No.18 2014.3.31

国際学術文化振興センター

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

No.18（2014.3.31）

International Exchange
Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán Visits Josai
D a t e: November 21, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho CampusInternational
Exchange

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 first academic exchange agreement with a Hungarian institution
was formed in 2007 with the Budapest Business School and hassince expanded to nine 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 Hungarian exchange 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’sdelegation 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

Prime Minister Orbán and Chancellor Mizuta shake hands

Prime Minister Orbán receives his honorary doctoral degree1No.18 2014.3.31

Prime Minister Orbán delivers his lecture

Prime Minister Orbán interacts with students

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 theprosperity that Hungary enjoys today. Prime Minister Orbán wasborn in 1963 and graduated from Eötvös Loránd University, oneof the Hungarian institutions with which Josai enjoys a program ofacademic exchange, in 1987. Following the formation of the Allianceof Young Democrats, Prime Minister Orbán has worked tirelessly forthe promotion of liberty and democracy in Hungary. In the 1990
national elections, which marked the beginning of the demise of theCommunist regime, Orbán retained his seat in Parliament and hassince played a pivotal role as a guiding leader of the 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 yearsof 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,
the Czech Republic, and Canada, to name a few. Students who could
not make it into the capacity-filled auditorium were able to listen toa 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
with students who could not make it into the auditorium as well aswith exchange students and other attendees. During this time, students
who have studied Hungarian at Josai greeted the Prime Ministerand 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.

Josai Announces Foundation of the Josai Institute for Central European Studies
D a t e: November 21, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
Based on Josai’s academic achievements in the study of Central Europe, Josai has announced the establishment of the Josai
Institute for Central European Studies to promote joint research, academic exchange, human resource development, andundergraduate and graduate education in this same region.
This institute, which will be located on the Tokyo Kioicho Campus and serve all schools in the Josai group, will be focused on
the advancement of international education and alliance with nations in the so-called Visegrád Group (V4)−the Czech Republic,
Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary (with whom Josai formed the first academic exchange in 2007)−as well as surrounding Central
European nations. To further establish their importance and public presence, the institute will designate ambassadors from eachof the V4−the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia−as honorary directors.
The announcement of the institute’s founding was made on November 21, 2013, to correspond with Hungarian Prime Minister
Viktor Orbán’s visit to Josai’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus. This announcement was made in the basement auditorium following Prime
Minister Orbán’s lecture, an event for which Ambassador Szerdahelyi was also in attendance. To commemorate the institute’s
founding, Prime Minister Orbán donated a great number of scholarly texts on Hungarian culture and other matters.

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No.18 2014.3.31

Chancellor Mizuta Receives Medal of Honor from Hungary
D a t e: November 21, 2013
Place: Hungarian Embassy 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

International
Exchangegovernment in May 2011. This award honors foreigners who havemade vital contributions in promoting Hungarian culture andfacilitated cultural exchange abroad.

Chancellor Mizuta receives Medal of Honor from the Hungarian Prime Minister

Josai Co-hosts the Visegrad Plus Japan Security Seminar and
V4+Japan Student Conference

International
Exchange

D a t e: February 4, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus

A glimpse of the V4+Japan Security Seminar

A glimpse of the V4+Japan Student Conference

On February 4, 2014, Josai co-hosted the Visegrad Plus Japan Security
Seminar with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the V4 Consulate ofJapan and hosted the V4+Japan Student Conference on February 5.

the V4) in February 2013.
In the interest of promoting exchange between Japan and the V4, the year
2014 has been declared the year of V4+Japan exchange, with a variety ofcommemorative events being held in both Japan and the nations of the V4.
Following last year’s seminar, the V4+Japan Security Seminar was held by Japan’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the V4 chair country of Hungary as well as the otherV4 nations and Josai, which facilitates academic exchange among V4 nations.
The seminar, which was held in Josai’s basement auditorium, was attended
by members of the Japanese government, V4 ambassadors, diplomatic corps
from 25 different foreign embassies, Josai students and faculty, businesspeople, and industry supporters of Josai’s global education−around 170 in all.
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, speaking at the seminar’s opening, stated, “It isa great honor for Josai to host the V4+Japan seminar once again this year.
With the 21st century being the age of global education, our universities
are working to contribute to the development of Japan-V4 relations aswell as global professionalization by hosting seminars and conferences
like this one.” Minister of Foreign Affairs Takao Makino followed witha keynote speech on behalf of the Japanese government. He said, “WithV4 Plus Japan Security Seminar
The Visegrad Group (V4)−comprised of the Central European
nations of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia−isan organization formed to promote amnesty and cooperation among
nations. The V4+Japan in turn facilitates dialogue and cooperation
between Japan and the V4 nations and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has organized many seminars on such topics as economics,
environment, joint development, and energy efficiency.
In addition, as part of Josai’s Mid-term Target of strengthening
international exchange to cultivate global human resources, ouruniversity has formed academic exchange agreements with a number of
institutions worldwide, particularly those located in and around the V4.
As a part of this project, Josai hosted the V4+Japan Eastern Partnership
Seminar (again cosponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and3

No.18 2014.3.31

Chancellor Mizuta provides opening remarks

Keynote speech from Ambassador Szerdahelyi

Keynote speech from Minister of Foreign Affairs Takao Makino

Hungarian language course with courses in Polish and Czech added in
April 2013, to even further fulfill Josai’s global education curriculum.
Finally, on November 2013, Josai established the Josai Institutefor Central European Studies, a facility devoted to documenting
educational achievements in the Central European region andsupporting joint research, academic exchange, and professionalization
at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

