Initial Issue 2014.2.1
中欧研究所〒 102-0094 東京都千代田区紀尾井町 3-26

中欧研究所

Josai Institute for Central European Studies
3-26 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan

Josai Institute forCentral European Studies

http://www.josai.jp/jicpas/jices/index.html
e-mail: jices@jiu.ac.jp

Initial Issue（2014.2.1）

Josai Announces Foundation of the Josai Institute forCentral European Studies
Josai University Educational Corporation established Josai Institute for Central European Studies located at Tokyo KioichoCampus as one of our academic centers, which promotes Central European Studies as an institution of higher education andresearch, strives to advance academic exchanges and joint research studies between Central Europe and Japan, and develops global
human resources which broadly support the international relationship between Central European Countries and Japan.

Message from the Director

Kioicho Campus 3rd building on February 5. We would like to request
your continued support as we begin this new endeavor.

Noriko Mizuta (Chancellor of Josai
University Educational Corporation/
Director of Josai Institute for Central
European Studies)
Josai University Educational Corporation
has done so while cultivating international
exchanges with a variety of universities
around the world. This has been done by strengthening international
exchange activities that contribute to the development of global humanresources. Especially with universities in Central European countries,
Josai University Educational Corporation has built a strong record ofeducational and cultural exchanges across Central Europe through active

The establishment of the Josai Institutefor Central European Studies in the Josai
University Educational Corporation truly holds great significance, and I
would like to express my best wishes. I think its significance is especiallyinvolvement in student exchanges and human resources development.
We have been exploring new ways to further advance academic
exchanges with Central Europe and develop global human resources
with internationalism and expertise. To commemorate the visit ofH.E. Mr. Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, to Josai on
November 21, 2013, we decided to found the Josai Institute forCentral European Studies. Upon the Prime Minister of Hungary, H.E.
Mr. Viktor Orbán’s visit, he pledged that two scholars from Hungary
will be assigned to the Josai Institute for Central European Studies
and made a generous donation of many volumes related to Hungarianculture and other subjects to the institute.
For the founding of the institute, we have received support from eachembassy of the four Visegrád Group countries. Thus we have obtained
permission, from these countries’ ambassadors to Japan, to bestow
the position of honorary director to the institute. With the supportof ambassadors, affiliated schools and affiliated institutions from eachcountry in Central Europe, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ofJapan, we hope to expand the active programs offered by our institute.
The Josai Institute for Central European Studies will begin its active
involvement in the field by hosting the Visegrad plus Japan Security
Seminar on the 1st building of the Tokyo Kioicho Campus on
February 4, 2014 and the V4+Japan Student Conference on the Tokyo

notable due to the fact that it was none other than Josai University andJosai International University that has continued promoting student
exchanges, cultural exchanges, and academic exchanges, etc. with
Central European countries for a long time as well as the fact that there
has not been a research organization specializing in Central Europe inJapan until now.
Since 1990, connections between Japan and Central European
countries, including the Visegrád Group (Poland, the Czech Republic,
Slovakia, and the Republic of Hungary), have deeply rooted in eachfield of politics, economy, and culture, etc. and have already developed
into mature relationships. The establishment of the Josai Institute forCentral European Studies was announced upon the Japan visit byPresident of the Republic of Hungary last year. Especially due to thefact that this year is a memorable year as the “V4 + Japan ExchangeYear”, the fact that the institute will be opened in Tokyo in 2014 is not
only appropriate for the time but timely.
Upon being appointed as the first honorary director, I hope that thisJosai Institute for Central European Studies will ultimately grow into
an exchange center for Japan and Europe originating in Tokyo as well
as a high profile organization with academic contents of high standards
not only in Japan but on a global scale. I intend to make my best efforts
to achieve these goals.

Message from the Honorary Director
István Szerdahelyi (Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaryof the Embassy of Hungary in Japan/
Honorary Director of Josai Institute forCentral European Studies)1

Initial Issue 2014.2.1
About the Josai Institute for Central European Studies

H.E. Mr. Sólyom László in December 2009 (then President of the Republic<Purpose of the Josai Institute for Central European Studies>
The institute is to be located at Tokyo Kioicho Campus and will be theof Hungary). The then president’s visit made a positive contribution to theacademic center of Josai University Educational Corporation. Together with

The significance of Josai’s past contributions to education, studies, andJosai University and Josai International University, it will function as a wholehuman resource development, for both Hungary and Japan, have been

to advance international education and alliances with the other nations.
It will remain primarily focused on the countries within the VesegrádGroup (V4)—which includes Hungary (with whom Josai commenced
its first academic exchange in 2007), the Czech Republic, Poland, andSlovakia—in addition to other surrounding countries in Central Europe.
As an institution of higher education and research, we will be dedicated topromoting Central European Studies. By doing so the institute will strive
to advance academic exchanges and joint research studies between Central
Europe and Japan, and to develop human resources which broadly support
the international relationship between both countries.

