No.20 2015.3.31

国際学術文化振興センター

JOSAI INTERNATIONAL CENTER
for the Promotion of Art and Science(JICPAS)

No.20（2015.3.31）

International Exchange
Josai Forms Exchange Agreement with the University of Limerick,Hosts Lecture by Irish Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

International
Exchange

D a t e: March 18, 2015
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On the morning of March 18, 2015, a delegation led by Irish Minister
for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin and Irish
Ambassador Anne Barrington visited Josai University Educational
Corporation’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus. Students and faculty fromboth Josai University and Josai International University greeted thegroup, who then proceeded to the 1st building hall where they signed

Josai selected as representatives for their respective countries. Generalmanager of the Japan Business Federation’s International Affairs
Bureau, Kazuyuki Kinbara and Irish Ambassador to Japan Anne
Barrington were also in attendance for the signing. One special featureof this particular agreement is the inclusion of a Japanese internshipprogram made possible through the support of the Japan Business
Federation. This marks Josai’s first academic exchange agreement withan Irish university.

the academic exchange agreement.
Josai University Educational Corporation’s academic exchange
agreement with the University of Limerick was finalized under thejurisdiction of Minister Brendan Howlin and former Japan Business
Federation chairman Hiromasa Yonekura. Beginning with opening
remarks and words of thanks from Chancellor Noriko Mizuta as well as
University of Limerick director of International Exchange, Dr. Patricia
O’Flaherty, the agreement was finalized with the signatures of Chancellor
Mizuta, Dr. O’Flaherty, Minister Howlin, and Mr. Yonekura.
The initial idea for this academic exchange agreement came in
December 2013, during Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny’s
visit to Japan. Then Japan Business Federation chairman Hiromasa
Yonekura secured a verbal agreement with Mr. Kenny for Japan and
Ireland to collaborate in human resource development. The exchange
agreement was then drawn up, with the University of Limerick andMinister Howlin gives his lecture

Finalizing the exchange agreement

Minister Howlin interacts with Josai students1

No.20 2015.3.31
The signing was then followed by a lecture from Minister Howlin. He

can expect news of Josai’s growing program of exchange with Irish

spoke for nearly thirty minutes on the topic of “The Importance ofuniversities in the near future.

Reform in Ireland’s Economic Recovery.” Minister Howlin graciously

Note: The University of Limerick was established in 1972 and is

took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions from students

located in the city of Limerick, Ireland. The university is comprised ofin the audience and converse with exchange students.

six schools, including business administration, education, and science,

Given this most recent academic exchange agreement and theopportunity to hear a lecture from a current Irish minister, onewith a total enrollment of approximately 17,000. It is also known tohost one of the few Japanese language departments in Ireland.

Josai Completes Academic Exchange Agreement with
Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne

International
Exchange

D a t e: October 1, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On October 1, 2014, Josai University Educational Corporation
completed an academic exchange agreement with France’s Université
Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne (formerly université Paris 12-Val
de Marne). As part of Josai’s Mid-term Target of strengthening
international exchange to cultivate global human resources, ouruniversity has now formed academic exchange agreements with 128
institutions abroad, including three in France.
As part of his trip to Japan, Université Paris-Est Créteil administrator
Eric Hertzler paid a visit to the Tokyo Kioicho Campus 3rd building
International Conference Room where he applied his seal of approvalto the academic exchange agreement. After Chancellor Noriko
Mizuta provided her welcome greetings and Mr. Hertzler expressed
his gratitude, the meeting proceeded with introductions of the two
universities using prerecorded videos. Then, following greetings from
Josai University President Yasunori Morimoto, Josai International

University President Hakuo Yanagisawa, and executive faculty,
Chancellor Mizuta and Mr. Hertzler apposed their seals to theexchange agreement. Mr. Hertzler also visited JIU’s Chiba Togane andAwa campuses on October 2, returning to the Tokyo Kioicho Campus
on the 3rd to give a lecture entitled, “Globalization and France’s Higher
Education System.”
Université Paris-Est Créteil, founded in 1970, is one of the
Université de Paris: 13 autonomous national universities withinstitutions situated in Paris, Créteil, or Versailles. The university
has an enrollment of roughly 30,000 with departments and research
institutes in medicine, international relations, law, literature,
linguistics, and economics, among others. The university also hosts
nearly 3,000 exchange students per year, and plans with Josai areunderway to launch student exchange and joint research programsin the near future.

Mr. Hertzler (left) and Chancellor Mizuta appose their seals to the exchange agreement

Mr. Hertzler during his lecture

The Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Visits Josai, Gives Lecture
D a t e: November 13, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On November 13, 2014, The Czech Minister of Industry and Trade,
Jan Mládek, visited the Tokyo Kioicho Campus where he gave alecture and met with students. Minister Mládek studied economics
at the University of Economics, Prague and mathematics at Charles
University in Prague and has worked as Director of the Czech Institutefor Applied Economics, First Deputy Minister of Finance, Minister ofAgriculture, and most recently, starting this year, Minister of Industry
and Trade.

International
Exchange

As part of Josai’s plan of strengthening international exchange tocultivate global human resources, our university has formed academic
exchange agreements with a number of institutions worldwide,
particularly those that are located in the V4 countries of Central
Europe—Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. To evenfurther promote exchange between Josai and the V4, the Josai Institutefor Central European studies was established on Josai’s main campus
in November 2013.

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No.20 2015.3.31
In the Czech Republic, Josai has formed academic exchange

Mládek’s speech stressed the importance of a promising entrance byagreements with the University of Economics, Prague; Charles

Japan to advance the EU marketplace. During the Q&A, Minister

University in Prague; and Masaryk University, with Josai International
University hosting Czech exchange students starting last year and Josai

Mládek fielded questions from exchange and graduate students,
responding politely to each one. In closing, second year student in

University this year. Minister Mládek’s visit to Josai is an extension

the JIU Faculty of International Humanities majoring in Internationalof their exceptional commitment to international exchange.
Minister Mládek arrived with a delegation from the Czech Embassy led
by Tomas Dub, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Japan. Czech
and Hungarian exchange students and Japanese students studying at
Josai greeted the group as they arrived. The group then met with Josai
University Educational Corporation Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, JU
President Yasunori Morimoto, JIU President Hakuo Yanagisawa, andother university representatives. Chancellor Mizuta gave introductory
remarks by saying, “It is a great honor that you would take time
to visit our university. We think that your lecture will provide a
precious opportunity for students to learn more about the Czech
Republic.” Minister Mládek replied by saying, “I am very thankful
for this opportunity.” The meeting then proceeded with greetings of
welcome from three Czech exchange students studying at Josai andfour former exchange students who became Josai faculty members thisyear.
The title of Minister Mládek’s lecture was “The Czech Republic andJapan.” With the Czech Republic as a core member of the EU, Minister

Exchange, Minoru Masumoto, thanked Minister Mládek for his
lecture in Czech, drawing a smile from the speaker. The lecture also
featured participation from former ambassador to the Czech Republic
Tadashi Otaka and his wife, honorary President of the Japan Czech
Friendship Association, Setsuko Otaka, with the audience listening in
rapt attention.
The lecture concluded with a meet and greet with students based on
the strong urging of Minister Mládek. While scheduling permitted
just a short twenty-minute session, Minister Mládek was able tomeet briefly with all of the students, including Japanese students
studying the Czech language and the thirty or so exchange students
from the Czech Republic and other V4 nations. The delegation
expressed their many thanks and was sent off with a round of
applause.
It is our hope that this visit from Minister Mládek will lead to evenmore productive exchange with the Czech Republic.