V4+Japan Student Conference

the advancement of globalization and drastic shifts in the balance of world
power bringing increased threats that transcend national borders, countries
are no longer able to resolve these issues and protect the peace and securityof their nation in isolation. This is why cooperation between Japan and theV4−two groups with common values−is so vital.”
Following the keynote speech, the seminar was divided into three sessions(1. Security Environment surrounding East Asia and Japan’s diplomaticchallenges, 2. Security Environment surrounding Europe and V4’s diplomaticchallenges, and 3. Interlinking the Security Environment of East Asia andCentral Europe, and common diplomatic challenges for V4 and Japan)that addressed issues of marine security, cyberspace, and missile defense.
The seminar was then concluded with a closing speech from Josai
International University President Hakuo Yanagisawa.
This seminar proved to be an extremely valuable opportunity to enhance theglobal perspectives of students and other participants, all of whom listenedwith great attention to the various presentations and ensuing discussion.
At present, Josai has advanced their international exchange program byforming academic exchange agreements with 17 different universities in theV4 (9 in Hungary, 4 in Poland, 3 in the Czech Republic, and 1 in Slovakia)
and are currently hosting 30 exchange students (at either Josai University
or JIU) from these countries. In addition, over 200 students from Josai
have studied abroad at the aforementioned universities. Since the program’s
start in 2008, a total of 4,000 JU and JIU students have enrolled in the

The V4+Japan Student Conference was held the following day of
February 5 at the 5th floor International Conference Room located inTokyo Kioicho Campus’ 3rd building.
This conference was planned by Josai in conjunction with theprevious day’s V4+Japan Security Seminar and was recognized by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an official function commemorating
the year of V4+Japan exchange. With the goal of facilitating mutual
understanding and strengthening solidarity between Japan and theV4, this conference featured panelists that are either young scholars or
students from Josai or affiliated V4 universities.
This conference was also the first Japanese event to receive assistancefrom the International Visegrad Fund−an organization devoted to thepromotion of V4 art, scholarship, education, and tourism−as well as
the first event coordinated by the aforementioned Josai Institute forCentral European Studies.
Approximately 100 consulate members, representatives from the Ministryof Foreign Affairs, Josai students, V4 university students, exchange students,
members of industry, and other attendees participated in this conference.
The conference, emceed by Josai Institute for Central European
Studies Deputy Director Nobuhiro Shiba, was conducted entirely inEnglish with remarks from Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, Hungarian
Ambassador to Japan Szerdahelyi István, and Slovakian Ambassador
to Japan Michal Kottman. The keynote lecture−on the topic of V4
progress to this point−was given by Department of Analysis andPolicy Planning, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the
Slovak Republic, Deputy Director Jozef Polakovič.

Ambassador Kottman addresses the audience

A Josai student gives their presentation during Session 2

A look at one of the seminar sessions in progress

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No.18 2014.3.31

Session 1

Regional Disparities in Slovakia and Japan; andPossible Approaches to Their Mitigation

Session 2

V4 Plus Japan Exchange Year: Methods ofDeepening Understanding Between Countries

Session 3

Euro and Its Implications for V4 Countries

Session 4

Tokyo 2020: How Can Sport Bring Nations andOrganizations Closer?

After breaking for lunch, the conference was divided into four separate
sessions (see above), with V4 and Josai student panelists presenting
extremely compelling papers on their respective topics followed bylively student-led discussions and Q&A.
The conference was not only limited to the venue itself, but was
broadcast live in both JU and JIU classrooms, with students from bothschools listening with great interest.
The post-conference reception likewise proved a great opportunity fordiscussion and debate among conference participants and attendees,
thereby further contributing to the cause of international exchange.
Student participants in the conference, in addition to recognizing regionaland cultural differences between Japan and V4 nations, were able todeepen mutual understanding through productive discussion, making
this event a valuable discussion for these prospective global professionals
aiming to make contributions to both national and global development.

A panelist from University of Economics, Prague gives a presentation during Session 3

The lively Q&A

Swedish Ambassador Visits Josai, Gives Guest Lecture
D a t e: December 17, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho CampusInternational
Exchange

On December 17, 2013, His Excellency Ambassador Lars Vargö of the
Embassy of Sweden in Japan visited Tokyo Kioicho Campus and gavea special lecture that was open to the public.
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 as well asan active program of exchange with Sweden facilitated by the Embassyof Sweden. Activities have included, most recently, a tree planting
ceremony at Josai International University in October 2012 to honor theaccomplishments of Swedish businessman Raoul Wallenberg who saved
more than 10,000 Jews from the Nazi holocaust during World War II.
In addition, Chancellor Noriko Mizuta was awarded Sweden’s Cikada
Prize−an award that recognizes poets who are able to capture the majestyof life in East Asia−for her outstanding work in poetry at a ceremonythat took place on December 9, 2013, at the Embassy of Sweden.
Having also delivered a lecture for the Executive Program, “The New
Global Society and the Future of Japan,” in JIU’s Graduate School ofInternational Administration in July 2012, this special public lecture
marks Ambassador Vargö’s second visit to Josai.
Chancellor Mizuta gave a brief introduction before the lecture, saying,“While Sweden is widely known for the Nobel Prize, it is also home to
many international corporations and is one of the forerunners in promotingsocial equality for women, making it a country from which Japan could
learn many things, not just academic in nature. I hope this lecture provides a
stimulus for our students and expands their international perspective.”
Ambassador Vargö’s lecture, entitled “Sweden’s Choices and Future,”
which he delivered in a fluent Japanese with the occasional humorous
insertion, began with an overview of Sweden, including its industry,
politics, education, and welfare systems and covered a broad range of
topics such as Sweden’s unique qualities and similarities and differenceswith Japan. In particular, Ambassador Vargö’s lecture of Sweden’ssocial welfare system supported by high taxation was highly suggestive
for Japan which is currently facing demands for increased treatment
facilities brought about by a rapidly growing elderly population.

Ambassador Vargö gives his lecture

Exchange students interact with Ambassador Vargö during the reception5No.18 2014.3.31
More than 130 audience members gathered for Ambassador Vargö’s

Chancellor Mizuta, Josai University President Yasunori Morimoto,lecture, all of whom listened with great interest. Guests included

Josai International University President Hakuo Yanagisawa, as well as

Ambassador Vargö’s wife as well as many from the business andinternational and domestic students from both JU and JIU.

industry sector with close ties to Sweden such as current Vice President

In the reception that followed, guests took the opportunity to discussof the Japan-Sweden Society and former MITI Vice-Minister Shinji

many of the issues included in Ambassador Vargö’s lecture, as well as

Fukukawa, Vice President of the Japan-Sweden Society Nils Hornmark,
JETRO advisor Yasuo Hayashi, and Director for the Japan Institute of
Scandinavian Studies Masahiro Sunaga. Guests from Josai included

to ask questions and interact with Ambassador Vargö himself.
With Ambassador Vargö’s visit and lecture, we here at Josai eagerly anticipate
the beginning of a program of academic exchange with Swedish universities.

