Consul-General Attends 2026 Penang Miaohui Lighting Ceremony

On January 17, Mr. Shinya Machida, Consul-General of Japan in Penang, attended the lighting ceremony for the “2026 Penang Miaohui” held at Choo Chay Keong Temple in Penang City, alongside representatives from the Malaysian-Japan Society (MJS). The Year of the Horse mascot was also unveiled. The Penang Miaohui is a large-scale Chinese cultural festival held during the Chinese New Year period in the old town of George Town, starting in 1999. It is an annual participatory event connecting outdoor ancestral temples, food stalls, and stages. Reflecting Penang's multicultural character, the official opening on February 21st will also feature an introduction to Japanese culture. As MJS members will participate, the Consulate-General also plans to attend. I hope this will highlight the presence of Japanese culture as an integral part of Penang society.