Minister Mládek delivers his lecture

Minister Mládek meets with students

A group from Josai University Educational Corporation
visits Sweden

International
Exchange

D a t e: October 5-11, 2014
Place: Kingdom of Sweden
A group of Josai University Educational Corporation consisting of 6
members led by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta has recently visited Sweden
from October 5 to 11, 2014.
The main destinations were the residence of the ambassador of Sweden
to Japan, the Museum of Ethnography, Zui-Ki-Tei, Karolinska
Institutet and its hospital, Moderna Museet in Stockholm, theMuseum of Far Eastern Antiquities, European Institute of JapaneseStudies in the Stockholm School of Economics, and Uppsala
University.
Dr. Lars Vargö, who is a former ambassador to Japan, introduced
each destination and accompanied the group. The group met withAmbassador Seiji Morimoto of Japan to Sweden, President Kaj
Falkman of Svensk-Japanska Sällskapet, Director Marie Söderberg of

the European Institute of Japanese Studies in the Stockholm Schoolof Economics, Chancellor Eva Åkesson of Uppsala University, etc.
and we were able to make significant progresses in the development of
academic exchanges between Sweden and Josai University Educational
Corporation.
In addition, the Nobel Prize in Physics was attributed while the groupwas visiting the ambassador’s residence, and we were able to celebrate
the nomination of a Japanese national with the ambassador and board
members of Svensk-Japanska Sällskapet.
We hope to develop the exchanges with each university andinstitute in the future and promote productive activities in
preparation for the 150th anniversary of Swedish – Japanese exchanges
in 2018.

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No.20 2015.3.31[Details of the visit]
Visit to the residence of ambassador of Japan to
Sweden from 12pm on October 7 (Tuesday)

Society guided us, and we had the honor of having the tea made by

We visited the residence of ambassador of Japan to Sweden from 12pm

strong impression. This is a valuable tea house, so we hope to consider

on October 7 (Tuesday). The Nobel Prize in Physics was announced on

how we can effectively utilize it to disseminate Japanese culture.

the members of Swedish Uasenke in Zui-Ki-Tei. The tea ceremony,
which was held while beautiful autumn leaves fell around us, left athe same day, and we had the honor of receiving the newsflash about
the nomination of a Japanese national from Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Sweden Seiji Morimoto. This was amemorable moment for Chancellor Mizuta, who is the president of
the Japan-Sweden Society, and Ambassador Morimoto to meet at theambassador’s residence on the day of the Nobel Prize announcement.
This was a memorable day to build a momentum for further
international exchanges between the two countries in the future.
Since the Japan-Sweden Society has also asked Japanese people, whowere nominated for Nobel Prizes, to become honorable members inorder to promote academic and cultural exchanges between Japan and
Sweden, this turned out to be a day that enabled us to have more hopefor further exchanges between the two countries.
A lunch reception was hosted by Ambassador Morimoto, and board
members of Svensk-Japanska Sällskapet in Sweden, including former
Ambassador Lars Vargö of Sweden to Japan and former Counsellor Kaj
Reinius, participated in the reception to meet Chancellor Mizuta on
her trip to Sweden. Opinions were actively exchanged throughout thereception regarding future promotion of cultural exchanges, cultural
exchanges for young generations, and academic exchanges, between
the two countries that will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Swedish

Visit to the Japan Society for the
Promotion of Science (JSPS) Stockholm Office from10:00 on October 8 (Wednesday)
Kenji Sugibayashi and Tomoko Sano met Professor Hideo Akutsu(honorary professor of Osaka University), who is the director of the office.
This facility is an academic exchange support organization for 5 North
European countries, 3 Baltic countries, and Japan. Since it was theannouncement date for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry on the day of ourvisit, other employees were absent. However, Director Akutsu himself gave
us thorough explanations on the works of the JSPS Stockholm Office.
The office not only handles researcher exchanges with Japan but also
works on promoting student exchanges with Japan. However, he said
that the JSPS Stockholm Office still has not been able to establish afoothold for Norway. Due to the fact that JIU hosts 20 students from
University of Oslo every year, it is possible that we may be able toestablish an alliance with the JSPS Stockholm Office.

Visit to Karolinska Institutet and its
hospital from 12:00 on October 8 (Wednesday)
Although it is named an institute, it is actually a medical university
where the nomination committee for the Nobel Prize in Physiology
or Medicine is located. This beautiful campus is made of bricks, which
is suitable for the biggest campus in the world and the institute that
represents Europe. Nobel Memorial Hall is located at the entrance, andwe were informed that a number of related lectures are held in the hall.
This is currently the leading medical university in Sweden.
We also visited Karolinska University Hospital. The comprehensive
reception was located inside of the entrance, and a bright restaurant(cafeteria) was behind it. Possibly because we visited around lunch
time, there were many people having lunch. The convenience store in– Japanese exchanges in 2018. We made a promise to make efforts tofurther deepen the relationship in the future.

the hospital was also bright. The great difference from the first floor ofJapanese hospitals left a strong impression on us.
We also visited the pharmacy in front of the hospital. It not only had
the prescription reception and the dispensing facility but also had
the drugstore section offering general medical goods, cosmetics, etc.
Japanese dispensing pharmacies rarely have OTC, etc. (Essentially,
it is desirable for pharmacies to be able to dispense medical
pharmaceutical products and offer general medical goods and healthmaintenance-related miscellaneous goods.) There was a lot for us tolearn there.

With Ambassador Morimoto, holding the press release regarding the Nobel Prize in Physics, which
was just announced

Visit to “Zui-Ki-Tei” in the Museum of
Ethnography from 3pm on October 7 (Tuesday)
We visited the tea house that was donated to the Swedish National
Museum of Ethnography by Ginjiro Fujiwara, who was the presidentof Swedish-Japanese Association, in 1935. “Zui-Ki-Tei” burned downin 1969 but was re-built with the donation of 4 paper manufacturers
in Japan in 1989 and donated to the Museum of Ethnography again.
In response to the recent appointment as the president of the JapanSweden Society, Chancellor Mizuta visited the tea house to consider
its maintenance, utilization methods, etc. in preparation for the 150th

Observation of the School of Japanese in the
Department of Oriental Languages in Stockholm
University from 14:00 on October 8 (Wednesday)
Visitors: Kenji Sugibayashi, Tomoko Sano
Stockholm University consists of a main campus made of a numberof big modern buildings and another campus with brick buildings
scattered around the campus. The School of Japanese is located on thelatter campus, and approximately 150 students were learning Japanese.
The school is of similar size as the School of Japanese in the Universityof Warsaw, which Professor Sugibayashi visited in June of this year.

anniversary year of Swedish – Japanese exchanges in 2018 in the future.
On the day of the visit, Lotten Gustafsson Renius, who is thecurator of the Museum of Ethnography, also joined us and guided
us through the Japan area. Afterwards, former President Yu Komakiof the Japanese Society and President Yoko Kaneko of the Japanese4

No.20 2015.3.31

Meeting Mr. Kaj Falkman (President of SvenskJapanska Sällskapet) at Museum of Far Eastern
Antiquities from 12:00 on October 8 (Wednesday)

future in order to promote the exchanges between Josai University

We met President Kaj Falkman of Svensk-Japanska Sällskapet, who isdepartments in the fields of economy/management with a number ofa former ambassador to Japan and President of Swedish Haiku Society,students and faculty members. We concluded the visit after confirmingin the beautiful restaurant in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities
that overlooks the lake. He has an extensive knowledge of manydifferent literary cultures including Japanese literature and history andtold us many interesting stories. Afterwards, he guided us through the
Chinese, Korean, and Japanese exhibition areas in the Museum of Far
Eastern Antiquities. He then guided us through the Modern Museum,in which contemporary art was displayed.

that we will discuss specifics of academic exchanges with Stockholm
School of Economics in the future and promote the exchanges.