Chancellor Mizuta Wins Sweden’s Cikada Prize
D a t e: December 9, 2013
Place: Embassy of Sweden in Japan

International
Exchange

On December 9, 2013, Josai University Educational Corporation
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta was awarded Sweden’s Cikada Prize forher outstanding work in poetry at a ceremony that took place at the
Embassy of Sweden in Japan. The embassy issues this award to poets
who are able to capture the majesty of life in East Asia.
The Cikada Prize was created in 2004 to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the birth of Swedish Nobel Poet Laureate Harry
Martinson, the title of which comes from a poetry collection of his of
the same name. The first 29 cantos of his collection Aniara, entitled“The Song of Doris and Mima,” had previously appeared in Cikada
and was heavily influenced by the dropping of the atomic bomb on
Japan, as well as the first use of the hydrogen bomb in 1953.
This year marked the sixth award since the Cikada Prize’s inception, threeof which have gone to Japanese poets. Previous award winners include
Sakon So, Tota Kaneko, Un Ko, Kyung-rim Shin, and Chung-hee Moon.
In attendance to celebrate Chancellor Mizuta’s award were AmbassadorKateřina Fialková of the Czech Republic with whom Josai has a close
program of exchange, honored guests from Sweden, Josai exchange
students, particularly from Europe, and Josai faculty.
Swedish ambassador Lars Vargö provided introductory remarks by saying,“The poetry of Noriko Mizuta expresses a broad range of experiencesfrom life abroad, containing a depth of sadness and loss from one who

has studied modernity and female expression. Through the objectificationof emotion, these works possess a freshness that creates a distinct poetic
world.” Afterward, Chancellor Mizuta was presented with the Cikada
Prize certificate of award and trophy from Ambassador Vargö.
Chancellor Mizuta, in her acceptance speech, said, “It is a tremendous
honor to receive an international poetry prize of such distinction. I
would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Vargö and all
the others who have put forth so much effort in creating this prize. In
interacting with Minako Oba and many other female poets who arecomplete strangers to the gender culture of the West, while discord andconflict between nations show no signs of ceasing, I have sensed a realneed in people to communicate their thoughts and build connections
regardless of these conflicts. And I believe that the true medium forthis is poetry, which contains the potential to not only express one’s
thoughts to the like-minded, but allow contact with an elusive “other”
through the communication of one’s state of mind in the moment.”
Then, once again expressing her joy and thanks, Chancellor Mizuta
concluded with a reading of one of Harry Martinson’s poems.
To commemorate the awarding of this prize to Chancellor Mizuta, past
nominees and distinguished poets will be invited to the Tokyo KioichoCampus on June 7, 2014 for a symposium entitled: “Expressing andRelating the Dignity of Life.”

Chancellor Mizuta receives her award from Ambassador Vargö (left)

Cikada Prize certificate and trophy

Josai’s Polish Exchange Students Give Presentation at
Prime Minister Hosted “Poland, Ireland Evening Reception”

International
Exchange

D a t e: October 25, 2013
Place: Official Residence of the Prime Minister
On October 25, 2013, Polish exchange students from the Universityof Warsaw and the Polish-Japanese Institute of Information
Technology who are currently studying at Josai were invited to givea presentation to promote Japan-Poland exchange at the “Poland,
Ireland Evening Reception” hosted by the household of Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe.

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No.18 2014.3.31
As part of Josai’s Mid-term Target of strengthening international exchange

the Japan-Poland and Japan-Ireland Friendship Parliamentarians'

to cultivate global human resources, our university has formed academic

Union. During their presentation, the students explained how eachexchange agreements with a number of institutions worldwide. Josai isof them became interested in Japan and used a bus as a model forparticularly focused on developing programs of exchange with Central

their “mobile cultural center” to illustrate their proposal for theEuropean universities and is currently hosting 13 exchange students fromfurther advancement of Japan-Poland cultural exchange, receiving an

three different Polish universities for a one-year 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

enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.

Gathered around Prime Minister Abe

Talks and Symposia
Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Masanori Aoyagi Gives Special Public Lecture
D a t e: Novermber 27, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus

Talks
and
Symposia

explored his topic from a diversity of angles−political, social, cultural,
military, and infrastructural−to illustrate that the Roman Empire
developed a highly advanced social system comparable to the modern
nation-state. Mr. Aoyagi also launched a cultural comparison between
the Roman Empire and Japanese society, proving that, from ancient
times, Japanese culture has been a “culture of tranquility” or “cyclicalculture” characterized by stability, equilibrium, tradition, and technicalrepetition. Mr. Aoyagi claims that it is the synthesis of these elementsof “vitality” that is responsible for the development of Japanese culture.
The basement auditorium was filled to capacity with JU and JIU
students, faculty, exchange students from Central Europe, China, andmany other places, and members of the general public, all of whom
listened with great attentiveness to Mr. Aoyagi’s talk.
A reception was held following the lecture where exchange students
and others flocked around Mr. Aoyagi to discuss Japanese and foreigncultures and other topics related to his lecture.

