i also distributed their newsletters to some 2,400 municipal, town and village government offices in Japan.
3) Improving Malaysian Environment for Japanese Seniors
We established the "OtasUKemancLUB (rescueman club)", a private club of now 30 volunteers, mostly mm2H people, to help each other, and particularly newcomers to malaysia, in daily and miscellaneous problems they encounter before and after their arrival. We started a class in the Japan club mainly for Japanese ladies living here with their malaysian husbands and families on care-giving for elderly People. the purpose is to train them to become part-time caregivers, to learn how to nurse elders in the family, and for a person like me to learn to become a good and less troublesome patient.
The Expat: What do you and your wife enjoy most about living in malaysia, particularly given your mm2H status and benefits.
HIKO: We enjoy everything we do here, sports, cultural activities especially connected to singing and dancing, volunteer works for mm2H promotion, eating, drinking......... Our mm2H status has made many things possible. it enables us to make long term plans and preparations, like purchase and renovation of a house, purchase of cars and other durable goods and equipment, spending time studying subjects which takes years to complete. all this has been possible with our long term visa and the stability we feel.
The Expat: What would you like others contemplating joining the program to know if they are reading this, in their native country?
HIKO: everyone's second life (retirement) is a very important period in their life as it is the completion of their journey and it comes to you only once. the end crowns everything you have done. it is up to you, to change your second life the way you like. in 20 years of retirement you can enjoy as much free time as if you worked for 200 years. You can choose to study any subject which fascinates you. You can challenge new and exciting targets. Of course you need money to finance your challenge. the Japanese pension system does not give enough money for the challenge. that comes from the three-to-one price difference in the cost of living in malaysia compared to tokyo. free time and money, however, are not enough. the opportunities should be available. for us this comes form the Japan club of KL which is the most active and versatile Japan club in the world with 55 clubs of cultural, sports, learning and social activities.
The Expat: How do you intend to spend the next ten years?
HIKO: the same as now, doing whatever things make us happy and satisfied. making other people happy by advocating mm2H which gives me the largest happiness, in addition to singing, writing, golfing..., not forgetting, of course, loving Yoko.
The Expat: Thanks very much for your time and we wish you and Yoko the best.
if you are interested in learning more about Hiko's involvement in the mm2H, you can check out the following Websites:
+ http://www.geocities.jp/ hikosakamotojp/index.html
+ http://secondlife.yahoo.co.jp/ supporter/profile/0095.html
+ http://blog.e-rakuda.jp/longstay/ malaysia/kl/index.html
Book: Malaysian Life as a Reward
