OFFSTONE JAN EDITION 2026

75 THE JOURNEY OF FAITH, COMMUNICATION, AND INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING IN JAPAN By: Siti Nurulhuda Nordin nurulhuda@usim.edu.my The writer is a lecturer from the Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia with a strong interest in social enterprise, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurship, and strategic management. She is also actively involved in student mobility, youth empowerment, and engagement programmes. ABSTRACT This article reflects on the Global Immersion Study Programme (GISO) Tamashii Journey, highlighting how intercultural communication goes beyond language to encompass values and global citizenship. Through engagement with Japanese universities, community institutions, and everyday social environments, the students discovered that communication extends beyond faith and empathy. Drawing from student experiences, it explores how Islamic principles, digital tools, and cultural sensitivity intersect to shape ethical global communication and meaningful cross-cultural understanding. Introduction We often assume that communication begins with words. We focus on vocabulary, fluency, and the ability to explain ourselves clearly. Yet, when people cross borders and step into unfamiliar cultures, they quickly realise that communication works differently. Meaning is often conveyed through behaviour, silence, timing, and the way people carry themselves in shared spaces.