recognized. In May 2011 the Chancellor (Dr. Mizuta) was presented with
the Pro Cultura Hungarica (Order of Cultural Merit) by the Republic of
Hungary. She was also awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order ofMerit of Hungary in November 2013 by H.E. Mr. Viktor Orbán.
Josai has proactively held seminars, symposiums, and lectures related
to Central Europe. These include speeches given at Josai by Anna
Komorowska, First Lady of Poland in April 2012 and by Vladimír
Tomšík, Vice-Governor of the Czech National Bank, in October 2012.
Furthermore, in February 2013, the “Visegrad and Japan, together for
Eastern Partnership Seminar” was held at Josai’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
The seminar was co-hosted with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan,
and its performance was credited in the joint statement which followed
the official summit of V4 Prime Ministers in June 2013. In November
2013, H.E. Mr. Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, visited Josai.
During this visit a ceremony was held to confer the Prime Minister withan honorary doctoral degree from Josai. The Prime Minister performeda special lecture for us. It was at this time that the founding of the Josai

development of human resources for both Hungary and Japan.

<Specific Activities>
The primary activities of the institute are as follows:
1. Planning and implementing measures in line with our targets
2. Specifically promoting exchange programs and joint researchstudies with affiliated universities in the same region
3. Collaborating with relevant institutions and embassies from each country
4. Collaborating with groups and organizations which are interested
in the same region, obtaining funding for research studies
5. Hosting seminars, symposiums and lectures
6. Issuing newsletters
7. Issuing academic journals

Institute for Central European Studies was also announced.

Members List
Director

Noriko Mizuta (Chancellor of Josai University Educational Corporation)
H.E. Ms. Kateřina Fialková(Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Czech Republic to Japan)

Honorary Director<Founding of the Institute and its Exchanges with Central Europe>

H.E. Mr. István Szerdahelyi(Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Hungary to Japan)
H.E. Mr. Cyryl Kozaczewski(Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Poland to Japan)
H.E. Mr. Michal Kottman(Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Slovakia to Japan)

Josai has proactively conducted educational and cultural exchanges withcountries in Central Europe over the years. It also maintains various
International Academic Exchange Agreements, including those with
Eötvös Loránd University and eight other universities in Hungary, theUniversity of Warsaw and three other universities in Poland, Charles
University in Prague and two other universities in the Czech Republic, as
well as the University of Presov in Presov in Slovakia. Josai has a proactive
attitude towards language education. Over the course of the first and second
semesters a total of more than 1,000 Japanese students study Hungarian,Czech and Polish at Josai each year. We also established the Noriko Mizuta
Hungary, Poland and Czech Scholarships, which commemorate the visit ofVice Director
Honorary Fellow

Nobuhiro Shiba (Visiting Professor of Josai International University)
Mr. Zoltán Sűdy(Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Hungary to Japan)
Ms. Jadwiga Rodowicz-Czechowska(Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Poland to Japan)
Akihisa Inoue (Professor of Josai International University)
Toshio Oshima (Professor of Josai University)
Seiichiro Nanai (Professor of Josai International University)

Fellow

Toshinobu Seki (Professor of Josai University)
Tadaki Iio (Associate Professor of Josai Univeristy)
Andrew Horvat (Professor of Josai International University)
Attilá Kiraly (Assistant Professor of Josai International University)

Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán Visits Josai
D a t e: November 21, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On November 21, 2013, His Excellency Viktor Orbán, Prime
Minister of Hungary, visited Tokyo Kioicho Campus, received anhonorary doctoral degree and also gave a special lecture.
As part of Josai’s Mid-term Target of strengthening international
exchange to cultivate global human resources, our university has formed
academic exchange agreements with a number of institutions worldwide,
particularly in the Central European country of Hungary. Josai’s firstacademic exchange agreement with a Hungarian institution was formed
in 2007 with the Budapest Business School and has since expanded tonine universities total, including Eötvös Loránd University. In 2013,
Josai University and Josai International University sent over 150
students to study abroad in Hungary and hosted nearly 100 Hungarianexchange students in return. In addition, since 2008, a total of 3,000
students have studied the Hungarian language at JU or JIU.
Josai’s partnership with Hungarian universities in academic exchange
has been highly regarded in Hungary, a fact that was confirmed with
Prime Minister Orbán’s official visit. During his incredibly busy visit
to Japan, which included interviews with the Imperial household andPrime Minister Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Orbán singled-out Josai as
the only university he visited. Prime Minister Orbán’s visit also marks
the second time a Hungarian government leader has visited Josai,
following then President László Sólyom’s visit in December 2009.
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, JU President Yasunori Morimoto, andJIU President Hakuo Yanagisawa greeted Prime Minister Orbán’s
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Initial Issue 2014.2.1

