TUJ Concludes Agreement
on Expanded 2009 Minato
Citizens’ University Program
TUJ finalized an agreement in Februarywith Minato City subsidiary Kissport on
future installments of the English-language
Minato Citizens’ University series. The 2009
program has been expanded to six experts
and six sessions, and is set to run from May
19 to June 4 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The
topics will range from Japan’s international
relations to the country’s legal system andJapan-China-India economic cooperation to
new explorations that include soft-power
politics in Japanese youth culture andJapanese art in the United States.
Part of TUJ’s 2006 cooperative
agreement with Minato, the Minato Citizens’
University series features presentations by
TUJ professors and is meant to show thecommunity what Tokyo’s universities areteaching. The first program in 2007 examinedJapanese domestic and international politics
as well as the country’s economy and society.
In 2008, three experts gave nearly 200
attendees insights into recent challenges inJapanese business and Japan’s international
relations and legal system.
Kissport hosts these programs twice ayear in spring and autumn, and has alreadysealed similar pacts with other Tokyo
universities in Minato City, including Keio
University, Meiji Gakuin University, Toyo Eiwa
University, and the Shibaura Institute ofTechnology.

entering TUJ in summer 2009. This extra
aid—a response to the current uncertain
economic times—expands the financial
assistance previously available to Japanese
students. This group currently accounts forhalf of all of TUJ’s undergrad population andabout 90 percent of Academic English
Program (AEP) students. TUJ already provides
about 45 million yen in scholarships annually
to incoming degree-seeking students
regardless of nationality.
“This special scholarship is in recognitionof our mission of maintaining a student bodythat is both international and representativeof Japan,” Dean Stronach commented. “It isalso an acknowledgment that the global
economic crisis is having a strong impact on
all of us, and that TUJ has a commitment togive our students as much support as
possible. I am sure the special scholarship forsummer 2009 will help us attain both goals.”
The special financial aid is available toprospective undergraduate and AEP students
who are applying or plan to apply for the2009 summer semester, and to students
already admitted who failed to meet thedeadline for existing scholarships. Japanesecitizenship is an essential requirement for
application. Applicants are eligible forawards ranging from 75,000 yen up to125,000 yen, which can be used to pay
tuition and other fees. TUJ will establish thiskind of special scholarship as necessary intune with economic trends.

TUJ’s New Feline of Fortune

Professor Wilson describes the Japanese lay judge system
during the 2008 Minato Citizens’ University series

TUJ Establishes Special
Scholarship for Summer
2009
Dean Stronach has announced thecreation of a special scholarship totaling 2.5
million yen meant for Japanese students

Meet the newest addition to our lineup
of TUJ-branded goods: a 5-centimeter-tallmanekineko (beckoning cat). Sitting with
one paw upraised—ready to make thecustomary Japanese gesture used to callsomeone over—these felines are thought toattract fortune and business success as well.
There’s a bonus, too, in the form of an
omikuji (paper fortune) inside the cat. TUJ’s
manekineko are now on sale for 850 yen.
You can find them at the Information Center(first floor of Azabu Hall), which is open from
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mondaythrough Friday
and 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. onSaturdays.

DONOR LIST 2008–2009
Institutional Donors
TUJ Patron (¥5,000,000 and above)
Nikko Citi Holdings Inc.
United States-Japan Foundation

Vol. 12
Summer2009

Gold Owl Supporters (¥100,000 – ¥499,999)
The Fabric Group
Michelle Corporation
Silver Owl Supporters (¥50,000 – ¥99,999)
IACE TRAVEL Co., Ltd.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Individual Donors
Supporting Sponsor (¥2,500,000 – ¥4,999,999)
Sun-kyu Jeon
Diamond Donor (¥1,000,000 – ¥2,499,999)
Koji Shimada
Yasutoyo Murakami
Gold Owl Supporters (¥100,000 – ¥499,999)
Anderson, Ronald J. (B.O.G)
Boduszynski, Mieczyslaw (Faculty/Staff)
Clyde, Robert (B.O.G.)
Fukushima, Sakie (B.O.G)
Hosoda, Shuusaku (Student’s Parent)
Kakazu, Hiroshi (Faculty/Staff)
Nagata, Akira (Student’s Parent)
Newell, Anthony (Student)
Stronach, Bruce (Dean)
Yasutomo, Dennis (B.O.G.)
Silver Owl Supporters (¥50,000 – ¥99,999)
Boardman, Thomas (Faculty/Staff)
Dorman, Bill (TUJ Friend)
Hayashi, Yoko (Student’s parent)
Higuchi, Koichi (Student’s parent)
Jordan, Thomas (B.O.G)
Kamikubo, Eiji (Student’s parent)
Sakai, Masashi (Student’s parent)
Tanabe, Yoshinori (Student’s parent)
Taruta, Hitoshi (Student’s parent)
Yabui, Ayane (Student’s parent)
Anonymous: 7 donors
Bronze Owl Supporters (¥10,000 – ¥49,999)
Hill Anton, Karen (B.O.G.)
Maruno, Koichi (M.Ed. ’05)
Muehleisen, Victoria (M.A. ’90)
Prados, Pablo (MBA, ’02)
Tanchajja, Supoj (Student’s parent)
Yagi, Yoshinobu (B.A. ’97, M.A. ’01)
Yamagata, Mihoko (M.Ed. ’97)
Yoshida, Hiroaki (B.A. ’93)
Faculty & Staff Payroll Contribution
Baca, David
Helt, Holly
Ilsemann, Alexandra
Kakazu, Hiroshi
Kato, Chie
Leeds, Eva Marikova
Leeds, Michael
Lerch, HubertMatsuoka, Michiyo
Matsuyama, Miwa
Mehta, Geeta
Nishida, Wataru
Pike, Kathleen
Rosenkjar, Patrick
Shoju, Miyuki
Wilson, Matthew
Yates, JP
Anonymous: 11 participants

