Search

The Look East Policy (LEP) was implemented in 1982 with two main objectives. First, efforts to improve skills, competencies, knowledge, and apply positive values from Japan and Korea in work ethic. Second, it aims to improve productivity and quality. This paper discusses the impacts of the second wave of LEP, which is assumed to be mutually beneficial between Japan-Malaysia and the first wave, which weighs more on Malaysia. This study has collected primary data using intensive interview techniques and focus groups with a total number of informants of thirteen (13) people who have direct experience with the implementation of LEP. These qualitative data were analyzed using the construction of themes due to frequency and similarity of meaning on cultural and work ethic questions. Policy cycle theory is applied to evaluate the success of LEP's implementation in achieving its objectives. The results show that in addition to work ethic, cultural factors and practices of reasonable values of Japanese society and loyalty to the employer, are common practices that strengthen the quality of work. The study results prove that LEP is less successful in adapting the work culture fully into Malaysians. Nevertheless, LEP has succeeded in making structural changes with various systematic practices in the workplace, such as 5S practices, Quality Control (TQM), time recording systems, and name tags. Meanwhile the Second Wave of DPT shows cooperation efforts as well as 'spill over' Malaysia-Japan relations which has a positive impact on neighboring countries in the Southeast Asian region. This study is able to prove the implementation of LEP in Malaysia until now is still relevant because LEP not only brings benefits to Malaysia, but also Japan and other countries at the regional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]