No.19 2014.9.30

国際学術文化振興センター

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

No.19（2014.9.30）

International Exchange
JIU Holds Fall Entrance Ceremony and
JU Holds Fall Commencement and Entrance Ceremony

International
Exchange

D a t e: September 9 and 19, 2014
Place: Josai International University, Chiba Togane Campus and Josai University, Sakado Campus
Josai International University
On Wednesday, September 9, 2014, Josai International University
held its 2014 Fall entrance ceremony at the Mizuta Memorial Hall on
the Chiba Togane campus.
This Fall’s entering class consisted of exchange students from a variety
of different countries including: China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam,

The alumni association meeting following the ceremony

Thailand, the Philippines, Pakistan, USA, Canada, New Zealand,
Spain, Norway, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia,
lending the ceremony a distinctly international flavor.
Esteemed guests at the ceremony included Ambassador Extraordinaire
and Plenipotentiary His Excellency Michal Kottman of the Embassyof the Slovak Republic in Japan, Councilor Györgyi Juhász of the
Embassy of Hungary in Japan, and Senior Advisor Kari Steenstrup
Vaalund of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Japan who delivered
congratulatory messages to incoming students.
Jakub Novotný (Slovakia, University of Presov in Presov) speaking as
representative of the incoming class, pledged, “Together as a class, andin the spirit of this school’s foundation, we vow to observe our promiseof devoting our undivided attention to the pursuit of knowledge.”
Following the ceremony, a meeting of the exchange student alumni
association was held, which provided an excellent opportunity for the
new students to meet upperclassmen and current members.

The scene at Mizuta Memorial Hall with incoming students from all over the worldAmbassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary His Councilor Györgyi Juhász of the Embassy of
Excellency Michal Kottman of the Embassy of Slovakia Hungary

Josai University
Blessed with fair skies, Josai University held its Fall commencement
and entrance ceremony on September 19, 2014, at Sakado campus’

Senior Advisor Kari Steenstrup Vaalund of the Incoming class representative, Jakub Novotný
Embassy of Norway1No.19 2014.9.30
Seiko Hall. The ceremony honored 112 graduating students as wellrealizing your individual life goals.”

as 88 entering exchange students from nine different countries. Of

The ceremony continued with a congratulatory address from Councilor

these 88 entering students, 51 are from China, 18 from Malaysia, 9Györgyi Juhász of the Embassy of Hungary, as well as congratulatoryfrom Hungary, 3 from South Korea, 3 from Poland, and 1 each fromremarks from Saitama Prefectural Governor Kiyoshi Ueda andThailand, Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia—it was the firstAmbassador Cyryl Kozaczewski of the Embassy of Poland.

time Josai accepted students from the latter two countries.
After Josai University President Yasunori Morimoto presented thegraduating class representative with her diploma, the incoming
students were introduced. Chancellor Noriko Mizuta then addressed
graduating and incoming students alike during the ceremony saying,“I hope that all of you will join together in working for a better life forthe future of both Japan and the world.” President Morimoto, in his
commencement address said, “Please aim high and work hard toward

Graduating class representative Miho Harada (Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences) alluded to the recent destruction in Hiroshima prefecture due
to heavy rains in her commencement speech saying, “It’s my goal towork hard to become a medical professional who can help those inneed during such a crisis.” Speaking on behalf of the incoming class,
Xu Shuwen (Faculty of Contemporary Policy Studies) pledged, “Asexchange students, we intend to do our best to act as bridges towardbuilding strong ties between Josai and our respective nations.”

A view of the ceremony

Josai students from all over the world

Josai Hosts International Symposium“WAW! Tokyo 2014 Shine Weeks Events at Saitama”

International
Exchange

D a t e: September 16, 2014
Place: Josai University, Sakado Campus
On September 16, 2014, Josai University’s Sakado campus hosted
the JU and Saitama prefecture cosponsored international symposium“World Assembly for Women in Tokyo 2014 Shine Weeks Events
at Saitama” at the Seiko Hall. This event was one of many local
symposiums held in conjunction with the World Assembly for Womenin Tokyo 2014 that took place downtown Tokyo from September
12 to September14. Nearly 500 participants—including prefecturaland women’s association members, members of the local community,
students and faculty—attended and listened with great interest to talks
from some of the world’s most influential female leaders.
Starting with Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), the symposium featured a great number ofwomen business and political leaders and experts from around the world.
Mireya Solis of American think tank The Brookings Institution andLeonor Beleza, President of Portugal’s leading medical research facility theChampalimaud Foundation also participated in this year’s symposium.
Saitama Director of Daily Affairs Tsutomu Fukushima, providing
opening remarks in place of Saitama Governor Kiyoshi Ueda, who
suddenly had to cancel his participation due to earthquake response
measures, gave details on the symposium, saying, “We originallyreceived word from the national government, requesting that Saitama
host a regional event. We then secured the ready consent to cosponsor
the event from Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, a chief authority on
women’s studies and pride of our prefecture.” Chancellor Mizuta thengave her opening address, adding, “It is thanks to the cooperation andunderstanding of Governor Ueda and a great number of men from theboard of education that enables Josai women to shine.”
In her lecture, Ms. Solis, an expert in foreign finance, emphasized that,“The role of regional and local community in elevating the status of
women is enormous. And that will in turn lead to changes in thecentral government and Japan’s position as a whole.” Ms. Beleza, who
has held many important positions, including Portugal’s Minister of
Health, related her experience of holding a high-profile public office at
the age of 33 while caring for two children. “Women, who comprisehalf of the world’s population, hold the most startling potential, yet