Educational Corporation and Stockholm School of Economics.
Josai University and Josai International University have as many as 3

Meeting with the chancellor of Uppsala University
Visit to Uppsala University from 9:30am on
October 9 (Thursday)
We headed to Uppsala, which is the 4th biggest city (population ofslightly over 200,000) in Sweden located 70km from Stockholm andvisited Uppsala University. Uppsala University was established in
1477 and is the oldest university in North Europe with over 40,000
students, offering 9 faculties of theology, law, medicine, pharmacy,
science, languages, educational sciences, social sciences, and art.
We met Chancellor Eva Åkesson in the “Linnaeus’s Room”. We
introduced our school and discussed the possibility of exchanges
between the two universities. Due to the fact that the meeting was
between two female top persons, Chancellor Åkesson expressed strong
interests toward the recent development of women’s studies andwomen’s active roles in Japan. This conversation was followed by afriendly discussion regarding exchanges of faculty members/students
in the medical/welfare fields and language/art fields, etc. over lunch.

President Falkman of Svensk-Japanska Sällskapet and Chancellor Mizuta looking at modern paintings

Visit to Stockholm School of Economics from
5pm on October 8 (Wednesday)
We visited the office of Professor Marie Söderberg in the Stockholm
School of Economics, which is located in Stockholm. Professor
Söderberg currently serves as the director of the European Institute ofJapanese Studies. The Stockholm School of Economics was establishedin 1909 and is a college with a long history. It is also known as theschool in which both Heckscher and Ohlin of the Heckscher–Ohlinmodel, which is well-known in the field of international economy,taught. It is also globally-known as a research institute that greatly
affects the attribution of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics.
During the meeting with Professor Söderberg, opinions were exchanged overa wide range of topics, such as the roles of the European Institute of JapaneseStudies in the EU, recent Japanese economic society, etc. Chancellor Mizuta
introduced issues of women’s advancement into Japanese society, roles ofwomen in households, etc. Professor Söderberg introduced cases in whichfewer women are still appointed as corporate officers in companies in Sweden,
in which women’s advancement into society has developed socially, etc.
It was decided that we will continue to exchange opinions and holddiscussions regarding exchanges between the universities in the

In Linnaeus’s Room with the chancellor of Uppsala University and former Ambassador Vargö of Sweden

Visit to Uppsala University library
There are 12 libraries in the oldest university in Northern Europe. We
were guided to the oldest library area, which is the main library area. A
museum is located on the first floor of the building, exhibiting a numberof valuable pieces, including a bible made of silver, a musical score of “DieZauberflöte” by Mozart, etc. Other areas are modern browsing rooms forstudents, and many students were entering and leaving the areas.

Meeting at the European Institute of Japanese Studies in the Stockholm School of Economics

With writings of Harry Martinson’s in hand at the CAROLINA REDIVIVA of Uppsala University5

No.20 2015.3.31
When we went to the 6th floor, book shelves were filled with beautiful
manuscripts which have been collected since the establishment of thestudents. We explained that we have implemented internships on Japanese

university in 1477. Since Uppsala University is renowned as Linnaeus’s

In addition, Chancellor Mizuta also made proposals regarding student

university, a number of old biology/plant/flower-related materials haveexchanges, Swedish classes, and dispatching of faculty members. We

also been collected from all over the world. On this visit, they made anlook forward to future exchanges.

teaching method in the University of Oslo, and they expressed great interests.

exception and showed us Harry Martinson’s drawings, letters, journals,
etc. to celebrate the fact that Chancellor Mizuta is an awardee of the
Cikada Prize. There was also a part of the journal where he was inspiredwith an image for the work, for which he received the Nobel Prize in
Literature, and we were deeply moved.

Visit to Uppsala University Hospital from 3:30pm
on October 9 (Thursday)
When we entered the hospital, there were an open café and convenience
store in a bright atmosphere just like Karolinska University Hospital,
and many people were utilizing the facilities.
Dr. Mikael Köhler, who is the head of the Department of Cardiology,
guided us through the hospital wings. We visited the emergency carewing, rheumatology wing, and the nephrology wing. Especially in theemergency care wing, there were only curtains separating the hallway
and rooms, providing an environment in which the medical team caneasily attend to patients. This left a strong impression on us.
Afterwards, we listened to the overview in the seminar room. They
explained how each building has different departments and that this
hospital especially excels at plastic surgery treatment, etc. After the
explanations, a Q&A session was held in connection to the differenceof the insurance system between two countries, including differences inmedical cost and medical systems in Japan and Sweden, etc.

Lunch meeting at Uppsala University
October 9 (Thursday) at restaurant OX
Five members from Uppsala University: Professor Ann Öhrberg (chair of
the Department of Literature), Professor Anna Williams (professor in the
Department of Literature) Ms. Erika Dabhilkar (section director in the Student
Affairs and Academic Registry Division, International Office), Mr. Thomas
Fredengren, accompanied by former Ambassador Lars Vargö of Sweden to Japan.
A lunch meeting was held regarding specific exchanges between the
two universities, and was attended by the Chair at the Department of
Literature, professor at the Department of Literature, and section director
at Student Affairs and Academic Registry Division, International Office.
First, Josai University Educational Corporation introduced the past
relationship between Josai University Educational Corporation and
Sweden with examples of the Mai Zetterling-project, tree planting
ceremony in honor of Raoul Wallenberg, lecture by the former
Ambassador Vargö, International Symposium Commemorating
Winning of the Cikada Prize, etc. and deepened mutual understanding.
Uppsala University told us that there are many students in Sweden who
wish to learn Japanese due to the influence of Japanese pop culture. We
explained the exceptional Japanese education and exchange program in
Josai University Educational Corporation. At the same time, we alsomentioned student’s opportunities to learn about Japanese culture in the
Faculty of Media Studies the Faculty of International Humanities as wellas our “Global College” program, in which classes are taught in English.
Uppsala University also asked us about the possibility of internships for

At the Uppsala University Hospital

Josai Delegation Pays a Visit to Malaysia, Vietnam

International

Exchange
D a t e: January 1-23, 2015
Place: Management and Science University, Malaysia;
Ho Chi Minh University of Transport, Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and Education,
Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, Foreign Trade University, Vietnam

Chancellor Mizuta Awarded
Honorary Doctoral Degree from Management
and Science University, Malaysia
From January 23 to 31, 2015, a Josai University Educational
Corporation delegation led by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta andconsisting of Yukihisa Kitamura (Chancellor’s Office Manager),
Masumi Ishida (Vice President, Professor in the Faculty of Tourism),Kenji Sugibayashi (Vice President, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Supervisor), Yuka Kawano (Associate Professor, Department ofInternational Exchange Studies), Jordan Smith (Associate Professor
in the Faculty of International Humanities), and Romain Duchesnes(Assistant Professor, Faculty of Media Studies) paid a visit to Malaysia
and Vietnam.

Chancellor Mizuta receives her honorary doctorate from the Queen

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No.20 2015.3.31

Management and Science University (MSU), located in the Kuala

Josai Forms Exchange Agreementswith Four Universities in Vietnam

Lumpur suburb of Shah Alam.

