Diann Loh, a graduate of Economics from the National University of Malaysia (UKM), spent over two decades navigating the corporate world before founding Nihongo Asia Academy & Jobs—a platform dedicated to empowering young Malaysians through education and global career opportunities.

Her career began as an industrial consultant, where she worked closely with Japanese investors setting up factories in Malaysia and MIDA ( Malaysia Investment Development Authority) . This role sparked her interest in Japan’s renowned work culture, particularly its focus on productivity and efficiency, laying the groundwork for her future pursuits.

Diann’s next significant step came in Human Resources at Maruko Sdn. Bhd., a Japanese manufacturing company that served as a subcontractor for Hitachi Electronics Devices. Here, she deepened her appreciation for Japan’s manufacturing excellence and commitment to quality.

However, Diann’s journey didn’t stop in the manufacturing sector. Seeking broader horizons, she transitioned to American International Group (AIG), where she began as a trainee and quickly rose to the position of Training Manager within the General Insurance Division. Her expertise in business development continued to grow during her time at HSBC Bank, where she was headhunted by HSBC Amanah in 2007 to be part of the pioneering team that launched HSBC Amanah Takaful, Malaysia’s first Islamic general insurance division.

During her freelance consulting work, where she helped foreign companies navigate the Malaysian market, Diann was struck by a disheartening statistic during the COVID-19 pandemic: many students from marginalized communities were dropping out of school. This revelation ignited her desire to create a platform that could offer these students a second chance—an opportunity to gain valuable skills and pursue a brighter future.

Drawing on her extensive network, particularly within the Japanese business community, Diann founded Nihongo Asia Academy & Jobs. The academy goes beyond teaching the Japanese language; it serves as a bridge, equipping young Malaysians with the tools they need to thrive in a globalized world. With her unique blend of corporate experience and deep commitment to social impact, Diann is not only fostering a new generation of skilled workers but also contributing to a more diverse and dynamic workforce.

Ang Chooi Kean was the Head of the Japanese Language Unit, International Languages Department at Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia, International Languages Campus, Kuala Lumpur.

She obtained her B.A. (Hons) in Japanese Language and Area Studies at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo, Japan and pursued her M.Ed (Administration and Management) at University of Science Malaysia and M.A. (Japanese Language and Culture) at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo, Japan. She completed her PhD in Adult Education and Professional Development at National University of Malaysia. She is passionate and believes in the importance in inculcating the culture of life-long learning among teachers. She has been involved in in-service teacher training programme of Japanese language teachers and facilitated in its subsequent beyond training support programme since 2005. Among her current interests in fields of studies are e-learning, self-directed learning, active learning, e-portfolio and continuing professional development.

Ken Cheok, graduated from Aomori Chuo Gakuin University , Japan with a major in business management, has more than 8 years working experience in educational consulting, focusing on study opportunities in Japan for SEA countries students, cross-cultural communication, institutional collaboration and educational event management between Malaysia and Japan.

His experience studying and working in Japan has provided him with valuable insights into Japanese culture and business etiquette—knowledge that is especially beneficial for students interested in pursuing further studies or career opportunities in Japan.

As a licensed tour leader and tourist guide, Ken also specializes in educational tourism. He ensures that local institutions receive well-organized, customized study tour itineraries to Japan, while ensuring safe and smooth travel arrangements throughout the trip.

Dr Izhak Ibrahim – Holding a Doctor of Business Administration in  Finance from Universiti Utara Malaysia, alongside an MBA in Finance & Banking from the International Islamic University Malaysia, he also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance) from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA.

Dr Izhak’s professional journey encompasses pivotal roles, including Vice President at Cagamas Berhad, where he spearheaded marketing strategies and strategized product enhancement by tailoring towards customers’ expectations and feedback. With notable tenures at organizations like Bank Muamalat and RHB Bank Berhad, he demonstrated proficiency in corporate banking, project leadership, and distribution channel management. Driven by a commitment to excellence, Dr. Izhak’s expertise in finance, business planning, general management, and marketing strategy, making him a valuable asset in the realms of entrepreneurship.

Kumiko Omura speaks fluent English and possesses excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, Kumiko came to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in 2019, joining an established Japanese HR company as a Recruitment Manager.

She covers all industry sectors from mid-career to management positions. She has a track record of supplying talent to leading international and domestic firms in Japan and Malaysia. Graduated from Kyoritsu Women’s University & Junior College with a degree in Computer Science, she worked in sales/marketing and public relations for an international Scandinavian design company and a major beauty and healthcare company in Tokyo. Kumiko spends her free time working with non-profit organizations in Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Dian Azura, a graphic designer with a 19-year career, started in advertising before pivoting to digital content creation after winning a travel blogging competition (My Selangor Story) in 2010. For three years, she transformed Selangor into her creative playground, using social media initiatives and events to combine digital and on-ground experiences.

