Reports show that the Japanese language achievement among Malay students at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) is less impressive. This problem is due to the less attention given to the psychological factors, purpose, background, and the need to learn the Japanese language. Thus, this study aims to identify the relationship between motivation and students’ achievement based on the approach of The L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) and appropriate learning materials based on the analysis of learning needs. This quantitative study involved 73 samples of level 1 Japanese language students. The results of the survey found that the students were influenced by curriculum factors, teachers, peers, and teaching materials. The students also have a high imagination towards the native speakers. Besides, based on the analysis of learning needs, it was found that the theme of communication that focuses on conversations with native speakers and travel activities is the dominant factor chosen by the students. Based on this feedback, a proposed syllabus has been introduced to meet the needs of students learning the Japanese language at UTHM.