The concept of JAGAM, the acronym for Japan GraduatesÍ Association of Malaysia was conceived as early as 1970 by a group of 22 Malaysian graduates from Japanese Universities at a meeting in Mirama Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The pro-tem committee was led by the late Mr. Yeo Yan Kim and Mr. Gan Kok Eng as President and Secretary General respectively. Initially, only graduates with a degree were eligible for membership while those who graduated from Tandai (2 year university or college diploma courses) were disqualified from membership in accordance with the strict definition of a ñGraduateî. Another reason was the main objectives of the association to seek government recognition of membersÍ university degrees and to ensure better treatment to Japan graduates by business firms so that the disparity of treatment between Japan graduates and those who graduated from the West would be reduced.

The idea of restricting JAGAMÍs membership to only those with ñGakku-shi or BachelorÍs degreeî was not too well received by many other Japan graduates who preferred a wider definition of the word ñGraduateî, to include those with ñdiplomasî achieved after a period of not less than two years at an institution of higher learning in Japan. Thus the first Executive Committee of JAGAM elected in 1972 registered JAGAM with the Registrar of Society on 9 January 1973 under the Society Act 1966, Rules of Association, 1966. The official name and address of the association then was Persatuan Bekas Mahasiswa Jepun, Malaysia (Japan GraduatesÍ Association of Malaysia), c/o Japan Information Service, No. 1, Jalan Medan Tuanku, Kuala Lumpur.

The late Dr. Ngeow Jin Sin who was President of JAGAM from 1978-1979 together with Michael Lim Hong Chin, Mr. Eric Foo Ah Chai and Mr. Toh Kiat Chuan made a historic visit to Penang on 17 June 1979 for discussion with the President of PAJA (Penang Association of Japan Alumni), Mr. Ooi Seoh Lin and his committee members regarding the dissolution of PAJA to form JAGAM NORTHERN BRANCH. A technical problem prevented the immediate dissolution of PAJA. On 27 April 1980, a pro-tem committee led by Dr. Lau Poh Yok and Dr. Siow Kuang Ling was formed by a small group of Japan graduates in Johor Bahru to establish an association for Japan Alumni in the Southern Region. However, the late Dr. Ngeow and Mr. Michael Lim who represented JAGAM at their inaugural meeting held on 1 June 1980 at the Orchid Hotel, Johor Bahru successfully convinced the delegates to join JAGAM as JAGAM SOUTHERN BRANCH instead. Finally, on 10 January 1982 PAJA was dissolved and the establishment of JAGAM NORTHERN BRANCH brought a united JAGAM for the country.