On November 27, 2013, Josai University Educational Corporation hosted
a special public lecture by Commissioner for Cultural Affairs and ancient
Greek and Roman scholar Masanori Aoyagi at Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
His lecture, titled “The Roman Empire and Japan−Japan as a Foreign
Culture,” was cosponsored by the Josai Multicultural Studies Center and
the Josai International University Institute for Gender and Women’s Studies.
Mr. Aoyagi, a renowned scholar of ancient Greece and Rome anddoctor of literature, graduated from the Literature Departmentof Tokyo University with a degree in Art History in 1967. Aftercompleting his master’s degree from that same university in 1969, Mr.
Aoyagi did research abroad in Rome for three years where he took
part in the excavation of the ancient Pompeii ruins. Later Mr. Aoyagi
served as the chair of the Tokyo University Literature Department aswell as university Vice President before being designated the directorof the National Museum of Western Art in 2008. In July, 2013,
Mr. Aoyagi was named the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs. An
honorary professor of Tokyo University as well as a member of theJapan Academy, Mr. Aoyagi was a recipient of the Purple Ribbon
Medal in 2006 and the NHK Cultural Award in 2011. He has also
published numerous award-winning books, including The House of
the Ship Europa (Collegium Mediterranistarum Prize) and The Ancient
Roman City (Marco Polo Award).
Before his designation as Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Mr.
Aoyagi was named a Specially Appointed Professor by Josai University
and was instrumental in the establishment of the Josai Multicultural
Studies Center, which served as a cosponsor of this event.
For his special lecture, Mr. Aoyagi addressed the question of how the
Roman Empire, largely considered the pinnacle of human history,
could enjoy such an enduring prosperity for over 300 years. Mr. Aoyagi

Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Mr. Aoyagi gives his lecture7No.18 2014.3.31

Josai Forms Academic Exchange Agreements with Four
Universities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand

International
Exchange

D a t e: October 7-9, 2013
Place: Universiti Malaysia Perlis
From October 7 to 9, 2013, the Josai University Educational
Corporation participated in the 12th Asian University Presidents
Forum held at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), forming newacademic exchange agreements with four different universities in
Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand in the process.
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, including alliances with ASEAN institutions of higher
learning. During this summer term, Josai sent over 130 students tostudy in Malaysia and are engaged in active exchanges in the fields oflanguage learning and pharmaceutical science.
Director of the Management Planning Office, Katsuhiko Namikawa,standing as a proxy for Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, participatedin the forum where he was given the opportunity to interact withrepresentatives from many different universities, ultimately resulting
in new academic exchange agreements.
With the increased interest in improving education in local regions
and strengthening internationalization at the university level, over 150
representatives from 78 universities in 23 different countries attended
this forum. The opening ceremony was attended by former MalaysianPrime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad and current Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Education Muhyiddin Yassin both of whom
gave congratulatory addresses.
During the forum, the Josai camp interacted with representatives frommany different universities regarding the state of higher education in
their country, the possibility of forming joint education or research
programs, and other matters. The fruits of these interactions resulted in
new academic exchanges with the aforementioned UniMAP, as well as
Universitas Surabaya in Indonesia and Siam and Thaksin Universitiesin Thailand. Josai plans to take concrete measures toward forming joint
projects in a variety of fields with these universities in the near future.

Universiti Malaysia Perlis is a national university founded in 2001, locatedin the northernmost Malaysian state of Perlis near the Thailand border.
Josai already formed an extensive agreement with UniMAP and threeother universities during last year’s Asia Summer Program, but this recent
academic exchange agreement was added as a form of bilateral cooperation.
Universitas Surabaya was founded in 1966 and is the largest private
university in Indonesia’s East Java province. With departments in
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Economics, and Business Administration, one
can expect the formation of many joint projects with Josai in these areas.
Thailand’s Siam University was founded in 1965, adding Siam University
International College as an annex in 1995. At present, the university
hosts over 400 international students from 15 different countries. Siamis the 5th largest private university in Thailand and with the extensive
internship program of its Hotel and Tourism Studies department, theuniversity holds particularly strong ties with the Thai tourism industry.
Thaksin University was first founded as a teaching college in 1968 and hassince grown into a multi-disciplinary university. Thaksin−the name granted
by a royal decree of His Majesty the King and meaning “southern”−wasestablished as an independent public university with the aim of protecting
and fostering the culture and educational tradition of southern Thailand.

Commemorative photo with forum participants

Josai Forms Cooperative Alliance with the Myanmar
Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA)International
Exchange

D a t e: October 18, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On October 18, 2013, the Josai University Educational Corporation
formed a cooperative alliance with the Myanmar Association of Japan
Alumni (MAJA).
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; however,this the school’s first agreement with an organization in Myanmar. The
MAJA is an alumni association comprised of former Myanmar exchange
students who studied in Japan. Formed in 2001, the organization’s goal
is to strengthen ties and foster personal connections between Myanmar
and Japan while promoting study abroad. MAJA is also extremely
active in promoting Japanese language education as well as technicaland management training courses for business people. On September
2013, the MAJA board of directors paid a visit to the Thai-Nichi
Institute of Technology (TNI) and the Technology Promotion Association(Thailand-Japan) (TPA) in the neighboring country of Thailand to makeplans for the establishment of a manufacturing university in Myanmar.
MAJA president Myint Wai arrived at the International Conference
Room in the 3rd building of Josai’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus where
he met with Chancellor Noriko Mizuta and other Josai University
Educational Corporation executives and finalized the cooperative
alliance. During the meeting, Chancellor Mizuta said, “Today is anextremely important day for the future of international exchange
between Josai University and Myanmar. I hope that from this day

8No.18 2014.3.31
forward we can work together to foster human resources in both of
our countries.” President Myint Wai added, “Today, after taking atour of this splendid campus, I confirmed that the young generationof Myanmar students could learn many things from studying at Josai
University. The formation of this cooperative alliance will enable us topromote exchange between Josai and Myanmar universities and research
institutions through student exchange and many other programs.”
After the agreement was concluded, President Myint Wai gave a lecture atthe 4th ASEAN Forum Josai entitled, “Myanmar and the Future of Asia,”
in which he said the following: “Myanmar obtained their independence
from England in 1948 and until the coup d’état led by General Ne Win
in 1962, our goal was the establishment of a democratic state. Today,
Myanmar is once again embarking upon the road to democracy. I firstcame to Japan in 1959 as a Japan Foundation exchange student and it
was there that I met my lifelong teachers. They were Professors Michio
Nagai and Takehiko Matsuda of the Tokyo Institute of Technology andChancellor Goichi Hozumi of The Association for Overseas Technical
Scholarship (AOTS). Since returning to Myanmar, I’ve worked hard
to apply the ideas and concepts that I learned in Japan toward building
my country. While most exchange students who study in Europe neverreturn, over 70% of those who study in Japan return to Myanmar andFinalizing the cooperative alliancework to better their country, using Japan as a model. The foundation ofnation building is people building. This is why we are giving our all forthe establishment of a Japan-style manufacturing university.”
After the lecture, a reception party was given for President Myint Wai,with speeches by former Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Takashi
Tajima, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Deputy DirectorGeneral Kiyoshi Mori, Councilor of Finance for the Myanmar
Embassy in Japan Min Zaw Oo, and Hosei University Advisor for
Educational Affairs Tadao Kiyonari.