Prime Minister Orbán and Chancellor Mizuta shake hands

Prime Minister Orbán receives his honorary doctoral degree

delegation of 37, which included Zoltán Balog (Minister for Human
Resources), Mihály Varga (Minister for National Economy), Péter
Szijjártó (State Secretary for Foreign Affairs & International Trade),
Hungarian Ambassador to Japan Istvan Szerdahelyi, and Japanese
Ambassador to Hungary Tadamichi Yamamoto.
During Josai’s meeting with the delegation, Chancellor Mizuta said,“It’s a great honor to welcome Prime Minister Orbán to Josai. We
vow to continue to work hard to advance academic exchange between
Josai and Hungarian universities and develop human resources whowill serve as a liaison between our two nations.” Prime Minister Orbánthen added, “In this rapidly changing world, the cultivation of theyoung generation is all the more vital for the development of Hungary.
My hope is that our program of academic exchange with Josai will
strengthen the bond between our two nations even further.”
Following the meeting, a ceremony was held in the basement auditorium
to confer Prime Minster Orbán with his honorary doctoral degree.
The award was given to acknowledge Prime Minister Orbán’s activities
and accomplishments over the years that have led to the prosperity
that Hungary enjoys today. Prime Minister Orbán was born in 1963and graduated from Eötvös Loránd University, one of the Hungarian
institutions with which Josai enjoys a program of academic exchange,
in 1987. Following the formation of the Alliance of Young Democrats,
Prime Minister Orbán has worked tirelessly for the promotion of liberty
and democracy in Hungary. In the 1990 national elections, which marked
the beginning of the demise of the Communist regime, Orbán retained hisseat in Parliament and has since played a pivotal role as a guiding leader ofthe Democratic People’s Party and later as Prime Minister.
After the ceremony, Prime Minister Orbán gave a special lecture tocommemorate his visit, entitled “Hungary and Europe in a Changing
World.” In his speech, the Prime Minister addressed Hungarian
infrastructure in the modern age, economic change, and the European
history that has influenced these developments, as well as his thoughts
for the future. He also included messages for the future generationof young leaders, providing his perspective on the last 25 years of
Hungarian history based on his own experience as a leader who
worked at the front line of political reform. Nearly 150 attendees sat
in rapt attention during Prime Minister Orbán’s lecture, including

guests that share a deep connection with Hungary and our university
such as—representing the Visegrád Group (V4)—Polish Ambassador
Cyryl Kozaczewski, Slovakian Ambassador Michal Kottman, Czech
Vice Minister Jan Juchelka, and EU representative Maeve Collins.
Guests also included Junpei Watanabe (Director, Japan Society for the
Promotion of Science), representatives from the Japan International
Cooperation Agency and Japan Science and Technology, in addition
to faculty, students and exchange students from Hungary, Poland, theCzech Republic, and Canada, to name a few. Students who could not
make it into the capacity-filled auditorium were able to listen to a live
broadcast in a separate room. The lecture was also broadcast throughout
the JU and JIU campuses.
Following his lecture, Prime Minister Orbán took the time to interact withstudents who could not make it into the auditorium as well as with exchange
students and other attendees. During this time, students who have studied
Hungarian at Josai greeted the Prime Minister and expressed thanks for his
visit in very fluent Hungarian, while Hungarian exchange students studying
at Josai provided reports on their exciting study abroad experience in Japan.
With this recent visit from Prime Minister Orbán, Josai anticipateseven closer relations with the nation of Hungary and increased
academic exchange with Hungarian universities.
Finally, based on Josai’s academic achievements in the study of Hungary
and other parts of Central Europe, academic exchange, humanresource development, and undergraduate and graduate education, theestablishment of The Josai Institute for Central European Studies on
the Tokyo Kioicho Campus was announced to promote joint research.

Prime Minister Orbán interacts with studentsIn conjunction with Hungarian President Viktor Orbán’s visit to Josai, the Mizuta Museum of
Art Gallery, located in the 3rd building of Tokyo Kioicho Campus, held a special photography
exhibit entitled, “Josai’s Exchange with Hungary.” This exhibit featured photographs that
introduce Hungary’s beautiful urban scenery and depict the Josai delegation’s visit to universities
in Hungary, as well as those that show the history of Josai-Hungary student exchange and themany Hungary-related symposiums and events that have been held at Josai over the years. The
photographs were accompanied by displays that highlight Hungary’s unique culture includingmusic, musical instruments, visual art, and literature.

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A view of the “Josai’s Exchange with Hungary”

Initial Issue 2014.2.1

Josai’s Polish Exchange Students Give Presentation at
Prime Minister Hosted “Poland, Ireland Evening Reception”
D a t e: October 25, 2013
Place: Official Residence of the Prime Minister
On October 25, 2013, Polish exchange students from the University of
Warsaw and the Polish-Japanese Institute of Information Technology
who are currently studying at Josai were invited to give a presentation
to promote Japan-Poland exchange at the “Poland, Ireland Evening
Reception” hosted by the household of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
As part of Josai’s Mid-term Target of strengthening international
exchange to cultivate global human resources, our university has
formed academic exchange agreements with a number of institutions
worldwide. Josai is particularly focused on developing programs of
exchange with Central European universities and is currently hosting
13 exchange students from three different Polish universities for a oneyear program of study.
The invitation was extended by the wife of Prime Minister Abe, who had
the occasion to tour the University of Warsaw and the Polish-JapaneseInstitute of Information Technology during the Prime Minister’s visit
to Warsaw in June, 2013. She requested that the exchange students“give a presentation at the ‘Poland, Ireland Evening Reception’ that
introduces the charm of Poland and provides suggestions—from an
exchange student perspective—as to how Japan and Poland can build
even stronger relations.”
Eight Polish exchange students currently studying at Josai gave theirpresentation on the growth of exchange between Japan and Poland

before an audience that included the Poland Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Finance Janusz Piechociński, Ambassadors and theirspouses from both Poland and Ireland, and Diet members from both
the Japan-Poland and Japan-Ireland Friendship Parliamentarians'
Union. During their presentation, the students explained how eachof them became interested in Japan and used a bus as a model for
their “mobile cultural center” to illustrate their proposal for thefurther advancement of Japan-Poland cultural exchange, receiving an
enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.

