Sustainable education plays a crucial role in fostering global understanding and cooperation, particularly in language instruction, which facilitates diplomacy, trade, and mutual respect in our interconnected world. Japanese language instruction is widely available in Malaysian schools and tertiary institutions. However, a puzzling phenomenon has emerged: while the number of learners are increasing, the number of Japanese language teachers in the country has steadily declined since 20I2. Unlike Vietnam, Malaysia failed to increase its number of Japanese language teachers to meet growing demand, which contributes to the current significant shortage. The scarcity of qualified teachers not only reflects an unfulfilled potential, but also jeopardizes educational standards and inhibits cultural exchange and economic collaboration. This research emphasizes the pivotal role of Japanese language teachers several aspects: fostering language proficiency, deepening cultural understanding, and facilitating meaningful connections with Japan. Given the teacher shortage, the study also investigates the motivations and career choices of Japanese language teachers in Malaysia to shine light on talent retention, focusing on factors such as their passion for Japanese culture, language proficiency, and career satisfaction. Using a mixed-methodology approach integrating the FIT-Choice scale with semi-structured interviews, the study identifies barriers such as inadequate policies, lack of support, and limited career advancement that hinder the recruitment and retention of Japanese language educators. By addressing these challenges, policymakers will be able to design attractive schemes to promote talent recruitment and retention for Japanese language teachers, which is crucial for promoting broader cultural understanding and enhancing economic partnerships between Malaysia and Japan in the long run.