On the 24th, the delegation visited Josai’s sister institution,
Chancellor Mizuta received an

As the second leg of their trip, the Josai delegation next visited Vietnam.

honorary doctoral degree from MSU to acknowledge her numerous

The primary goals of their visit to Vietnam was to establish academic

academic accomplishments as well as her work to elevate the status

exchange agreements with four different universities and to introduceof women in a ceremony that took place on that day. The honorary
degree was conferred to Chancellor Mizuta by Her Majesty, Queen
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajjah Haminah who also serves as
MSU Chancellor.
During the ceremony, Chancellor Mizuta expressed her joy atreceiving the award. “By assembling a humanities department thatemphasizes practical skills in finance, management, and tourism
as well as a health sciences department centered on health andmedicine, MSU shares very similar academic goals to Josai University
and Josai International Universities. The MSU-Josai exchange beganwith the common idea of working together to foster human resourcesthat can assume leadership positions and guide society in notjust Malaysia and Japan, but Asia and the world as well. Our
student exchange program began in 2012, with 65 Josai students
presently studying at MSU. In addition, Josai is currently hosting
34 students from MSU, 12 of whom are studying at the Facultyof Pharmaceutical Sciences. Receiving this honorary degree fromMSU is, for me, a tremendous honor and I would like to express mygratitude to everyone involved. Since, from this day forward, I am
now a member of MSU, I hope that we can develop our program of
exchange even further,” she said.

high school students and other members of the young generation to
the appeal of Japan and Josai in an effort to instill the importance of“learning from Japan.”Signing the exchange agreement with UT-HCMC

Josai Invites Former Prime Minister
Mahathir to Give Lecture
On January 25, Chancellor Mizuta’s delegation visited the residence ofMahathir bin Mohamad, who served as Malaysia’s Prime Minister for
25 years. As Prime Minister, Mahathir bin Mohamad worked as an
ASEAN leader to revitalize the region, instituting the Look East Policy
which looked to Japan’s economic growth as a model, and helping thenational power of Malaysia grow exponentially.
This year marks the 50th year anniversary of Josai’s founding in

Commemorative photo at the signing with HCMUTE

1965 by former finance minister Mikio Mizuta. As part of the 50th
anniversary festivities, Josai has planned the “Mikio Mizuta Global
Lecture Series,” an event aimed at the promotion of global humanresource development which invites distinguished speakers fromboth Japan and abroad who have made significant social and culturalcontributions in the late 20th century, to begin in April of 2015. As
lecture series chair, Chancellor Mizuta extended an official invitation
to Mr. Mahathir, which he accepted.
Exchange agreement signing at HUTECHAt Mr. Mahathir’s residenceWith FTU president

7No.20 2015.3.31
The delegation first traveled to Ho Chi Minh City where they visited

Tai First High School, and Ky Thuat Viat Tri High School, in addition

the Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport (UT-HCMC), Ho Chi

to the Japanese language schools Akira Language Education and theMinh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE),

Thang Long College of Technology. In some cases, the delegationand Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) before

met with upwards of 500 students, who listened to the Josai group’s

moving to Hanoi where they visited one of Vietnam’s preeminent

presentation with great interest.

institutions, Foreign Trade University (FTU).
Chancellor Mizuta, on behalf of Josai, signed academic and student
exchange agreements with each of the four universities. Membersof each university expressed their desires to host Japanese language
lecturers and students from Josai as well as to dispatch their own
students for study at JU and JIU.

Josai Visits Ambassador
Fukada and Consul
General Nakajima
During their visit, the Josai delegation also visited Japan’s consular
offices. In Ho Chi Minh City, they visited consul general Satoshi
Nakajima and in Hanoi ambassador extraordinaire and plenipotentiary
Hiroshi Fukada. Ambassador Fukada said, “The number of Vietnamesestudents studying abroad in Japan has increased rapidly, with morethan 8,000 at present. I would like to do my best to facilitate
exchange between the young people of Vietnam and Josai.” Also, in
Ho Chi Minh City, the newspaper Tuoitre, which boasts the largest
circulation in the country, conducted an interview with Chancellor
Mizuta.

Josai Visits VietnameseHigh Schools, Tuoitre Newspaper
Corporation
The Josai delegation continued the trip with visits to Vietnamesehigh schools and Japanese language schools as well as to the Tuoitre
Newspaper Corporation. In Ho Chi Minh City, the delegation visited
Ngoi Sao High School, Le Quy Don High School, and the Dong
Du Japanese Language School and in Hanoi visited six high schools,
including Viet Duc High School, Gia Binh First High School, Luong

Presentation at Gia Binh First High School

Visiting with Ambassador Fukada

Josai Hires Temporary Scholars for the Institutefor Central European Studies
D a t e: October 1, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
As the first center in Japan devoted to studying Central Europe, theJosai Institute for Central European Studies is working to further
strengthen its activity in the field since its 2013 founding and recently
hired two visiting scholars.
During Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán’s visit to Josai in
November 2013, an agreement was made to hire two visiting
Hungarian scholars for the institute to promote friendshipbetween Hungary and Japan. This is the first time that sucha temporary hire has been made by a Japanese university. The
search was performed through the Hungarian Ministry of Human
Resources on behalf of the Institute for Central European Studies.
Starting in October, these new faculties will work for six months
as both researchers and lecturers for undergraduate and graduate
courses.

From left: Dr. Gal, Zoltanne Schmidt Andrea and Dr. Prepuk Aniko8

International
ExchangeNo.20 2015.3.31
Dr. Aniko Prepuk is an associate professor in History for theinternationalization, Dr. Gal’s hire is an excellent opportunity to learn

Department of Humanities at the University of Debrecen. Debrecen,strategies for developing cooperative programs.

located in the eastern part of the country, is the second largest city

In September 2014, Josai University hired Dr. Boštjan Bertalanič, ain Hungary. Dr. Prepuk, whose study Jewish History in Russia andSlovenian scholar in International Relations, as an associate professor inCentral Europe (Sairyusha) was translated into Japanese and published

the Faculty of Contemporary Policy Studies. Dr. Boštjan Bertalanič’s

in 2004, specializes in Central European Jewish history. Her mostrecent research interests focus on Hungary’s role during the Jewish
Holocaust.
Dr. Gal, Andrea Zoltanne Schmidt is assistant professor of Humanities
for the University of Pécs and specializes in International Relations.
Located in the southwest region, the University of Pécs is Hungary’s
oldest university. As a scholar of the V4 (Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Slovakia), Dr. Gal is currently working to develop a joint
masters program in V4 literature. As a university that promotes

research focuses on UN and Japanese diplomacy, specifically on the
POWs who were taken to Japan under the Habsburg Empire during
WWI.
With these new faculty hires, the Josai Institute for Central European
Studies hopes to extend its programs even further through theplanning of international symposia, publication of an academic
journal, and recruitment of students at both the undergrad andgraduate levels.

Josai Launches Global Business Leadership Training ProgramD a t e: October 18-December 8, 2014
Place: California State University, Long Beach, USA
As part of the Faculty of Management and Information Sciences’core curriculum, Josai International University launched the
Global Business Leadership Training Program for exchange
students studying at California State University, Long Beach.
This is a special program designed for students in the Faculty ofManagement and Information Sciences to provide both language
and business training abroad, while cultivating global perspectives
and connections. This program could be opened because JIU is aninternational university.
The program began by soliciting student applications and holding
an orientation session in September 2014. Applicants then started
the process of applying for visas and interviewing at the embassy, thecompletion of which was a big step for these students who will be
studying abroad for the first time.
In the end, forty-two students were selected for the inaugural sessionof the program. The program will consist of a seven-week course,with English classes divided by skill level. Those students focusing
on business or sports will take a special course directed toward thosespecific skills. Students will also have the opportunity to experiencehands-on training at American corporations, allowing them to think
about the Japanese business world from a foreign perspective. Lastly,
to encourage students interested in becoming future global leaders, thedepartment has provided a fellowship specifically for the Faculty ofManagement and Information Sciences students.
On October 17, a ceremony was held at the Tokyo Kioicho Campus
announcing the fellowship award, which Chancellor Noriko Mizuta
presented to the four representatives of the study abroad class. After