Gathered around Prime Minister Abe

The Hungarian President's visit to Josai
D a t e: December 3, 2009
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On December 3, 2009, President Sólyom László of the Republic of
Hungary paid a visit to the Tokyo Kioicho Campus, delivered a special
lecture, and spent time with students.
Arrived at three P.M., the President first had an informal gatheringwith Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, directors of the University, andof mutual exchanges between the University and the Republic of
Hungary. Chancellor said that two former Hungarian ambassadors
are affiliated with the University as visiting faculty members, teachingcourses on Hungarian history and culture and then announced theintroduction of a new scholarship as a way to honor the visit of thefaculty members. At the gathering, the President greeted the studentsof the Faculty of Tourism, who served him Japanese tea and Japanese
sweets in Hungarian, with smile.
Chancellor Mizuta gave a welcoming speech, explaining the history

President. She also introduced the special lecture by the President,
saying that its topic is especially relevant and timely for the current
situation of Japan as the nation is in the middle of transitional period,
looking for a new direction.

Greeting the Hungarian President SólyomThe Announcement of Mizuta Hungary Scholarship

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Initial Issue 2014.2.1
The President started his speech

and thus aims to encourage students from Hungary to come to Japanby stating that university is aand study at Josai.

place where he feels like home.
The President continued that theSpecial Lecture by the President

scholarship from the University

Entitled “A Revolution based on Law: Twenty Years after Hungary’s

is certainly an unforgettable
present, especially because thisyear marks the 140th anniversaryof Japan-Hungary amity. The
President hoped that Josai
would provide a role model
for mutual exchanges between
Japan and Hungary and also
added that he would personally
President Sólyom during his lecture
support exchange activities between Josai and Hungary from now on.

Democratization,” the President’s special lecture recounts the
President’s personal involvement with Hungary’s democratization
process in a compelling fashion, from his active participation in people’s
movements as a jurist to the establishment of the Constitutional Court
and his time as a first cabinet member. After the lecture, the President
took a number of questions from students from both universities andaddressed each of them attentively.
After the lecture, the President moved to the café in order to attend
a reception to which, the President said earlier, he eagerly looked
forward. Over twenty students, including Hungarian-majors, students
who did their internship on Japanese language education in Hungary,and Hungarian students studying at Josai, attended the reception andhad conversion with the President about Hungary under comfortable
atmosphere. After the reception which lasted longer than scheduled,
the President donated Hungarian textbooks to the University library,while Josai students presented mementos to the President. Gladly
accepting students’ request, lastly, the President signed his book that

Academic Exchange Agreement with Szent István University

The Chancellor Mizuta and the Rector Solti László signed an academic
exchange agreement between Josai and Szent István University of
Hungary with the President’s attendance. Szent István University is
Hungary’s leading university in the areas of Agriculture and Tourism
Studies and also famous for its Faculty of Social Sciences.

The signing ceremony was followed by the announcement of Mizuta
Hungary Scholarship. The Scholarship whose details were conveyed to
Mr. Bohar Erno, Hungarian Ambassador to Japan, was established tocommemorate the President’s visit to the University. The Scholarshipcovers tuition, travel and living expenses of students who wish to study
at Josai, especially in the areas of Business Management, Tourism,
Environment, International Culture and Information-Technology,

was donated to the library.
Josai is currently running a number of exchange programs with
Hungary such as short term study in Budapest, interchanges between
students through remote relay, lectures by Hungarian writers, andmore. As a result, over 230 students have taken Hungarian language
courses. The President’s visitation to Josai will further accelerate theseexchange activities of the University and hold up its dedication toeducate and produce those who would play vital roles in developing
relationships between Japan and Hungary.

Conversation with the President

The President signs his book

Mizuta Hungary Scholarship

Josai Co-Hosts “Visegrad Group and Japan, together for Eastern Partnership”
D a t e: February 5, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On February 5, 2013, Josai co-hosted “Visegrad Group and Japan,
together for Eastern Partnership” with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Polish Embassy in Tokyo in collaboration with V4 Embassies inTokyo at their Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
The Visegrad Group (V4), is an alliance formed by the four Eastern
European nations of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Republic of
Poland, and Slovakia Republic to promote goodwill and cooperation

between their countries. For their part, Japan has remained in close
dialogue with the V4, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs holding
seminars on a variety of topics including economics, environmental
issues, and efficient energy use and development.
The seminar also serves as a part of Josai’s Mid-term Target ofstrengthening relations with foreign universities—particularly those inCentral Europe—by forging academic exchange agreements, with the5Initial Issue 2014.2.1
ultimate goal of contributing to the growth of global human resources.

education program.

