Meal selection among Japanese immigrants in Malaysia based on year of immigration

Abstract

　The increase in immigration also creates opportunities for the Japanese to experience different cultures. This study examines the response of long-term Japanese residents overseas to different food cultures. The survey was conducted in Malaysia, which is a multi-ethnic nation with various cuisines, targeting the meal selection of Japanese residents. Malaysian food is divided into four cuisines: Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Nyonya. In the first year, Japanese in Malaysia ate Malay cuisine the most frequently, which is unfamiliar to Japanese immigrants; however, this percentage gradually declines from year two. In contrast, the consumption of familiar Malaysian-Chinese cuisine exhibited an inverse trend, which was proven by empirical analysis.