International
Exchange

Program orientation at the Togane campus (9/26)

presenting the fellowship award, which is designed to defer thetuition costs of studying abroad at Cal State, Long Beach, to 4th year
Management and Information Sciences student, Ms. Fujimoto, therecipient spoke on behalf of the class, expressing her strong ambitions
for the future: “I’m very excited by the opportunity to study abroadin the United States both for my future career plans and to attain thenecessary skills for becoming a global leader. I plan to continue todevelop and improve my business skills through the Global College
even after the conclusion of this program.”
For more information about student experience in the Global Business
Leadership Training Program, please visit the following website:

http://csulbjiu.blogspot.jp/

Josai Kioi Club Hosts Christmas Concert from Theotokos Youth Choir
D a t e: December 2, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On December 2, 2014, the Josai University Educational Corporation(Chancellor: Noriko Mizuta) hosted a Christmas concert with the
Romanian youth choir Theotokos on the Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
The Theotokos Youth Choir consists of 37 members between the ages of 11

International
Exchangeand 18 and is affiliated with the Romanian Orthodox church located in the
town of Alba Iulia in Romania’s Transylvanian region. This was their first
visit to Japan as cultural ambassadors. This event was made possible throughthe support of the Embassy of Romania and the Japan Romania Society.

9No.20 2015.3.31
Before the concert, Radu Serban, Ambassador of Romania in Japan,
provided opening remarks, saying, “The song is an expression of theirreligious faith. And their voices recall the voices of angels.” The choir
performed roughly twenty songs in all, including Romanian Christmas
carols, international Christmas songs, and Japanese folk songs such as“Akatombo” and “Hana wa saku,” sung in a sublime harmony. Morethan 160 audience members crammed into the performance hall,
including Josai University President Yasunori Morimoto, membersof the Japan Romania Society, local residents, and extension students,
giving resounding applause after each song.
At the reception that followed the concert, Japan Romania Society
Chancellor Akiko Igaya said, “I would like to thank Chancellor Mizuta
and everyone at Josai for making this splendid opportunity possible.
It’s my hope that some of the children who sang for you today will
become future exchange students at Josai.”Ambassador Serban provides opening remarks

Josai Holds Opening Ceremony for Eva Vargö Exhibition:
Fibers & Fragments—Selected Works 1998-2014

International
Exchange

D a t e: February 17, 2015
Place: Mizuta Museum of Art, Josai University
On February 17, 2015, Josai held an opening ceremony for theexhibit “Fibers & Fragments Eva Vargö Selected works 1998 2014.” During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Chancellor Noriko
Mizuta gave a few words. “We are overjoyed to present the Eva
Vargö exhibit at the Mizuta Museum of Art. Please enjoy theseworks of art and all the feeling that was poured into their creation,”
she said. The artist herself also gave a few words. “I am very gratefulto the Mizuta Museum of Art for putting on this exhibition. I hopethat everyone who comes to see it will greatly enjoy the display,”
Ms. Vargö said.
The Vargö exhibit runs until March 14 (Saturday). The exhibit
spans work from 1998 to 2014, including a piece that uses a bookof Japanese folk songs. We hope that you will enjoy the world of Eva
Vargö’s artwork, whose twisting lines and torn fragments disclose newforms and meanings to the viewer.

Chancellor Mizuta, Eva Vargö, and others perform the ribbon cutting

Mykolas Romeris University’s Vice President Inga Žalėnienė visited JIU
D a t e: March 31 and April 2, 2015
Place: Josai International University, Togane campus
On March 31, 2015, Mykolas Romeris University’s Vice President
Inga Žalėnienė (Republic of Lithuania), came to Josai International
University to discuss plans to promote international exchanges andattend the student entrance ceremony on April 2.
Josai International University signed an exchange agreement with
Mykolas Romeris University in December 2012. Our university, alongwith other universities in eight countries from Asia and Europe, isparticipating in the ‘Knowledge Consortium Social Technologies for
Smart and Inclusive Society’ (SOCTECH) which seeks to develop
a society in which each individual can live safely and comfortably
through technological innovation.
The aim of Inga Žalėnienė’s visit was to develop exchange programs
centered on students and faculty members. During her stay, she also
had the opportunity to meet faculty staff and discuss opportunities.

International
Exchange

Mykolas Romeris University’s vice president Inga Žalėnienė congratulating students at JIU’s
student entrance ceremony

10No.20 2015.3.31
On April 2, she gave a congratulatory speech, encouraging students

students who can contribute to our global society.”in their academic study: “the globalization of higher education is a

From now on, one can expect our universities to reinforce theirsplendid opportunity for every student to enlarge his or her views andcooperation.

grow up through new experiences. Using this chance, I wish to nurture

Talks and Symposia
Josai Hosts Tripartite Talk “Modern Poetry Event II: The Sound thatSoaks the Earth—Looking Back on a Century of Women and Poetry”

Talks
and
Symposia

D a t e: November 7, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On November 7, 2014, the Josai University Educational Corporation
hosted the tripartite talk “Modern Poetry Event II: The Sound thatSoaks the Earth” with the theme “Looking Back on a Century of
Women and Poetry” at the Tokyo Kioicho Campus. The talk was heldby three renowned female poets—Ms. Moon Chung-hee from Korea,
Ms. Hiromi Ito, and Ms. Noriko Mizuta—who discussed issues ofpregnancy, childbirth, and life abroad, among other topics.

by saying, “It’s very interesting to consider generational difference interms of female expression. When I listen to the words of the twoof you, they are both refreshing and devastating.” The three thenproceeded with discussion of childbirth, motherhood, patriarchy, life
abroad, and other topics. Nearly 170 people were in attendance,
including poets, university faculty, and students, and listened withgreat interest to the discussion, posing provocative questions during
the Q&A.
During the free conversation portion, Mr. Mutsuo Takahashi dove into
the discussion, eliciting much excitement from the audience.
After the talk, a friendly reception was held, joining participants andaudience members, during which the three panel members also gave
readings of their work.

This event was a continuation of the International Symposium
Commemorating Winners of the Cikada Prize held at Josai on June
7, 2014. The Cikada Prize is awarded by the Swedish government
to exceptional Asian poets who are able to express the majesty of life
through their work. December, 2013, Ms. Mizuta, a poet and scholar
in comparative literature, was the third Japanese and sixth overall
to receive the Cikada Prize. The June symposium was organized tocommemorate this award, with Ms. Moon, recipient of the 5th Cikada
Prize, appearing as one of the panelists and promising to appear again
alongside Chancellor Mizuta at this event. With Ms. Moon and Ms.
Mizuta, two leaders of the women’s poetry boom in the 1980s, and Ms.
Hiromi Ito, whose work revolutionizes notions of female poetry, thepanel was very well rounded.
The talk opened with each poet discussing their first encounters withpoetry. Ms. Ito said that, “I first experienced the emotional power of
poetry when I was afflicted with an eating disorder at 18. I learned thatmy poetry was not oriented toward society, but toward my own body.”
Ms. Moon then related her own experience by saying, “When I firstmarried, I was haunted by the specter of tradition. I discovered thatwriting cute verse just wasn’t enough for me.” Ms. Mizuta followed

From left: Hiromi Ito, Moon Chung-hee, and Noriko Mizuta

Josai Hosts Joint Symposium with Uppsala University
as Part of 50 th Anniversary

Talks
and
Symposia

D a t e: March 30, 2015
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On March 30, 2015, Josai hosted a joint symposium with
Sweden’s Uppsala University, “Women’s Studies and Literatures
in Sweden and Japan,” as part of the 50th anniversary of their

Taking gender as its topic, the symposium also featured
contributions from Slovenian ambassador to Japan, Helena
Drnovsek Zorko, and drew an audience of about 160, including
faculty and students—both domestic and international—from
Josai University and Josai International University (both of which
offer courses in women’s studies), visiting scholars, and membersof the Japan-Sweden Association (for which Chancellor Mizuta
serves as President).

founding in the 1st building`s underground hall on the Tokyo
Kioicho Campus. The panelists for the symposium consisted offour members from Josai, led by poet and scholar of comparative
literature, Chancellor Mizuta, and four members from Uppsala
University, led by Department of Literature chair, Ann Öhrberg.