With Poland serving as chair, this year’s seminar, by taking the highly

Chancellor Noriko Mizuta gave the following words in her opening

discussed Eastern Partnership (the EU’s plan to strengthen regional

speech: “I consider it a great honor to host this year’s seminar for

relations between the six neighboring countries of Georgia, Ukraine,

Eastern partnership. As our university strives to develop humanAzerbaijan, Moldova, Armenia, and Belarus) as its topic, hoped toresources that can contribute on a global scale, I believe this seminar topromote recognition and understanding of the European nations
involved. For this reason, our university, having good relations andacademic exchange with Central European universities, was chosen as
the site of the seminar.
The seminar featured 150 participants in all, including representatives
from the Japanese government, ambassadors from nations in the
Eastern Partnership, as well as foreign diplomats from 22 different
countries, university faculty and staff, students, experts in the field,
and business people demonstrating their support for Josai’s global

be a valuable opportunity for our students in their growth as the next
generation of leaders.”
This was followed by individual keynote speeches from Mr. Minoru
Kiuchi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Japan,
Mrs. Grażyna Bernatowicz, Undersecretary of State at the Ministryof Foreign Affairs, Republic of Poland, and Mr. Hans-Dietmar
Schweisgut, Ambassador of the EU.
The seminar itself consisted of four sessions (listed below) on different
topics with expert panelists from both Japan and members of the

Chancellor Mizuta’s opening speech

Keynote speech from Mr. Minoru Kiuchi

Keynote Speech from Mrs. Grażyna Bernatowicz

Keynote speech from Mr. Hans-Dietmar Schweisgut

Participants from 22 different foreign embassies

A view of the seminar

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Initial Issue 2014.2.1
Eastern Partnership giving presentations, followed by lively rounds of
discussion.

Ms. Balint Anna Erzsebet, graduate of Hungary’s Eötvös Loránd
University and former exchange student at JU and JIU, also

Josai Professor Kenichi Matsuno served as commentator forparticipated in the seminar as a diplomat from the Hungarian Embassy

each session, making many contributions to the discussion. Josaiof Japan where she has worked since her graduation. She was just one

International University President Hakuo Yanagisawa then gave hisof many reminders of the undeniable success of Josai’s program forclosing speech to conclude the seminar.
The seminar was followed by a reception that assembled both panelists
and audience members who exchanged opinions on Japan’s role andthe future development of the V4 and Eastern Partnership.
This year’s seminar, by combining dialogue on topics for theorganization and maintenance of the V4 and Eastern Partnershipas well as possible directions for the future, proved a valuable
opportunity for students that participated, enabling them to enhancetheir understanding of regional issues and obtain a global perspective
through direct exposure to voices from these nations.

global human resources.
While over 2,000 students at JU and JIU have studied the Hungarian
language since the program’s launch in 2008, we will be adding courses
in both Polish and Czech starting this April, moving even further
toward our goal of global education.

T

Session1: Democracy, Good Governance, Stability
Session2: Economic Integration and Cooperation
Session3: Energy Security
Session4: Direction of Eastern Partnership and Japanese Diplomacy

he Visegrad Group (V4) plus Japan Summit Meeting, the first discussion by the V4 with an Asian country at this level,
was successfully held in Warsaw on 16 June 2013. The participating countries were represented by: Prime Minister

Petr Nečas of the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, Prime Minister
Donald Tusk of the Republic of Poland, and Prime Minister Robert Fico of the Slovak Republic. Following the Meeting, a joint
proclamation was issued that summarized the content of the proceedings. Within that summary, “Both the V4 and Japan
recognized that the ‘Visegrad Group and Japan, together for Eastern Partnership’ seminar and the Open Discussion held jointlywith the Josai University Educational Corporation in Tokyo in February 2013, contributed to strengthening cooperation between
the V4 and Japan on the Eastern Partnership.”

Chancellor Mizuta Receives Medal of Honor from Hungary
D a t e: November 21, 2013
Place: Embassy of Hungary in JapanOn November 21, 2013, Chancellor Noriko Mizuta was awarded theCommander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary (civil division)from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the Hungarian
Embassy in Japan.
This award acknowledges Chancellor Mizuta’s significant contributions
to education, research, and human resource development in both
Japan and Hungary.
The Order of Merit of Hungary was first established in 1991 and is
the highest honor within Hungary’s decoration system. The award isdivided into two categories—military and civilian—the Commander’s

Cross being the highest award available to foreigner civilians. AmongJapanese to have received this award in the past are Hiromasa Yonekura(Chairperson of the Federation of Economic Organizations) andToshiki Kaifu (former Prime Minister).

In addition to this award, Chancellor Mizuta received
the Pro Cultura Hungarica (Latin for “For Hungarian
Culture”) from the Hungarian government in May
2011. This award honors foreigners who have madevital contributions in promoting Hungarian culture andfacilitated cultural exchange abroad.