Yu Tao, Dalian Vice Secretary-General and Josai Visiting
Professor, Comes to Campus, Gives LectureInternational
Exchange

D a t e: October 30, 2013
Place: Josai Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On October 30, 2013, Vice Secretary-General of Dalian Municipal
People’s Government and Josai Visiting Professor Yu Tao came to ourTokyo Kioicho Campus where she delivered a lecture.
Ms. Yu has been involved in work in a great number of fields over theyears including economics, culture, welfare, medicine, and educationand has made significant contributions to academic exchange between
Dalian and Josai University and Josai International University as wellas cultural exchange between Dalian and Japan. She also provided
tremendous cooperation and support in hosting and organizing eventsin which both universities have participated such as the Dalian, China
Internship Program, the Josai-Dalian-Northeastern Alumni Association,and the Josai Executive Program for Women’s Empowerment andLeadership (JEWEL). For the Dalian, China Internship Program,
Ms. Yu provided important introductions to various hospitals andretirement homes where the training took place. She also served as anadvising instructor for the JEWEL program, which was highly regarded
by participants as, “an excellent opportunity to observe the startling

economic development taking place in Dalian as well as China at large.”
Ms. Yu’s lecture, which took place at the 3rd building of Josai’s Tokyo
Kioicho Campus, was titled “The Present Condition and Future
Prospects of Dalian” and used the most recent data to discuss Dalian’s
present economic situation and future outlook. In so doing, Ms. Yu
addressed−in fluent Japanese before a large audience of students andfaculty, including Chancellor Noriko Mizuta−the rapid growth of theelderly population in Dalian and the state of caregiving to stress thenecessity of bolstering social welfare measures. She also discussed femalesocial status and employment opportunities and opportunities for careeradvancement based on her own wealth of experience. In the Q&A that
followed, Ms. Yu provided thoughtful answers to a variety of inquiries
on women’s working environment and the state of female employment
in China, the future of the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industryin Dalian, and the potential relaxing of China’s one-child policy.
A reception was held after the lecture, giving Josai and Chinese exchange
students an opportunity to interact in the presence of Ms. Yu.

Ms. Yu delivers her lecture

The lecture before a large audience of students

9No.18 2014.3.31

Josai Forms Academic Exchange Agreement with Ningxia Institute of Technology
D a t e: November 3, 2013
Place: Josai International University, Chiba Togane CampusInternational
Exchange

On November 3, 2013, Headmaster Zhao Huie of the Ningxia Instituteof Technology visited the Josai International University Campus andan academic exchange was formed between the two universities.
This exchange agreement was made possible by the introduction from
China’s Northeastern University−with whom Josai already shares acomprehensive program of exchange−upon the Josai delegation visit
to the Shenyang region led by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta in September,2013. The delegation then met with Headmaster Principal Zhao anddiscussed arrangements for a potential agreement of academic exchange.
The Ningxia Institute of Technology is a private institution located in
the Shizuishan in the Ningxia region of northwestern China. Founded
in 1985, Ningxia has five academic departments (Humanities
and Sciences, Information Technology Management, Financial
Management, Mechanical Engineering, and Environmental Design)with 29 majors and an enrollment of approximately 8,000.
Chancellor Mizuta, JIU President Hakuo Yanagisawa, Vice President
Masato Kurabayashi, and other Josai University Educational
Corporation executives were on hand for the signing of the agreementthat took place on JIU’s Chiba Togane Campus.
Chancellor Mizuta provided some brief remarks before the signing, saying,“Josai and the Ningxia Institute of Technology share many common
fields, particularly related to tourism. By combining our efforts, we hope
to develop human resources who can contribute in both Japan and China,
as well as at a global level.” Principal Zhao followed by saying, “Fromthis point on, one can expect considerable development in the westernregion of China where Ningxia is located and is blessed with abundant
tourism resources. Through the deepening of exchange between our two
universities, we hope to cultivate human resources particularly in the areaof tourism.” The two parties then finalized the comprehensive exchange
agreement as well as the 2+2 joint education program proposal.
Principal Zhao was accompanied by Party Secretary Wang Kejun
and Assistant Director Wang Qiuju of Northeastern University’s
graduate school of Foreign Languages on his visit, and afterwards
the group toured the main facilities at JIU’s Faculty of Tourism−
which will form the focal point of academic exchange−located on the
Awa Kamogawa Campus where they also met with department chair
Junichi Watanabe to discuss concrete details of the exchange program.
The visiting delegation also visited Josai University’s Sakado Campus
and JIU’s Chiba Togane Campus, meeting with administrators fromboth universities and took in the events at the annual school festival.

Principal Zhao (L) and Chancellor Mizuta following the signing

Commemorative photo with representatives from both parties (front row right: Party Secretary Wang Kejun of
the Northeastern University graduate school of Foreign Languages, front row, left: Assistant Director Wang Qiuju)

Josai Holds Exhibition of Israeli Tableware
D a t e: February 2-April 19, 2014
Place: Josai University, Sakado Campus
From February 7 to April 19, 2014 the Josai University Mizuta
Museum of Art will be holding the exhibition “A Collection of
Israeli Tableware: Around a Dinner Table” with the support of the
Embassy of Israel in Japan and the cooperation of Design Museum
Holon. On February 6, Minister to Japan Peleg Pablo Lewi (on behalfof Ambassador of Israel to Japan Ruth Kahanoff) visited the Sakado
Campus where an opening ceremony was held to commemorate the exhibit.
This exhibit displays impressive pieces from 21 different young
designers and studios selected from the tableware collection at the
Design Museum Holon in Israel, whose design work has attracted
much attention in recent years for its superior artistry and contemporary
global appeal.

