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| 'Penang The Perfect Home' |
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| Determined to find a relaxing second home to spend their retired life outside Japan, Kiyokatsu and Yoko Takai toured various countries to seek the perfect city to live in. |
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| They went for long holidays in places such as Hawaii, Vietnam, New Zealand and Australia. And then they found Penang, their ideal home. |
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| Although they knew little about the island and speak no local languages, the couple have enjoyed their last two years here. |
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| Kiyokatsu, 87, a retired factory general manager and the current president of Taichi Fortune Telling Society in Japan, said it was the climate and high standard of living that attracted him. |
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| “We were here three years ago on a month-long holiday and I fell in love with the warm weather and friendly people,” he said. |
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| A year later, the couple decided to leave their tele-fortune telling business to his son and signed up for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme. |
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| Kiyokatsu said they were able to enjoy a financially carefree life in Penang with their savings and monthly pensions. |
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| “The situation would be very different if we were to stay in Japan because the living cost there is terribly high,” he said. |
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| The couple is currently staying at a rented apartment in Tanjung Tokong but Kiyokatsu said they planned to buy their own place soon. |
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| “At first, it was a challenge to adapt to a new environment at our age, especially when we don't understand any of the local languages,” he laughed. |
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| His wife, Yoko, 64 said they were taking English courses provided by their MM2H agent, Tropical Resort Lifestyle (MM2H) Sdn Bhd, every weekend. |
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| “Together with some body language, we have no problems shopping, travelling and dining outside,” she said. |
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| When it comes to local food, Yoko said nothing could beat hoo moi (fish porridge) and nasi goreng (fried rice). |
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