11No.20 2015.3.31

Discussion with all panel members

Enjoying Japanese tea during intermission

Uppsala University was founded in 1477 and is the oldest university
in Northern Europe. Uppsala is one of the most influential European
institutions in higher learning and research, boasting fifteen affiliates(either faculty or alumni) who have received the Nobel Prize. Uppsalais also known as the university where the father of botany, Carl von
Linné, pursued his studies. This joint symposium was made possible
by former Swedish ambassador to Japan and Uppsala graduate Lars

Sweden’s position as a forerunner in gender studies. The session closedwith a panel discussion with all the participants. In closing, ProfessorÖhrberg offered her opinion stating, “Sweden is often declared theforerunner in gender studies, but we cannot become complacent withthis idea. We must continue to progress.” She also expressed her
gratitude for the event saying, “With today’s symposium I learned somuch about Japanese literature and culture, as well as Josai University.”

Vargö (currently working as special lecturer for Josai following his
retirement from the embassy) who introduced Josai to his alma mater.
Josai paid a visit to Uppsala in October 2014, during which the joint
symposium was planned.
Chancellor Mizuta provided opening remarks at the symposium,
saying, “The greatest honor for me was to be able to meet all of you
as soon as I did. It’s my hope that this event will serve as a pointof departure for future communication between Sweden and Japan.”The symposium was divided into two sessions, with Mr. Vargö also
participating, featuring discussion and debate on the state of women’sliterature and expression in both Sweden and Japan as well as regarding

In conjunction with the symposium, an “Ukiyo-e Special Exhibition”
was held in the 1st floor gallery featuring pieces from the art
museum collection. The Faculty of Social Work Studies also put
up a display about their activities, which the Uppsala University
delegation and other visitors browsed with great interest. During
intermission, participants were treated to Japanese tea made by Josai’s
tea ceremony club and the symposium was followed by a reception,
giving participants a chance to engage in casual conversation. With
this joint symposium, one can expect even more programs of exchange
and joint research projects with Uppsala and other Swedish universities
in the near future.

Professor Marie Söderberg Gives Lecture Entitled,“Economic Relationship between Japan and Europe”

Talks
and
Symposia

D a t e: October 28, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On October 28, 2014, in the International Conference Room in the
3rd Building of Tokyo Kioicho Campus, Josai University Educational

discussed the work of the European Institute of Japanese Studies in the
EU and recent Japanese economic developments. Both sides plan tomaintain and strengthen their relationship in the future.

Corporation facilitated a lecture entitled “Economic Relationshipbetween Japan and Europe”, by Professor Marie Söderberg ofStockholm School of Economics. Stockholm School of Economics
has a long history and was established in 1909. It is internationally
famous as a research institute and is able to exert a significant degreeof influence on the Noble Prize for Economics. Professor Söderberg’s
research is on Japan in Asia, the relationship between Japan and
China, the relationship between Japan and Korea, and the Japan-EU
relationship. A special field of her research is Japan’s Development
Assistance. She also serves as the Director of European Institute ofJapanese Studies, which is an important hub for Japanese studies in
Sweden.
A delegation from Josai University Educational Corporation visited
Professor Söderberg at Stockholm School of Economics during a
study trip to Sweden between October 5 -11, 2014. The two parties

Prof. Marie Söderberg gives her lecture12No.20 2015.3.31
In her lecture, Professor Söderberg analyzed the multipolar relationshipJosai University and Josai International University, together, have three

between the EU, Sweden and Japan on the basis of her own data. She also

departments of economics and management. Students and faculty

outlined the main features of Japan’s overseas development work. Some

members in these departments will now be encouraged to take part

100 students and faculty from Josai University and Josai Internationalin academic exchanges between Josai University, Josai International

University listened to her lecture with great interest and participation.

University and Stockholm School of Economics.

Josai Hosts Special Cooperative Lecture with Sweden, “From NonIssue to Global Summit—Stopping Commercial Sexual Exploitationof Children: International Response and Future Challenges”

Talks
and
Symposia

D a t e: November 28, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On November 28, 2014, Josai invited Chancellor Kaj Reinius of theSweden-Japan Friendship Association to give a keynote lecture in the
3rd building international conference room of Josai’s Tokyo KioichoCampus. More than 80 participants (including 3rd and 4th year
students from the Faculty of Social Work Studies, graduate students,
faculty and staff) came together for this important event to study anddiscuss this serious international social issue.
Kaj Reinius has, since 1990, been a vocal leader in the movement toeradicate the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) andyouth human rights violations, an issue that has not been brought tothe forefront until recently. Mr. Reinius spoke passionately about his
experiences as an activist in the field and about the contribution eachnation made to organize a global summit. He also spoke about thecurrent state of the sexual exploitation of children.
Mr. Reinius also discussed the work of the ECPAT (End Child
Prostitution in Asian Tourism) campaign, while observing that, todate, only 52 countries worldwide have developed concrete policies
to combat CSEC. He argued that the problem has only worsened
with the growth of Internet, poverty, and regional conflict and pointed
to the necessity for multidisciplinary universities with departments intourism, environmental studies, media studies, and other fields to raise

Mr. Reinius during his keynote lecturesocial awareness and address this issue from both a legal and academic
perspective.
The reception that followed featured a lively discussion between Mr.
Reinius and student participants who expressed their great interest in
the subject providing such feedback as, “This talk really heightened
my awareness of the human rights violations of children which ishappening internationally,” and “The issue of child welfare is one thatpeople of every country need to consider.”Josai Hosts Lecture by Kojin Karatani “Mountain People and Mountain
Witches (Yamabito and Yamamba)” as Part of 50th Anniversary

Talks
and
Symposia

D a t e: December 10, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On December 10, 2014, the Josai University Educational Corporation(Noriko Mizuta, Chancellor) hosted a lecture by philosopher and critic
Kojin Karatani entitled “Mountain People and Mountain Witches(Yamabito and Yamamba)” at the Tokyo Kioicho Campus auditorium.
The event was organized as part of the 50th anniversary of Josai

by Mr. Karatani is extremely rare, but with a personal invitation from
Chancellor Mizuta—with whom Mr. Karatani is acquainted throughpast literary discussions on gender and expression—this special lecture
could be organized.