International
Exchange

Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, speaking at the opening ceremony, said,“After becoming close with the Embassy of Israel in Japan during thetree planting ceremony commemorating Mr. Raoul Wallenburg thattook place at Josai International University on October 26, 2012,
it is a great honor to receive their blessing to host this marvelous
exhibition. I would be very pleased if, through this exhibit that collects
approximately 20 works, visitors would come to appreciate the charmof the new Israel. It is my hope that more and more students from
Israel will consider studying abroad in Japan.”
Minister Lewi followed Chancellor Mizuta in saying, “It is thanks to
Israel’s introduction to Josai University that we can bring you thisexhibit today. In Israel, the most important part of the home is the10No.18 2014.3.31
modern and contemporary Japanese prints, including the ukiyo-e of
Chōshun Miyagawa, which are part of the Mizuta family collection
donated to the university in 2013.
Afterward the guests visited the Seiko Mizuta Memorial Rose Garden
that opened in October 2013, as part of the 30th anniversary of the

kitchen, with the most vital place being the dinner table where family
members gather together. This dinner table serves as an important toolfor communication.”
The opening attracted many esteemed guests−including Assistant
Director of the Holocaust Education Center, Japan, Akio Yoshida;
President of the Japan Israel Friendship Association, Tetsu Akiyama;
representatives from the Sakado Open Garden; high school instructors;
members of local industry; and representatives from the Apartment
Owners Association−to share an appreciation of these unique works of art.
In connection with this exhibit, the museum also displayed ninefounding of Josai Base College and the 40th anniversary of the Facultyof Pharmaceutical Sciences and admired the six rose plants known
as “Souvenir de Anne Frank” that were donated by the Holocaust
Education Center.
At the reception that followed, President Akiyama of the Japan Israel
Friendship Association remarked that, “It is with great pride that we areable to present an exhibit such as this that reveals the talent of the young
generation from Israel, a nation with thousands of years of rich history.”
Next, a certificate of thanks was presented to Assistant Director Yoshidaof the Holocaust Education Center for their rose garden donation.
Finally, a meal of steamed sea bream, corn soup, sweet and sourchicken, Chinese style almond jelly, a chiffon cake known as “pofa”(meaning “cheek” in Hungarian), and other delicacies prepared by
students from the Department of Clinical Dietetics and Human
Nutrition decorated the table.
We are hoping that this most recent exhibition will help to deepen
Josai’s relations with Israel even further.

Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony

Minister Lewi and Chancellor Mizuta enjoying the exhibition

Minister Lewi addresses the audience

Anniversary
Josai Holds Commemorative Ceremony and Celebration for 30th Anniversaryof Josai Base College, 40th Anniversary of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Anniversary

D a t e: October 5, 2013
Place: Josai University, Sakado Campus
department, first opening in 1973−some eight years after the two
original departments: the Faculty of Economics and the Facultyof Science. Josai Base College was established ten years after Josai’s
founding under the direction of then Chancellor Seiko Mizuta for the
purpose of fostering women’s education and professionalization. It
has since blossomed into the community-based international multidisciplinary university it is today.
At Seiko Hall, where the ceremony was held that morning, Chancellor
Noriko Mizuta addressed the audience with the following words.
“These two anniversaries−the 40th anniversary of the Faculty of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and the 30th of Josai Base College−standas watershed moments in terms of the educational accomplishments

On October 5, 2013, Josai’s Sakado Campus held a commemorative
ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of
Josai Base College and the 40th anniversary of the Faculty of
Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Despite the rainy forecast, the event was well attended by His
Excellency Ambassador Georgi Vassilev of the Bulgarian Embassy,
Lower House member Taimei Yamaguchi, and Sakado mayor Kiyoshi
Ishikawa, as well as members of the local community, alumni of Josai
Base College and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and current
students and faculty members.
While 48 years have passed since Josai University’s founding in 1965,
the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences was the school’s third academic

11No.18 2014.3.31
garden, the Nadia seedlings were planted in a tree
planting ceremony.
The festivities continued in the afternoon witha rousing celebration held at the university
auditorium.
This event began with greetings from alumni
association President Fumio Suzuki andproceeded with the presentation of certificatesof appreciation and special merit awards for
those who have contributed so much to thedevelopment of Josai Base College and theFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences over the years.
The celebration then moved on to the performance
The university entrance adorned with anniversary banner
Chancellor Mizuta greets the audienceof Josai University and represent critical turning points in Josai’s
portion of the program with Josai International University mascots J
groundbreaking history as it approaches its own 50th anniversary. The
and I presenting an enormous two-meter-tall cake to Josai mascots
journey to this moment has certainly not been a smooth one, but the
Jo-kun and Koma-chan. Current and former students of Josai Base
only way Josai University has continued to develop and prosper as anCollege and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences then took the stage
educational enterprise is through the unwavering support and effort ofalong with Chancellor Mizuta and President Morimoto to light 40
you−our faculty, community, alumni, parents’ association, and local
candles on top of the cake. After singing “Happy Birthday to You”
government, schools, and enterprises. I would like to continue to workwith the accompaniment of the school orchestra, the cake was cut withhard to realize the ideals and spirit of this school’s foundation in thea packed auditorium audience joining in celebration.
areas of educational research and professionalization with the goal ofThis was followed by a variety of performances by the school
becoming a leading university in the global age.”orchestra and faculty choir group, as well as a vocal performance from
Afterward, the campus held an opening ceremony for the Seiko
Hungarian exchange students, hula dancing, and cheerleading−all to
Mizuta Memorial Rose Garden, which commemorates both thecommemorate the 30th and 40th year anniversaries.
accomplishments of Josai Base College founder and honorary Josai
The celebration was concluded with the singing of the Josai University
Chancellor Seiko Mizuta and the respective anniversaries of Josai Baseand Josai Base College school songs.
College and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. At the ceremony,
The Mizuta Museum of Art also commemorated these landmark
the college was presented with seedlings of the famous Nadia rose
anniversaries by holding a special exhibition of recently acquired
plant from Bulgaria. After Chancellor Mizuta, Ambassador Vassilev,
artifacts donated by the Mizuta estate in 2013. The exhibition, which
Mayor Ishikawa, university President Yasunori Morimoto, and othercollected rare works such as ukiyo-e by Chōshun Miyagawa, attracted
participants cut the ribbon announcing the official opening of thenumerous visitors to the museum.

