Malaysia hosts one of Southeast Asia's largest Japanese expatriate communities, concentrated in Kuala Lumpur (particularly the Mont Kiara and Ampang areas), Penang, and Johor. Japanese companies have operated in Malaysia since the 1980s — AEON, Isetan, Toyota, Panasonic, Sony, and hundreds of SMEs employ Japanese staff in senior roles requiring EP Category I.
Employment Pass Categories
Category
Min. Monthly Salary
Duration
Category I (Professional)
MYR 5,000+
Up to 5 years
Category II (Mid-level)
MYR 3,000–MYR 4,999
Up to 2 years
Category III (Entry-level)
MYR 1,500–MYR 2,999
Up to 1 year
Key Japanese Employers in Malaysia
Retail: AEON Malaysia (largest department store chain), Isetan KLCC, Don Don Donki (Johor/KL)
Resident tax rate: 28% non-resident; 15% flat for Knowledge Worker program; standard progressive resident rate after 182 days
Studying in Malaysia from Japan
Quick Facts
Avg. Tuition
MYR 15,000–45,000/yr
Difficulty
Easy
Language
English medium
2+2 Programs
UK/Australia partner unis
Malaysia offers English-medium university education significantly cheaper than Japan's private universities. The 2+2 twinning model (2 years in Malaysia at local rates + 2 years at partner UK or Australian university) is attractive for Japanese families seeking international education at reduced cost. Taylor's University and Monash University Malaysia are most popular with Japanese students.
Universities and Programs
University
Annual Fees
Notable Program
Monash University Malaysia
MYR 30,000–45,000
Engineering, Business, IT
Taylor's University
MYR 25,000–40,000
Hospitality, Business, Medicine
UTAR
MYR 15,000–25,000
Engineering, Computing
Multimedia University (MMU)
MYR 20,000–30,000
IT, Engineering, Creative Media
Student Pass
Apply through EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services) online
University admission letter required before student pass application
Health check (chest X-ray) required on arrival in Malaysia
Japanese government: JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) offers limited loans for overseas study
Immigrating to Malaysia from Japan
Quick Facts
Long-Stay Program
MM2H
Difficulty
Hard
Fixed Deposit (MM2H)
RM 1,000,000
Offshore Income Req.
RM 40,000/month
Malaysia has been a popular retirement destination for Japanese nationals — historically known for its MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) program, warm climate, English-speaking population, and much lower cost of living than Japan. However, the 2024 MM2H revision dramatically raised requirements, making it accessible only to high-net-worth individuals.
MM2H Program (2024 Requirements)
Fixed deposit: RM 1,000,000 (~USD 215,000) in Malaysian bank
Monthly offshore income: RM 40,000/month from outside Malaysia (Japanese pension alone likely insufficient)
Property: must purchase RM 2,000,000 property in Malaysia within 12 months of approval
5-year renewable visa; does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship
Includes spouse, children under 21, and parents
Old MM2H vs New MM2H
Old program (pre-2021): RM 500,000 fixed deposit for under-50s, RM 350,000 for 50+; very accessible
New program: 4× higher financial requirements effectively excludes middle-income Japanese retirees
Those already on old MM2H can continue on existing terms until renewal
Alternative Routes
Continue on Employment Pass renewals if working
Dependent Pass (spouse/children of EP holders)
Permanent Residence: available but practically very difficult for Japanese nationals without Malaysian family ties
Traveling to Malaysia from Japan
Quick Facts
Visa Required
None (90 days free)
Difficulty
Easy
Flight Time (KL)
~7 hours
Japanese Restaurants
Hundreds in KL alone
Malaysia is one of the most Japanese-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur has hundreds of Japanese restaurants, Japanese grocery stores (Don Don Donki, Isetan food halls), and a substantial Japanese expat community centered around Mont Kiara. Japanese tourists come for beaches (Langkawi, Perhentian Islands), culture, and food.
Entry Requirements
Visa-free entry for 90 days for Japanese passport holders
Passport validity: at least 6 months
Return or onward ticket; accommodation details
No advance application needed — stamp on arrival or eNTRI for some airports
Travel Costs (JPY)
Category
Budget
Mid-range
Flights (Tokyo–KL)
¥20,000–¥50,000
¥50,000–¥120,000
Hotel/night (KL, 3-star)
¥3,000–¥7,000
¥8,000–¥20,000
Meals/day (hawker to restaurant)
¥1,500–¥4,000
¥4,000–¥10,000
Grab ride in KL
¥400–¥1,500
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Top Destinations
Kuala Lumpur — Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, Japanese community in Mont Kiara and Ampang; Japanese restaurants on every block
Penang — George Town UNESCO heritage, Japanese war memorial, Penang Hill; excellent hawker food
Langkawi — duty-free island, beaches, Underwater World, mangrove tours
About this guide — Data researched against official Malaysian government sources. Last reviewed June 2026. LeaveThisCountry provides general information only — not legal or immigration advice. See our disclaimer.