The above were correct as of April 2009
Note: “BOG” stands for Board of Governors

Dean Stronach First
Foreigner Named to Osaka
University’s External
Advisory Board on
Internationalization
Osaka University’s International Affairs

students—should be under faculty control orwith fantastic interior design, drinks andoutside control.

food. A good atmosphere became a great“It is a great honor to be asked to join

one as numerous "Temple Owls"

this advisory board,” Dean Stronach said of

courageously faced the evening chill to

his appointment. “Naturally a major national

attend, including new alumni and a main

university like Handai (Osaka University)

campus alum.

would move vigorously to become more

TUJAA members clearly like having

Board (IAB) recently

events at different locations. “We get to try

named TUJ Dean Bruce

new places that we may not go to by

Stronach to the school’s

ourselves or even with friends,” oneExternal Advisory Board

participant said, “but since the TUJAA ison Internationalization.

coordinating things we’re not afraid to

He is the first non-come.”
We’re planning more fun for the future.

Japanese invited since theboard began including

From now on, by the way, we’ll be sending

external members in

our event invitations in both English and2004. Dean Stronach

Japanese.
The TUJAA is still a young organization,

visited Osaka University
on February 5 to be

and we’re looking to you to help up grow!

officially installed on the

Our ultimate goal is to create a powerful,board and to deliver aself-sufficient network that boosts the value

presentation entitledof your diploma and the presence of TUJ“Practical English,

grads in the marketplace. TUJ grads entering
professional fields are competing with Ivy

Impractical English andthe Competitiveness ofDean Stronach describes key aspects of practical English to Osaka University faculty, staff
and students

League grads and others; fortunately, TUJ’s
long-established presence and recognition by

Japanese Universities.”
His presentation drew about ninety people,

international by adding classes in English

Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture,over three-quarters of them students frominside the university, recruiting more foreign

Sports, Science and Technology gives us an

the university.

students, creating more educational andadvantage. This network should be your firstresearch opportunities for their students

resort, whether you’re looking for a job, aabroad, and establishing satellite operations

vendor, or seed money for a new venture.

in places like San Francisco. I’ll do all I can to

How can you get involved? Give US asupport their internationalization efforts.”

hoot and participate in TUJAA events! Tune

Established in 1931 as Japan’s sixth

in to what’s happening by going to yourimperial university, Osaka University is one ofAlumni website, http://www.tuj-aa.org/.

the country’s most prestigious educational
institutions. The IAB oversees international
affairs for Osaka University and promotes
An audience member poses a question to Dean Stronach
during the Q & A session

The Q and A session that followed waslively. Many questions dealt with theinternational academic exchange.

Alumni Association Party
Kicks Off Year of the Ox

structure of English-language courses inJapanese universities and how they are

Editors: Tomoko Furusawa, Doug Jackson

The Temple University Japan Alumni

administered, such as whether “practical

Association (TUJAA) kicked off the Year ofEnglish” courses—i.e., those intended to

the Ox with its first official event at Bar 57

simply increase the English ability of

on February 28. Bar 57 is a wonderful venue,

Two alumni enjoying the atmosphere and refreshments at
Bar 57

A TUJ-Style TGIF—The Friday
Afterhours ClubThe Friday Afterhours Club (FAC) is a

New AEP Director Has Big
Plans for the Program
Dr. Emiko Mizunuma, recently named theDean Stronach Describes
What Being a Responsible
Member of International
Society Meanssociable group of TUJ alumni, faculty anddirector of TUJ’s Academic English Program

staff whose slogan is, “Let’s get down to real

(AEP), brings a wealth of parallel experiencebusiness after work at FAC!” Since January

and enthusiasm to the position. Prior to

takes to be a member of international society

this year they’ve been gathering at The

joining TUJ as an instructor in summer 2008,

to an audience of about 220 students inNakameguro Taproom every Friday night,

she established the University of North

grades 7 to 9 at Tokyo Gakugei University

giving the Taproom and the evening a distinct

Carolina at Pembroke’s first ESL program, theInternational Secondary Education School on

Temple vibe.