University Educational Corporation’s foundation, which happens nextyear, and was sponsored by the Center for Inter-Cultural Studies andcosponsored by Josai International University’s Institute for Genderand Women’s Studies.
Mr. Karatani began his career as a literary critic. He also wrote on
the work of such thinkers as Karl Marx and Immanuel Kant, before
developing his own theoretical frame of thought. In January 2014,
Mr. Karatani published his most recent volume Theory of Nomads:
Kunio Yanagita and Mountain People (Chikuma Publishing) whichanalyzes the work of Kunio Yanagita and his movement from“mountain people” to “settled people.” A public speaking appearance

Mr. Karatani during his lecture13No.20 2015.3.31
Citing Zeami’s Mountain Witch and Ms. Akiko Baba’s Demon Studies

The lecture was followed by a friendly reception in Mr. Karatani’s(Chikuma Publishing), Mr. Karatani presented his theories on thishonor. Poet and JIU faculty member, Yoshimasu Gozo, who is a goodparticular subject. “Unlike the mountainfolk or the lowland folk, thefriend of Mr. Karatani, raised his glass in the guest’s honor, saying,

mountain people have no interest in permanent settlement. According“Today’s lecture was both revolutionary and compelling, on a subject

to Yanagita, their existence is akin to that of a tengu (mountain spirit).

matter that I never grow tired of. That Josai could host such a great

The mountain witch too is distinct from the field woman or thevillage woman in that she is a mountain person, as I learned fromthe theories of Ms. Mizuta,” he said. Elsewhere Karatani said, “Themountain witch has no resistance to sexual difference; it is an existencethat transcends gender.” Faculty, students, and campus visitors who
filled the near-capacity auditorium listened with great interest to Mr.
Karatani’s compelling theories.

lecture by such an amazing thinker, brings me great joy.”
In addition, the volume of joint dialogues Mizuta Noriko Dialogues
and Symposia Collection 1: Patriarchy and Gender (Ed. Noriko Mizuta,
Josai University Educational Corporation University Press, 2014) thatfeature Mr. Karatani, Chancellor Mizuta, and others was published by
Josai last February.

A special lecture to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of
Josai University, delivered by Professor Seiichi Makino titled “Opening
a new door in Japanese language teaching: rebuilding Japanese
language education according to uchi and soto linguistic culture”

Talks
and
Symposia

D a t e: February 23, 2015
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
As part of the Josai University 50th anniversary celebrations, Josai
International University`s specially appointed, Professor Seiichi
Makino, was invited by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta to deliver a lecture
on Japanese language education with a focus on uchi and soto linguistic
culture. The lecture took place in the underground hall of the 1storganized to help improve our Japanese language education program.
In the lecture, Professor Makino exposed his rich achievements andpeculiar point of view gained over many years spent in the UnitedStates. He also gave suggestions for a renewal of Japanese language
education.

building, Tokyo Kioicho Campus, and was attended by JIU faculty
staff and more than 160 students.
Professor Makino taught for a long time Japanese language, Japanese
linguistics and Japanese culture, at the University of Illinois as wellas Princeton University. He has thus made a great contribution to
the growth of Japanese language education. Since 2014 he has beenteaching in JIU’s Global College program and graduate level doctoral
programs in the Faculty of International Humanities’ Comparative
Culture Studies Department.
Many exchange students at Josai International University are learning
Japanese. Our teaching faculty members come from many different
horizons, reflecting our diversified student body and our staff are able
to work in close cooperation with our partner universities abroad tohelp develop new ways of teaching Japanese. This special event was

A view of Prof. Makino’s special lecture

Josai Hosts Special Lecture by Yoshiaki Shimizu on“The Works of Jakuchū Itō and Hongaku Thought in Buddhism”

Talks
and
Symposia

D a t e: February 24, 2015
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On February 24, 2015, as part of their 50th anniversary festivities,
the Josai University Educational Corporation hosted a special
lecture by Yoshiaki Shimizu on “The Works of Jakuchū Itō andHongaku Thought in Buddhism” in the 3rd building of the Tokyo

shop was located in the Nishiki district of Kyoto. Jakuchū ran the
shop until age 40 when he turned it over to one of his younger
brothers to pursue a career in painting. By incorporating elementsof the Kōrin School of ornamental painting, Jakuchū developed his
own unique approach to art. For his numerous paintings containing
realistic depictions of plants and animals, Jakuchū became known as
the “uncanny artist.” “Hongaku thought” is often translated as “innate
enlightenment” and is based on the idea that all sentient beings are
already enlightened a notion that proliferated as a central dogma of
Tendai Buddhism.

Kioicho Campus. Mr. Shimizu, Professor Emeritus of Art andArcheology at Princeton University and the foremost scholar inJapanese art history, gave a talk on the art of Jakuchū Itō, who
was active during the mid-Edo period, analyzing his work from areligious perspective.
Jakuchū Itō (1716-1800) was born the eldest son of a grocer whose14

No.20 2015.3.31
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta provided opening remarks at the lecturethat was held in Josai’s International Conference Room. “It is a greathonor to introduce this special lecture by Mr. Shimizu to commemorate
Josai’s 50th anniversary, “ she said. Prof. Emeritus Shimizu showed
many slides of Jakuchū’s work alongside paintings of the Buddha
achieving enlightenment to demonstrate the “incorporation ofreligious connotations in the artistic work of Jakuchū. This is oneof the great merits of Jakuchū’s paintings, thereby linking them with
Hongaku thought.”
More than one hundred attendees, including Josai University and Josai
International University faculty and extension students, listened withgreat attention to Prof. Shimizu’s fascinating lecture.

Prof. Shimizu explains Jakuchū’s work

Josai Hosts Guest Lecture “Haiku in the World” by Lars Vargö
as Part of 50th Anniversary

Talks
and
Symposia

D a t e: March 3, 2015
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On March 27, 2015, Josai University Educational Corporation(Noriko Mizuta, Chancellor) hosted a guest lecture entitled “Haiku in
the World” by former Swedish ambassador to Japan, Lars Vargö, which
was held in the 3rd building of Josai’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
Mr. Vargö graduated from Sweden’s Uppsala University with a degree in AsianStudies. During his work at the Swedish embassy in Japan, he studied Japanese
history at Kyoto University’s Faculty of Letterst. He went on to receive his
PhD in Japanese ancient history from the University of Stockholm. After
working as Swedish ambassador to Korea, Mr. Vargö served as Swedish
ambassador to Japan from 2011 to 2014, receiving the Grand Cordon of
the Order of the Rising Sun in 2014. Mr. Vargö has published numerous
translations and collections of haiku and has worked as a speciallyappointed professor at Josai since his retirement from the Swedish embassy.
Chancellor Mizuta, who has served as president of the Japan-Sweden
Association since 2014, provided opening remarks, introducing Mr.
Vargö as “someone who has spread Japanese and East Asian culture
to the world.” Mr. Vargö, giving his lecture in Japanese, gave several
examples of how—as exemplified by English writer and scholar ofJapanese culture Reginald Horace Blyth (1898-1964)—multiple
Western writers were introduced to Japanese poetic forms such as
haiku and senryu and stated that, “one can sense the influence of haiku
even in Western poetic works.” He also gave several examples of haiku
composed by Western writers and children. Mr. Vargö stated, “Haiku
is often taught in Western schools, and through the verse of children
one can really feel the spirit and humor of haikai.”Mr. Lars Vargö giving his lecture

More than one hundred people attended the lecture including Josai
University and Josai International University faculty, members ofthe Haiku International Association, and extension students. All
participants listened with great interest as Mr. Vargö gave his lecture.
In December 2013, Chancellor Mizuta had the great honor to receive
the Cikada Prize from the Swedish government, a prize awarded topoets who are able to express the majesty of life in East Asia throughpoetry. To commemorate this award, an international symposium
entitled “Expressing the inviolability of Life,” in which Mr. Vargö and
Haiku International Association President Akito Arima participated,
was held in June 2014. The material from this symposium was
published by Josai University Educational Corporation University
Press as International Symposium Commemorating Winning of the
Cikada Prize: Giving World to the Inviolability of Life in January 2015.