Ambassador Vassilev receives a certificate of appreciation

A commemorative photo with ceremony participants

Ribbon cutting at the rose garden entrance

A view of the celebration

12

No.18 2014.3.31

Honorary Degree
Josai Awards President Shukri of Malaysia’s Management andScience University with Honorary Doctoral Degree

Honorary
DegreeD a t e: November 26, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On November 26, 2013, Josai International University awarded
President of sister school Malaysia’s Management and Science
University (MSU), Professor Dato’ Wira Dr. Mohd Shukri Ab. Yajid,
with an honorary doctoral degree on Josai’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
Since the founding of MSU (formerly known as Kolej Universiti
Teknologi Pengurusan Malaysia (KUTPM)) and the PTPL Groupof Colleges in 2001, President Shukri has worked tirelessly for thedevelopment and expansion of these institutions of which he serves as
head, while also earning numerous achievements in the advancementof cultural and academic exchange and international education,
working as one of Malaysia’s foremost leaders in the development ofhigher education.
Since the formation of their academic exchange agreement in January
2010, Josai and MSU have been actively involved in a number ofcollaborative activities in the area of pharmaceutical science, such as
short-term and semester long exchange programs.
On November 25 and 26, Josai hosted for the first time the 4th Asia
Pacific Pharmacy Education Workshop, a conference that discusses
methods of harmonizing pharmaceutical science education acrossdifferent countries in the areas of graduate education, systems of study
evaluation, clinical teaching, and graduate research. This workshop

assembled professionals from a diverse range of cultural, religious,
medical, and scientific backgrounds to provide a meaningful discussion
regarding where the spirit of the pharmacist should lie.
There are also several new collaborative programs in the works thatshould expand academic exchange between the two universities evenfurther, including a JIU short-term English learning program at MSU
next spring and the opening of a 2+2 joint education program for the
Faculty of Tourism.
It is for these numerous achievements in Malaysian higher educationand contributions to academic exchange between MSU and Josai thatPresident Shukri was awarded the honorary doctoral degree.
In the ceremony that took place in the basement auditorium,
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta and JIU President Hakuo Yanagisawa
awarded President Shukri with the honorary doctoral degree, medal,
and trophy.
To commemorate this honor, President Shukri delivered a special
lecture following the ceremony. Titled “Globalisation & Its Impact
on Higher Education,” his lecture constituted an important discussionof approaches to higher education and academic exchange in an age
when economics, technology, education and other fields are becoming
increasingly global, if not borderless.

President Shukri (R) accepts his honorary doctoral degree

A commemorative photo following the ceremony

Chancellor Mizuta Visits Konyang University,
Receives Honorary Doctorate, Signs Exchange Agreement

Honorary
DegreeD a t e: February 20, 2014
Place: Konyang University, Republic of Korea
On February 20, 2014, Josai University Educational Corporation
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta visited leading private medical school Konyang
University where she received an honorary doctoral degree in Business
Administration from university President Hi-Soo Kim in a special award
ceremony. Chancellor Mizuta received this award for her outstandingachievements in academics and education as well as her exceptional
displays of leadership as a university administrator and significant

contributions to academic exchange between Josai and Konyang. As partof the award ceremony, Chancellor Mizuta delivered a lecture on the
topic of, “Gender Inequality in a Society with a Declining Birthrate andAging Population/Cultural Transformation and University Education.”To this point, Konyang University has signed an academic exchange
agreement with Josai International University; however, during
this visit, Josai University was added to the agreement, amending it

13

No.18 2014.3.31

Chancellor Mizuta receives honorary doctorate

Chancellor Mizuta during her lecture

to read “Josai University Educational Corporation.” An agreementwith Josai was also made to host exchange students, thereby
expanding the scope of their academic exchange.
Konyang University has received much recognition in the fields of
medicine and nursing, and also voted the top medical university
in southwest Korea in 2004 and 2007 by the Korean Medical

Association with the university medical center also regarded as one of
the best of its kind. JU President Yasunori Morimoto and Directorof the JIU Faculty of Nursing Kanae Iida accompanied Chancellor
Mizuta on this visit in which discussions were had regarding
programs of exchange in pharmaceutical science and nursing as wellas cooperative strategies for the fostering of global professionals.

Chancellor Mizuta Gives Lecture at Kobe-Oxford Japan Studies Symposium
D a t e: October 15, 2013
Place: Kobe University

Academic
Exchange

On October 15, 2013, at a symposium organized by the Japanesestudies programs of Kobe University and Oxford University in the
UK, Chancellor Noriko Mizuta delivered a lecture entitled, “Memory,
Silence, Gender: Toward the Formation of a New Japan Studies.”
This symposium was co-organized by Kobe and Oxford Universities
as a welcome to second semester international students and, centeredon methods of academic exchange and joint research between the two
universities, draws upon criticism of Japan’s intellectual environment
from experienced foreign observers to address its larger themes of how toadvance the field of Japan Studies and how to cultivate young scholars in
the field, both in Japan and abroad. Given her vast knowledge in this area,
Chancellor Mizuta was the natural candidate to deliver a lecture on the subject.
Using the keywords of “memory, silence, and gender,” Chancellor Mizuta
began by relating her own realizations as both a foreigner and a woman
during her study in the United States. She then expressed the “silence ofmemory” that she claims pervades Japanese literature in terms of a form of“repose” for dead souls, thus serving as a means for communicating withthe spirit of the other as well as taking on the memory of the other.
In closing, Chancellor Mizuta expressed her wishes for the futureof Japan Studies and those researchers involved. For the study of

expressions that transcend the narrow national framework, Chancellor
Mizuta stressed the need of assuming either the perspective of someone
viewing Japan from the outside or viewing Japan within the global
context. She then emphasized the importance of active exchange andconferences that include foreign scholars of Japan studies, individual
experience with foreign cultures, and cultivating creative freedom
amongst the young generation of scholars. Chancellor Mizuta
suggested that using the concept of “encounters with the other” as abasis for inquiry provides the best opportunity for opening up a varietyof new perspectives in Japan studies in the 21st century.
Following Chancellor Mizuta’s lecture, Associate Professor of Chinese
literature Maya Hamada and Associate Professor of English literature
Sayaka Okumura drew on a variety of sources in their field todemonstrate how the theme of “memory, silence, gender” is a universal
literary concept that transcends the boundaries of the nation state.
This was followed by a concert titled, “The World of John Dowland,”
which featured a beautiful baroque Renaissance music performancewith the vocals of Oxford graduate Emma Kirkby (soprano) and
Takashi Tsunoda on the lute with a compelling analysis of the musicof composer John Dowland afterwards.