Awarding of the Pro Cultura Hungarica of the Republic of Hungary
Chancellor Mizuta receives Medal of Honor from the Hungarian Prime Minister

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The First Lady of the Republic of Poland Visited Josai
D a t e: April 12, 2012
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On April 12, 2012, Anna Komorowska, First Lady of the Republicof Poland, visited Tokyo Kioicho Campus of the Josai University
Educational Corporation and met Chancellor Mizuta.
Josai has been proactively promoting academic exchanges with several
countries in Central Europe, including Hungary and Poland with theaim of enhancing international exchange activities to develop global
human resource, one of Josai University Educational Corporation’s《7 J-Vision》. The Ambassador of Poland also visited the school thisFebruary. This was the first official visit of the First Lady to Japan.
During this trip, not only the First Lady but also Janina Ochojska,
the founder and chairperson of Polish Humanitarian Action, and theVice Chairman of the Polish President’s office, visited Josai University.
During the meeting, Chancellor Mizuta stated that “we are truly
grateful for the kind support and encouraging words that Poland
gave Japan at the time of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. Josai
University has actively promoted exchanges with Poland for a longtime, and it has been decided that we will accept exchange students
from Poland in October. We hope to further deepen our exchanges
because of this visit by the First Lady.”
The First Lady also stated “I am very glad to hear that the exchanges
between Josai University and universities in Poland have been actively
promoted. I hope that the exchanges between the two countries will
become even more active, including exchange students from Josai
University to Poland in the future.”
After the meeting, the First Lady and Chairperson Ochojska gave
speeches in the underground hall.
First, the First Lady gave a speech regarding Poland’s “Dr. Janusz
Korczak – an activist for children’s rights” in Poland, whose activism
inspired the foundation of the “Convention on the Rights of the Child”
by the United Nations. The First Lady introduced the philosophy
and activities of Dr. Korczak, and also discussed the activities of the“Solidarity Bridge” Project that she promotes, in which organizations
from both Japan and Poland support those affected by the Great
East Japan Earthquake. She stated “I hope that you will take thisFollowing the First Lady’s speech, Chairperson Ochojska gave a speech
titled “Female Leadership and the Activities of Polish Humanitarian
Action”. “Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH)” is an organizationthat promotes activities in various countries in the world that require
humanitarian support due to conflicts, natural disasters, and poverty,
among other reasons. Ever since the organization’s founding in 1992,
they have been involved in the Kosovo Conflict and Chechen war
as well as Afghanistan and provided various humanitarian support.
Ms. Ochojska proactively promotes activities as the chairperson.
In her speech, she introduced the objectives of the organization’s
establishment, history, and contents of past activities throughout theworld and also introduced specific examples of activities, such as thereconstruction of a kindergarten in Kesennuma that was affected by
the Great East Japan Earthquake last year.
Many students from both universities, including students of theFaculty of Social Work Studies in Josai International University
participated and listened to the speeches with great enthusiasm. They
asked many questions during the Q&A time as well.
In the following reception, students from both universities, including
overseas exchange students, enjoyed talking to the First Lady,
Chairperson Ochojska, and the Ambassador in a friendly atmosphereand deepened understanding between the two countries in aninternational atmosphere.
Since the year 2009 marked the 90th anniversary of the establishment

opportunity to learn a lot about Dr. Korczak and Poland.”of diplomatic relations between Japan and Poland, interests for Polishhistory/culture/scholarship and art are growing recently in Japan. Josai
University and Josai International University are also scheduled tohost a panel exhibition of Madame Curie, a great Polish figure who isextremely well-known in Japan.
Josai established an academic exchange agreement with the PolishJapanese Institute of Information Technology of Poland in September
2011. The first exchange students from the institute are scheduled tocome to study at Josai starting in October.
We hope that this official visit by the First Lady will lead to more active
exchanges between Josai and universities in Poland in the future.

The First Lady greeting the audience

Commemorative photo with the group of the First Lady

8

Initial Issue 2014.2.1

Josai Launches Occupational Training Program at Budapest Business School―Japan within the World, Noriko Mizuta Scholarship for Women Leaders—D a t e: March 5-13, 2013
Place: Budapest Business School, Hungary
are all eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness the students’
growth after grappling with these important questions.
The lectures were given almost entirely in English (and occasional
Japanese), with the program utilizing the valuable cooperation of
Hungarian students studying the Japanese language. As English
is a foreign language for Hungarian students as well, the visit wasan opportunity to converse in the “global language” with othernon-native speakers, in addition to speaking Japanese with those
Hungarian students studying the Japanese language. For students,
this program provided an invaluable opportunity for exchange in
multiple languages with others from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
Students demonstrated their commitment to making the most of thisrare learning opportunity by staying up late into the night on the last
day of the program in preparation for final presentations which took
place the following day.

“Japan within the World”

From March 5 to 13, 2013, 30 selected undergraduates from Josai andJosai International University participated in an occupational training
program at Budapest Business School in Hungary. This program wasdesigned with the goal of fostering human resources that can contributeto society at a global level. It places a particular emphasis on acquiring
the ability to view Japanese culture from a broad outside perspective of
the rest of the world. This year’s program was conducted as two separate
programs: Josai’s “Japan within the World” lecture series and a global
internship associated with mentioned program. Also this program
was jointly conducted as part of the Noriko Mizuta Scholarship for
Women Leaders founded in 2006. Of the 30 participants in this year’s
program, nine are recipients of the Noriko Mizuta Scholarship.
For the duration of the program, mornings were spent attending
lectures at the Budapest Business School and afternoons devoted tovisiting famous historical sites and doing fieldwork around the city.
The group also studied Hungarian receptivity to Japanese culture byvisiting museums in the Budapest area. Through their fieldwork,
the students interviewed Japanese nationals living in Hungary andwere able to alter their perceptions of Japanese culture through thepersonal testaments of Hungarian subjects, many of who hold a deep
connection with Japan. In so doing, the students were able to engage
in a form of intercultural communication by asking such fundamental
questions as, “What is Japan?” and “What is Japanese identity?” We“Noriko Mizuta Scholarship for Women Leaders”