English Language Institute (ELI), and directedFebruary 12. Dean Stronach’s main point was

it for two years.

that international society is like any other“The ELI functioned as a bridge program

Dean Bruce Stronach spoke about what it

society, and that being a valued part of it

to help degree-seeking students with themeant taking personal responsibility andadmissions process,” she says. “It was also adeveloping both empathy and morality.

cultural exchange center at the community

The Q&A session that followed was lively.

level, and served as an education consultant

The most intriguing question, Dean Stronach

on English as a foreign language in several

noted, was in response to his assertion that

foreign countries.”

you have to be responsible to yourself before

Emi’s academic credentials include an

you can become responsible to others.

Undergraduate Program

College of Education

Nicholas A. Perkins (B.A. ’07) hit the Tokyo job
market after earning an economics degree. TUJ’s
knowledge base andnetwork enabled him towork as a freelance
journalist and join a
local consulting firm.
Hearing about an
opening at theConsulate-General ofJapan in his hometownof Portland, Oregon, heapplied and passed therigorous interview
process in April 2008. As an assistant to the Consul
General, Nicholas is learning the ins and outs ofpublic diplomacy: developing and writing
speeches, attending social functions, and dealing
with the public through cultural outreachprograms. He gives TUJ major credit for advancing
his career. nicholas@cgjpdx.org

Masaya Kaneko (M.Ed. ’05) got married during
his second year at TUJ, and during the ceremony
announced his intention to become “the bestteacher, boxer and father.” He was training to be a
pro boxer while teaching English at a private
school, but his dream was derailed when his
second son died soon after birth in December 2005
due to medical
malpractice.
Determined tofulfill that dreamand make his sonin heaven proud,he has beenpushing himself
in his training
and teaching,
and believes
2009 will be hisbest year in the ring, at school, and in court.
m-k-s-k-r-t@y7.dion.ne.jp

Harumi Goto (B.A. ’97) lives in New York City
after fulfilling her long-held dream of pursuing ahigher degree in the States. New York University
admitted Harumi in 2004, and in May 2006 shereceived her master’s degree in counseling andguidance. She’ll neverforget marching into
Washington Square Parkfor commencement.
Harumi now works as arecruiter for a job agency
in New York called Quick
USA, Inc. Her next goal is
to become an HR
professional, guiding
people’s personal andprofessional development. Her message: Onceyou’ve got a dream or goal in mind, never giveup—just go for it! hg500@nyu.edu

Atsuko Marie Jeffreys (Ushimaru) (Ed.D. 91), a
graduate of TUJ’s first Ed.D. program cohort inTokyo, currently lives in the suburbs of St. Louis,
Missouri, with her son and American husband, achemist whom she married last year. A full-time
homemaker and stay-at-home mom, Atsuko
eventually hopes to get back into teaching andwriting, which she
pursued as aprofessor of TESOL
and applied
linguistics at Obirin
University in Tokyoand as an editor ofvarious high school
English textbooks,
respectively. She also plans to go back to college
to study for the Christian ministry.
eternatie950@yahoo.com

MBA
A twenty-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, JeanPierre (JP) Bolat (MBA ’08) joined Oracle
Corporation in September 2007
and earned his MBA from TUJ thefollowing June. While promoting
Oracle’s enterprise solutions forgovernment and defense to thegovernment of Japan, he has
spearheaded the development ofover $50 million in future software licensing deals.
Under JP’s leadership, TUJ’s MBA Alumni
Association has developed into a robust
organization that focuses on networking, linking
Fox Business School grads, and gathering funds tosponsor an MBA scholarship. Besides co-chairing
the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s
Aerospace and Defense Committee and interactingwith the U.S. Embassy and Japan’s Diet andDefense Ministry, JP is also a vice chair of the
ACCJ’s Healthcare IT Subcommittee.
jean-pierre.bolat@oracle.com, jpbolat@1987.usna.com