With symposium discussantsWith Oxford University students

14No.18 2014.3.31

Josai Hosts Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
Event “Fair Use for Documentary Filmmakers”

Academic
Exchange

D a t e: October 18, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
of committing or overlooking issues of copyright infringement.
The seminar opened with a lecture from Gordon Quinn (producer,
Hoop Dreams, Stevie) who used concrete visual examples to illustrate
fair use guidelines compiled by American documentary filmmakers
and legal counsel. Must one obtain legal rights to a song playing in the
background of a coffee shop where an interview was held? Is one allowed
to use videos promoting the advancement of nuclear energy to criticize
government policy? Mr. Quinn addressed these questions and more.
Afterward, Tetsujiro Yamagami (producer, Out of Place: Memories of
Edward Said) and director John Junkerman (The Constitution of Japan)
joined in the conversation, fielding questions during a Q&A andexpressing their individual stances regarding fair use. Many documentary
filmmakers and journalists attended the event, thereby expanding thediscussion in terms of scope and practical information, making for avery meaningful session indeed. As the concept and application of fairuse has just recently been introduced in Japan, Josai’s Visual Studies
Center plans to take the lead in promoting this practice further.

Professor Abé Mark Nornes and Mr. Fujioka of the Yamagata International Documentary Film
Festival at the seminar opening

On October 18, 2013, Josai’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus hosted a symposium
co-sponsored by Josai University Educational Corporation/Asian Visual
Studies Center and the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
to educate filmmakers about “fair use,” so they can avoid unnecessary fears

Josai Hosts 4th Annual Japan-China Financial Management Forum
D a t e: November 12, 2013
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus

Talks
and
Symposia

subjects in his lecture: “The Scope of China’s Economic Presencein the Global Market,” “The Remarkable Background Behind
China’s Economic Growth Restrictions,” “Formulas for Economic
Development and the Trend Toward Economic Reform as a Meansof Overcoming Restrictions,” “The Deepening of Japan-China
Interdependent Economic Relations,” and “Japan’s Economic
Recovery and Methods for a Japan-China Strategic Partnership.”During his lecture, Mr. Okamoto said, “Since last year, the state ofJapan-China political relations have worsened. However, for Japan and
the Abe-nomics plan of economic recovery alike, financial exchange
and stable expansion with China constitutes the core of Japan-China
strategic interdependent relations. The promotion of business exchange
provides ample opportunity for the rebuilding of relations between thetwo nations.” Not adhering strictly to business, Mr. Okamoto also
spoke of the possibility of building cooperative relations through cultural
exchange, caregiving, environmental maintenance, and other fields.
A Q&A session followed the lecture, during which a lively discussion
ensued regarding the importance of exchange amongst young people
and other topics.

Mr. Okamoto delivers his lecture

On November 12, 2013, the Josai Center for Innovation hosted the 4th
Annual Japan-China Financial Management Forum at the Tokyo KioichoCampus with Japan-China Economic Association President Executive
Iwao Okamoto giving a keynote lecture titled, “The State and Future
Prospects of Japan-China Economic Relations.” The forum was scheduled
for the week following both organizations’ China visit and attracted a great
number of participants from both within and outside the university.
Mr. Okamoto presented a variety of data to address five different

Tianjin Foreign Studies University President Xiu Gang Gives Lecture at Josai
D a t e: February 14, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On February 14, 2014, Tianjin Foreign Studies University President
and Josai International University Honorary Doctoral Recipient Xiu
Gang gave a lecture at the basement auditorium in the 1st building of

Talks
and
Symposia

the Tokyo Kioicho Campus for the JIU Executive Program.
President Xiu is regarded as the biggest advocate of Japanese language
education in China, serving as the focal point of the Japanese education

15

No.18 2014.3.31● Access Map

Chancellor Mizuta provides introductory remarks

President Xiu during his lecture

world nationwide. Xiu was named president of Tianjin Foreign Studies
University in 1999, and, as part of the University’s plans for expansion,
successfully accomplished the formidable task of elevating their status toa multidisciplinary university in 2010. President Xiu Gang also holds
multiple other important offices, such as Honorary President of theChinese Institute of Japanese Language Studies and the Vice President of
the Chinese Translators Association.
In 2011, Tianjin Foreign Studies University hosted the World
Conference on Japanese Education in conjunction with the Japanese
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, theJapan Foundation, and Japanese and Chinese corporations. Then, in
September of that same year, President Xiu received an honorary doctoral
degree from JIU in recognition of his numerous contributions andaccomplishments in the field.
Josai first formed an academic exchange agreement with Tianjin Foreign
Studies University in October 2007, and have since enjoyed an extremely
active partnership with many students from Tianjin coming to study at
Josai each year.
After an introduction from Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, President
Xiu gave his lecture entitled, “China-Japan Relations from a PublicStandpoint−Toward Intercultural Communication” that described
the challenges of current China-Japan relations and, with a mutual
acceptance of fundamental differences as a base, explained the importanceof intercultural communication and the necessity for forming favorable
relations from the perspective of an average citizen.
Despite the heavy snowfall, nearly 150 Josai University and JIU faculty
and students were in attendance, listening to the lecture with great interest.
The lecture was followed by a reception in which many faculty andstudents gathered around President Xiu to discuss the construction of
positive China-Japan relations and cultural exchange, among other topics.

16