Dian then honed her design skills with project management, strategy, and marketing while working with Tourism Selangor, and later pursued a Master’s degree in Digital Media Management before embracing freelancing to leverage her diverse skillset. To balance her work, she also exhibits her artwork under the moniker āruznadi.

Masataka Komai, President of f-five, Inc., brings a wealth of experience to the table.  His  journey began with a solid foundation in electronics, graduating from Sendai Electronics College. He then spent six years honing his programming skills at a company specialising in electronic medical record systems, where he worked on both Windows software development and embedded systems for inspection equipment.

Always curious and adaptable, Masataka later transitioned to freelance work, further expanding his skillset as an internet-related software engineer. He thrived in the dynamic world of e-commerce and community site development.

This diverse background culminated in the founding of f-five, Inc. in 2010. Under his leadership, the company has tackled a wide range of projects, from server-side software development for social games to mobile application development and even venturing into the cutting-edge world of VR content creation. Masataka Komai’s versatility and entrepreneurial spirit position f-five, Inc. for continued success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Presently based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Yusei Saito was attached to f-five Inc. in Sendai, Japan as a software engineer for 4 years before moving here. As a skilled mobile app developer experience in iOS and Android platform, he specializes in designing and developing optimized mobile applications. Highly analytical and detail-oriented, Yusei is capable of creating complex applications that meet clients’ needs for various industries including education.

Mohd  Norhaswira bin Hasan is a Japanese  Language Teacher at  University of Malaya specializing in the Special Japanese Preparatory Programme at the Centre for Foundation Studies in Science. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Nagoya University, his commitment to education extends beyond the classroom.

With a wealth of administrative experience, including roles as Curriculum Committee Member, Safety and Health Committee Member, and Coordinator, Norhaswira has played a pivotal role in various aspects of academic and administrative functions. He has been recognized for his outstanding service with the Certificate of Excellent Service from the University of Malaya in 2016. Additionally, Norhaswira has contributed to research projects, including serving as a consultant for a national research project focusing on syllabus changes and their impact on students and teachers. His dedication to social responsibility is evident through his involvement as Chief of the Internal Auditor for self-auditing activities in 2015. With a diverse portfolio of skills and experiences, Norhaswira continues to inspire and educate students while making significant contributions to academic and administrative endeavours.

Gomathi Selvi Sankarsamy is a HRD Corp Accredited Japanese Language Trainer and JLPT N2-certified Japanese Language Expert with strong bilingual skills in English and Japanese. She has nearly 3 years of experience in language training, interpretation and curriculum design, delivering impactful sessions at ABK-AOTS. With a B.Tech in Bioinformatics and corporate exposure at BASF Malaysia, she blends technical knowledge with effective training strategies. Selvi is skilled in SAP and student assessment, tailoring her teaching to diverse learning needs. Passionate about bridging communication gaps, she empowers learners to thrive in global, multicultural environments.

April Tan is a JLPT N2-certified Japanese speaker with over six ( 6 ) years of corporate experience supporting native Japanese clients and stakeholders at multinational companies such as DHL , Evonik and Canon Machinery. Graduated with Masters in Mechatronic Engineering ( Hons.) from University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus , April Tan has successfully coached Malaysian students Japanese language through private lessons , many of whom have gone on to pass the JLPT N3/N2 exam. Her lessons are structured, results-driven and tailored to help learners build both language proficiency and cultural confidence. 

April’s professional background has strengthened her communication skills and given her a deep understanding of Japanese business culture , etiquette and expectations- all in which she bring into her teaching approach. With a multilingual background and a clear focus on real-world application, she strives to equip every student with the tools they need to communicate effectively and professionally in Japanese.

Hani Sharliza binti Mohd Isa is currently teaching English in Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in Sabak Bernam, Selangor.

She used to teach Elementary Japanese Language to secondary school students. She did Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language certificate at International Language Teacher Training College or Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa (formerly Institut Perguruan Bahasa Antarabangsa, IPBA) in 2007 and started teaching Japanese Language at Sekolah Menengah Sains Dungun in 2008 before moving to Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Sabak Bernam in 2009. Together with Dr. Zorida Mustafa and Fazilah Mat, she wrote the Japanese Language Textbook for lower secondary level in 2017. Hani Sharliza involvement in Nihongo Asia Academy is on voluntary basis.  

Alex Chin possesses JLPT 2 and a Bachelor’s Degree of Information System majoring in Data Analytics from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. Alex Chin who speaks the Japanese language fluently has experience tutoring students for several years and has excellent experience in the Japanese language translation and interpretation.

Alex believes he is here to make learning enjoyable and accessible especially with his background in IT, helping students use technology effectively and meaningfully to support their learning and development. He is passionate about creating immersive learning experiences and integrating technology and cultural elements into language lessons.