Recipients of the Noriko Mizuta Scholarship for Women Leaders, inaddition to participating in the above program, interviewed Budapest
Business School Rector Éva Sándor-kriszt, and paid a visit to Hungarian
Ambassador at Large for Emergency Security Anita Orbárn. Much like
Japan, in Hungary the percentage of leadership positions (membersof the National Diet, business executives) occupied by women is just
10%, a number that is extremely low compared to other advanced

Opening day orientation at Budapest Business School

Tour of National Diet building

Opening remarks from BBS Rector Sándor-kriszt at final student presentations (BBS Professor Judit
Hidasi (L), Japanese Ambassador to Hungary Tadamichi Yamamoto (R))

Recipients of the Noriko Mizuta Scholarship for Women Leaders surround Rector Sándor-kriszt for
an interview

9Initial Issue 2014.2.1
nations.

Rector Sándor-kriszt and Ambassador Orbárn are twoamong Josai’s student body, never failing to produce concrete results

examples of this rare female leadership in contemporary Hungarianor increase their membership every year. It is through L-WIN’s

society. Scholarship recipients listened intently to stories of the two

support that the Noriko Mizuta Scholarship for Women Leaders was

women’s experiences and growth process, thereby gaining a sense ofable to realize an overseas occupational training program such as this.

their awareness and ambition as female leaders.

In addition, many female faculty members at Budapest Business School

Both Rector Sándor-kriszt and Ambassador Orbárn are members ofa network of female leaders organized by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta
called L-WIN (Leaders-Women International Network). L-WIN has
provided much support over the years in fostering female leadershipwere kind enough to contribute to the study by providing candid
accounts of their experiences as workingwomen in Hungarian society.
Based on the success of these exchanges, we can expect the formationof a new network, this time between Japanese and Hungarian women.

The 19 th Annual Czech Debate Contest is held at Josai
D a t e: May 25, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus

Ms. Utsuda shakes hands with Ambassador Fialková during the award ceremony

Recipient of the Chancellor’s Award, Ôe (center)

On May 25, 2013, the 19th Annual Czech Debate Contest was held

Ambassador Fialková, Professor Kenichi Abe (Rikkyo University),
Professor Markéta Gebhartová (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies),
Kôhei Tsukamoto (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Central and South
Eastern Europe Division), and Ryôko Yamamoto (Czech Center),
Hikari Utsuda was given first prize, receiving her certificate and prize ofa one-month study abroad stay at a Czech university including airfare
from Prague to other European cities, from Ambassador Fialková.
Contestant Tomoko Ôe received honorable mention with the—special
to this year’s contest—Noriko Mizuta Chancellor’s Award along witha certificate and memento from Chancellor Mizuta.
To close the event, three Josai student representatives who began
studying the Czech language last April took the stage to give greetings
and announce their aspirations for the future in Czech. We have great
expectations for these students in terms of their improvement in the
Czech language and ability to promote global communication.

under the auspice of the Embassy of the Czech Republic at Tokyo
Kioicho Campus of Josai University Educational Corporation.
Until this year, the contest was held annually at the Czech Embassy, butwith the embassy currently undergoing renovation, Josai provide a venue
for the contest. As a part of Josai’s Mid-term Target, our university has
actively conducted exchanges with universities from Central European
countries such as the Czech Republic. Josai also began offering a courseon the Czech language for the first time this year.
Ambassador Kateřina Fialková provided opening remarks before
the debate, saying, “With each year, the positive reputation of thisevent continues to grow. I believe that this debate contest is partially
responsible for the increased number of Czech speaking Japanese whowill serve as links for Japanese-Czech amnesty. This is the first timethat the debate will take place outside the Czech Embassy, at Josai
University. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Chancellor
Noriko Mizuta and all those involved in making this event possible.”
Chancellor Mizuta also gave a brief greeting by saying, “It is a greathonor for Josai to host the Czech Debate Contest. It is my hopethat Josai students who have started studying the Czech language willcompete in the context next year.”
There were ten participants, both male and female, in this year’s contest.
The proceedings began with each contestant giving a self-introduction
in Czech. They then each gave a five-minute speech on one of two
set topics, either “food and household customs” or “personal plans
for the future.” While each contestant differed in age, grade, learning
experience, and environment, all demonstrated the fruits of their hard
work before a large audience.
Based on the scrupulous assessment of the five judge panel of