M.A. in TESOL and a Ph.D. in multilingualstudies from New York University. Although
she retains an intense interest in her Ph.D.
dissertation topic of “cross-cultural
pragmatics,” Emi’s career path has made her a
specialist in design curricula for ESL and EFL
programs. She has crafted both, as well as
instructor education programs for ESL and EFL
teachers in the U.S., Japan and Mexico.
“I'm very excited to have been selected
as the AEP’s director, and I believe theprogram has great potential,” Emi states.
“The Temple University brand demands an
AEP of exemplary standard. Although it’s inremarkably good shape, after 25 years eventhe best programs need reevaluation and

A Gakugeidai student asks Dean Stronach a question about
being international

updating. I hope to see us leading English
The idea behind the FAC was simple:

education in Japan in various and innovative
ways, as well as addressing the English

just being selfish, and wondered what theenvironment where everybody is welcome.

education and proficiency needs of otherbalance was between being responsible to

And as TUJ grad Utsav Bajgain notes, “This is

Asian countries.”

yourself and giving up your needs for thea great way keep in touch with the TUJ

needs of others,” he said. “This reflects a

community.” With networking a priority on

basic difference between Japanese andjust about everyone’s list, it’s also one of yourWestern perspectives. Japanese tend to judge

best bets to stay up on employment trends

themselves and their behavior relative to theand swap information and business leads.

groups they belong to, whereas Westerners
have a more internalized code of morality

venue for the group thanks to both its tasty

and responsibility.”brews and atmosphere, the FAC flock will be

Ms. Ueno, the teacher in charge at

migrating soon. Following a short hiatus in

Gakugei, expressed her gratitude to the dean.

May, the club will switch to Rigoletto Bar and“Dean Stronach’s speech will cause theGrill. Located on the fifth floor of the West

students to reflect on what it means to be an

Walk in Roppongi Hills, Rigoletto offersinternationally minded person,” she stated.

homemade tapas and an intriguing mix ofTokyo Gakugei University International

wines, beers and other potables.

Secondary Education School opened in April

FAC’s timing will change as well, to the2007, combining the student bodies of Tokyo

FIRST FRIDAY of the month. The initial outing

Gakugei University Oizumi Junior High School

after the break is set for June 5, just in time
to kick off the graduation weekend.

and Tokyo Gakugei University Senior HighDr. Mizunuma brings international experience to the
Academic English Program

Kana Suzuki Honda (LL.M. ’08) concentrated onher law school studies and paralegal work during
the two years it took to earn her Temple Law
School degree. After graduation, her focus turned
to more domestic matters: she got married, andcurrently enjoys cooking for her husband andbeing a mom-to-be. Kana’s friends from
Temple—including one she shared a room withduring the study-abroad
program—recently
became proud parents.
She looks forward to
sharing the excitement ofchild raising with them as
she once shared theexcitement of learning.
ks0717@hotmail.com“The questioner asked whether that was

create a regular get-together in a fun, casual

Although the Taproom has been a great

Law School

School’s Oizumi campus.

BOOK REVIEW

Hard-Won Insights on Life and Success from Dr. Koji Shimada

Koji Shimada, a former teacher born in Tokyo
1939, made his way to the U.S. when he wastwenty-nine years old after receiving an unusual
offer of support from a U.S. Naval officer.
After seven years of hard work, he obtained adoctorate in education from Temple University in
1975. Instead of pursuing a career in academia,
Shimada dove into a world he knew nothing
about—American business—and eventually achieved great success.
In his newly published autobiography, Seiko no shuyaku wa
wakiyaku datta（成功の主役は脇役だった）My American Dream(Waseda Publishing, 2008), he explains how “a slightly above
average” person could embody this American Dream.
Shimada attributes his success to what he calls “the role ofsupporting actors,” maintaining that habits and attitudes are more
important than intelligence or talent. He says that being punctual,
never skipping breakfasts, staying fit, and always responding to email, letters and phone calls are all keys to achieving your fullpotential. Using abundant episodes from his business and personal

life, he also talks about cultural differences between Japan and the
U.S. and how he overcame obstacles arising from them.
Shimada’s positive energy is evident throughout the book. He
transforms even the most discouraging experiences—including
nearly being killed in a surgical mishap and the suicide of afriend—into valuable lessons. He offers encouraging messages not
only for ambitious young Japanese who are his intended readers,
but also for young-at-heart people seeking an enjoyable andfulfilling life after retirement. It is invigorating to know thatsomeone could look so young and happy at the age of seventy. His
book presents tips for success in your personal life as well as inbusiness.
Currently the president of KLT Management, Dr. Koji Shimada
is also on TUJ’s board of governors and established the Shimada
Scholarship at TUJ. He received The Distinguished Service Award
from TU in 2006.
Reviewed by Ms. Natsuko Kambayashi, Administrative
Assistant for the Dean for External Relations, TUJ