JELI: Mat Yaman Mat Yasin first learned Japanese when he travelled to the Land of the Rising Sun 37 years ago but stopped speaking it upon returning to Malaysia—until three years ago.
After crossing paths with a Japanese teacher serving at Sekolah Menengah Sains Jeli, Mat Yaman decided to pick up the language again.
"The teacher, Akisa, was so happy to have a friend she could speak to in Japanese," said Mat Yaman, the Imam Muda of the Berdang Mosque in Kampung Layat.
The 63-year-old said he learned Japanese after he was chosen to participate in a farming course in Kagawa, Japan, in 1987.
"I slowly achieved fluency because the course required me to engage with other participants who spoke Japanese," said the father of five.
After he met Akisa, he began speaking the language again.
"Even though she has returned to Japan, I still use Japanese to help mosque congregants or villagers translate (phrases).
"Some have asked me to give religious talks in Japanese on TikTok," said Mat Yaman who is also fluent in Arabic and English.
He said there were many benefits to learning new languages, including being able to connect with people from other countries.
Mat Yaman said his children learn Arabic, which he emphasises on because it is used in the Holy Quran.