A commemorative photo with contestants and judges

10Initial Issue 2014.2.1

I

n addition, the Mizuta Art Gallery located in the 3rd building ofcampus held a special photography exhibition entitled “Josai andCzech Exchange,” coordinated in conjunction with the debate contest.
As part of Josai’s Mid-term Target of strengthening international exchange
to cultivate global human resources, our university has formed academic
exchange programs with a number of institutions worldwide, with aparticular emphasis on universities in Central Europe. During Chancellor
Mizuta’s visit to the Czech Republic in March, 2012, Josai was able toform an academic exchange agreement with the University of Economics,
Prague thanks to the gracious introduction of Ambassador Fialková. Thisagreement will be followed by another Josai visit to the Czech Republic Ambassadors view the photography exhibition at the 3rd building art gallery
in June, 2012, with stops at the aforementioned University of Economics, Charles University in Prague, and Masaryk University.
The exhibition featured numerous photos of the beautiful Czech landscape, Josai’s visit to the Czech Republic last June, various
symposia and events related to the Czech Republic that have been held at Josai, and other photos that introduce Czech music,
literature, animation, puppet theater, and other products of their unique culture.

Josai Hosts Ceremony for Noriko Mizuta Hungary,
Poland, Czech Scholarship; Pays Visit to Polish Embassy
D a t e: September 30, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On September 30, 2013, Josai hosted the award ceremony for thisyear’s Noriko Mizuta Hungary, Poland, Czech Scholarship at theTokyo Kioicho Campus.
The Noriko Mizuta Hungary Scholarship was established tocommemorate the visit of Hungarian President Sólyom László toTokyo Kioicho Campus in December 2009. With the goal of serving
as a bridge between Japan and Hungary through the development of
human resources, this scholarship funds the tuition of outstanding
Hungarian exchange students to Josai.
As part of Josai’s Mid-term Target of strengthening international
exchange to cultivate global human resources, our universities haveformed academic exchange agreements with a number of institutions
worldwide, with a particular emphasis on universities in the V4 andother parts of Central Europe. This year’s scholarship, now in its
4th year, also awarded students from Poland and the Czech Republic

Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, theUniversity of Szeged, and the University of Debrecen in Hungary who
will be studying at either JU or JIU; 13 students from the Universityof Warsaw, the University of Lodz, the Polish-Japanese Institute ofInformation Technology in Poland who will be studying at either
JU or JIU; and two students from Charles University in Prague andMasaryk University in the Czech Republic who will be studying at
JIU—30 students in all.
At the ceremony, after presenting award certificates to each scholarshipstudent, Chancellor Mizuta named two ambassadors from eachcountry for the student friendship association, presenting each studentwith a sash. Much will be expected from these six ambassadors inbuilding cultural exchange between Japan and their home countries.
The ceremony continued with three spokespeople (Fehér István from
Hungary, Czubek Jowita Agnieszka from Poland, and Rezazgui David
from the Czech Republic) from this year’s scholarship class giving wordsof thanks and their personal pledges for the forthcoming scholarshipyear. The students first thanked Chancellor Mizuta and the otherfoundation members for providing a scholarship that will allow themto fully dedicate themselves to their studies. They pledged to use this

who will be studying at Josai or Josai International University, thus
extending the scholarship to include students from three countries.
This year’s scholarship recipients consist of 15 students from Budapest
Business School, Corvinus University of Budapest, Szent István
University, Eötvös Loránd University, the College of Nyíregyháza,

Scholarship Recipients

The six ambassadors from this year’s Friendship Association pose alongside Chancellor Mizuta, JU
President Yasunori Morimoto, and JIU Vice President Masumi Ishida11

Initial Issue 2014.2.1
scholarship year to study traditional Japanese culture, economics, andsociety and to work to facilitate mutual cultural understanding between● Access Map

Japan and their home countries.
The ceremony concluded with Chancellor Mizuta providing wordsof encouragement to the students.

She said, “To become global

professionals, please do your best to actively study the culture, history,
and arts of countries other than your own. I strongly believe that the
precious experience you will have studying here in Japan will positively
contribute to the development of your future career. I also hope thatyour presence will provide a good stimulus to the Japanese students at
our universities.”
Since 2008, nearly 2,000 students at Josai and Josai International
University have studied Hungarian. With the addition of language
courses in Polish and Czech beginning April, 2013, Josai will become aneven richer place for global education.
In addition, on September 26, the thirteen Polish recipients of the
Mizuta Scholarship, along with a Josai delegation led by Chancellor
Mizuta, visited the Polish Embassy in Japan to meet Ambassador Cyryl
Kozaczewski.
The ambassador warmly greeted the first time exchange students, giving
them words of encouragement by saying, “The possibilities for yourfuture are infinite. Please make the most of this valuable opportunity at
Josai to study and experience many things and in turn use this experience
to not only serve as a mediator between Poland and Japan, but to becomea skilled professional who can contribute at a global level.”
The scholarship students then gave self-introductions one-by-one influent Japanese, expressing their personal goals for the year abroad.
Ambassador Kozaczewski also indicated that he has great expectations forthe growth of these students during their scholarship year.

Commemorative photo with participants

3-26 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan

TEL.+81-3-6238-1300

http://www.josai.jp/
http://www.josai.ac.jp/
http://www.jiu.ac.jp/

Josai Institute for Central European Studies
3-26 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan

http://www.josai.jp/jicpas/jices/index.html e-mail: jices@jiu.ac.jp12