Josai Hosts the Second V4 Plus Japan Student Conference
D a t e: February 10, 2015
Place: Josai University Education Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On February 10, 2015, Josai hosted the Second V4 Plus Japan Student
Conference in the International Conference Room in the 3rd Buildingof the Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
Following Chancellor Noriko Mizuta’s opening speech, Slovakian
Ambassador to Japan Mr. Michal Kottman gave a speech as thechair of the Visegrad Group (V4). This conference was attended
by Ambassador Viorel Isticioaia-Budura of the Delegation of the

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and
Symposia

European Commission to Japan, Czech Ambassador to Japan Tomas
Dub, Hungarian Ambassador to Japan István Szerdahelyi, Slovenian
Ambassador to Japan Helena Drnovsek Zorko, Director of Polish
Institute Tokyo Ms. Miroslaw Blaszczak. In addition, approximately
100 of Josai students, V4 university students, exchange students,
members of the industry, and other attendees participated in thisconference.

15

No.20 2015.3.31

Speech from Ambassador Kottman

Lively Q&A session

This year, Josai invited 6 students from our sister universities in
Visegrad Group, Masaryk University (Czech Republic), Eötvös
Loránd University (Hungary), Warsaw School of Economics(Poland), Comenius University in Bratislava (Slovakia). As a whole,“Multicultural Coexistence in the Globalization Era” was set up as
universal theme for any regions or countries. The conference wasdivided into three sessions, (1. Economic Implications of Regional
Integration: Contrasting Responses to Increased Contacts andExchanges. 2. Individual and Group in an Era of Cross-Border
Migration. 3. The Challenge of Globalization to National Identity).
This conference was the only event happening outside of the V4
countries that was recognized as promoting international relations andsolving environmental issues by the International Visegrad Fund (IVF).
Thus the IFV, which is administered by the V4 countries and which

headquarter is located in Bratislava accepted Josai’s demand for subsidies.
Student participated in the conference, through learning anddiscussing about the actual conditions and current issues in V4, andby developing their thinking on Japan’s present situation and future
perspective regarding the establishment of a multicultural community.
Session1
Session2
Session3

Economic Implications of Regional Integration:
Contrasting Responses to Increased Contacts andExchanges
Individual and Group in an Era of Cross-Border Migration

The Challenge of Globalization to National Identity

Josai hosts a V4+Japan technology seminar
D a t e: March 11, 2015
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus

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Symposia

On March 11, 2015, Josai hosted a V4+Japan technology seminarcosponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and V4
countries in the underground hall of our Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
In order to promote friendship and international cooperation, four
countries from central Europe (Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland
and Slovakia) created the Visegrád Group, an entity which is also
commonly referred to as the Visegrád four (V4). In Japan, the Ministryof Foreign Affairs organizes seminars between Japan and the V4
countries (V4+Japan) covering topics such as economy, environment,
development cooperation and energy efficiency.

Since one of Josai’s Mid-term Targets is the reinforcement ofinternational exchanges to nurture globalized human resources, ouruniversity is actively developing exchanges with various university
across the globe, especially in the central European area.
It is the third time this year that Josai cosponsors a V4+Japan seminar,
but this time, to honor Slovakia’s request, the theme was set on
technology. During the third session, Professor Sugibayashi (whois Vice-President of Josai University) gave a lecture entitled: Global
Communication and Collaboration in Pharmaceutical Education andSciences.

Vice-President Sugibayashi presenting as a panelist

Picture of the panelists

16No.20 2015.3.31
About 150 people listened to the presentations including members

Science, members from the Japan Science and Technology Agency, Josai

from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors from the V4

affiliates, students as well as industrials who support our university’scountries, members from the Japan Society for the Promotion ofefforts to promote globalized education.

Campus Information
Josai Breaks Ground on Future Siteof International Student Dormitory “Awa Global Village”

CampusInformation

D a t e: December 1, 2014
Place: Josai International University, International Student Dormitory “Awa Global Village”
On December 1, 2014, Josai International University held agroundbreaking ceremony on the site of the new international student
dormitory, Awa Global Village (henceforth, AGV).
AGV will mainly house international students, with a capacity ofroughly 100 residents. An inner garden enclosed by the wings of thebuilding will be the dormitory’s special feature. The dormitory will
also include meeting spaces designed to facilitate interactions between
students and members of the local community. The building isscheduled for completion by July 2015. Once completed, preparations
will be made to enable international students to move in by the start of
the fall semester in September.
With the construction of the AGV, Josai hopes to foster humanresources in the field of tourism that possess a global worldview, while
encouraging greater interaction with members of the local community.

Groundbreaking of the Awa Global Village

Josai Opens Tokyo Kioicho Campus’s 5th Building
D a t e: February 12, 2015
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
The Josai University Educational Corporation, as part of the 50th
anniversary of its founding, just opened the newly completed 5thCampusInformation

examination and job placement activities. I believe that our new 5thbuilding will be of great use for these sorts of events, in addition to ahome base for alumni activities.”
Fumio Suzuki, president of the Josai Alumni Association, also gave
a few words. “It is here, in what might be called the heart of Japan,that we hope to dispatch and receive information about Josai alumni.
By making this building our office and home base, we would like tosupport the development of Josai University,” he said.
The 5th building consists of one below ground and five above groundbuilding of the Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
On February 12, 2015, members of Josai faculty, board of directors,
and alumni assembled for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta gave opening remarks, saying, “It is thanks
to all of your great efforts that so many undergraduate and graduate
students flock to our campus to study. We have many symposia andother events scheduled here as part of our university’s 50th anniversary
festivities. We also have numerous events planned around the entrance

floors with a total area of 1,400 square meters. The first floor houses
the enrollment and public relations office and the parental support andalumni office. The 2nd through 4th floors will house a mini theater,
seminar rooms, and study rooms. The 5th floor will consist of guest
rooms for mid and long-term visitors from our sister institutions abroad.
The Tokyo Kioicho Campus was first opened in 2005. Other Josai
University campuses include the Josai Junior College campus in Sakado
and the Josai International University campuses in Togane and Awa.
The Tokyo Kioicho Campus has many facilities to support student
learning and job placement such as the Josai International Center for
the Promotion of Arts and Sciences and the International Conference
Room which function as a place for research and international
exchange. At present there are approximately 2,000 undergraduate
and graduate students enrolled at Josai.

The ribbon cutting ceremony

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Honorary Award
Chancellor Mizuta Receives
Honor from Japan Chamber ofCommerce and Industry● Access Map

HonoraryAward

D a t e: February 10, 2015
On February 10, 2015, Chancellor Noriko Mizuta received an honor fromthe Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This honor was given torecognize Josai International University’s broad range of contributions to
the accounting and finance fields and their support of the Japan Chamberof Commerce and Industry, including their work in organizing the 1st-10thHigh School Accounting Competitions and their advanced studies of theInternational Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which the Japaneseindustry hopes to incorporate into their system in the near future.
To pay homage to Josai International University’s consistent excellence offoresight and corresponding educational ideals, from their founding to
the present day, and to thank Chancellor Mizuta for her leadership, the
JCCI chose to award her this honor.
With this award, Josai intends to make even more contributions to thefield while continuing to cultivate student abilities.
“What is the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry?”
The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an organization
created by and for the people working in the commercial and industrial
fields with deep historical roots tracing back to Marseille, France in 1599
when the first such organization was formed. At present, as stipulated
by JCCI law, there are 514 local CCI offices and more than 1.26 million
members across Japan. The JCCI represents the local chambers by
presenting their suggestions to the government and other bodies andhelping to implement them. And while JCCI’s undertakings span a wide
range from individual policy proposals and the strengthening of small
and mid-range businesses to the revitalization of local communities,
its primary goal is to foster human resources, which it does through its
qualifying examination and other programs.

Chancellor Mizuta displays her award from the JCCI

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