A view of the symposium2

No.19 2014.9.30
we are unable to make the most of it. And this is because we create

Ms. Solis: “When entering the industry, it’s important to find good

obstacles for ourselves,” she said.

coworkers and good superiors. There’s no room to be shy.” Ms. Beleza:

Afterwards, the speakers gave advice in response to student questions.

“You cannot apply limits to yourself. Never give up on your job.”

Honorary Degree
Chancellor Mizuta Receives Honorary Professorship from
City University of Hong Kong, Gives Commemorative Speech

Honorary
DegreeD a t e: April 8-10, 2014
Place: City University of Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
From April 8 to 10, 2014, a delegation from Josai University
Educational Corporation led by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta visited theCity University of Hong Kong located in Kowloon.
The delegation received a special guided tour of CityU’s School of
Creative Media, Department of Media and Communication, Run
Run Shaw Library, and Japanese Tea House by university President
Way Kuo. At the Department of Media, under the supervision of
department Director Shaw, the delegation enjoyed a 3-D screening of
the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang and Gansu—designated a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site in 1987—which made the viewer feel as though
they were actually inside the caves. Chancellor Mizuta also sat down
for an interview with students in the department’s interview roomwith its numerous cameras placed in a variety of locations. With shotsfrom various different angles, it promises to be a very high-quality video,
one that is particularly unique to City University. It was clear that theuniversity has channeled much energy into the Department of Media,
working to create an ideal environment for students to enrich their talents.
Afterward, at CityU’s Connie Fan Multi-media Conference Room,Chancellor Mizuta received an Honorary Professorship from the
Department of Management from April 2, 2014 to March 31, 2017.
At the ceremony, President Kuo presented Chancellor Mizuta with anhonorary certificate and a commemorative crystal. To commemorate
her award, Chancellor Mizuta delivered a lecture entitled “TheYamamba’s Long Life: The Cultural Dynamics of an Aging Society”

Chancellor Mizuta receives her honorary professorship award

to an audience of students and faculty. As the problem of an aging
society is currently a pressing issue in Hong Kong as well, Chancellor
Mizuta’s speech received a resounding response.
Since the formation of an academic exchange agreement with City
University in 2012, the two universities have been engaged in a variety
of programs, including the deployment of 26 exchange students to
CityU in June 2013 under JIU’s Faculty of International Humanities
study abroad program and the hosting of 20 CityU students in
December 2013 for Josai’s Winter Seminar.
We are hoping that this most recent visit will lead to even morecooperative activities between the two universities in a variety of fields.

Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Visits Josai, Gives Lecture
D a t e: April 14, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On April 14, 2014, Poland’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Nowak-Far, visited Tokyo Kioicho Campus where he gave a lecture.
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta preceded Nowak-Far with a welcome address,
saying, “It is a great honor to have Minister Nowak-Far give a lecture atour university. This will serve as a splendid opportunity for students tolearn more about EU law, a subject in which few Japanese are well-versed.”In his lecture, entitled “Japanese Journey into EU Law,” Minister NowakFar provided an overview of EU law and an explanation of the legal
system. He explained that EU Law is an international legal system thathas been translated into 24 different languages and applied in 28 different
countries. Minister Nowak-Far also pointed out the system’s discrepancies
with Japanese law and the difficulty of finding commonalities between the
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nowak-Far

3

International
ExchangeNo.19 2014.9.30
two systems. In the Q&A session that followed, a lively debate ensued

which includes the special exhibit “Madame Curie—Why Poland’s

regarding the impact of EU law on local communities and other issues.

Original Scientist is Just as Vital Today” held at the Mizuta Museum

Participants in the event, including Chancellor Mizuta, students andof Art in March 2012 and the foundation of the Josai Institute for Central

faculty from both Josai University and Josai International Universities,

European Studies in November 2013 on the Tokyo Kioicho Campus.

and exchange students from Europe and other places abroad, all

The Josai Institute for Central European Studies was established tolistened with great attention to Minister Nowak-Far’s 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. This is just as true of Josai’s collaborations with Poland,

document the progress made in central European education, as wellas to promote joint research, academic exchange, human resource
development, and undergraduate and graduate education in this same
region. With this program in place, Josai hopes to expand academic
exchange with Polish universities even further.

Former Slovenian President Visits Josai, Gives Lecture
D a t e: April 23, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On April 23, 2014, former Slovenian President Danilo Türk visited
Josai’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus where he delivered a lecture and met
with students. The Republic of Slovenia, a nation located in central
Europe, declared its independence in June 1991—one that was achieved
after much suffering—marking the dissolution of the Yugoslavian union.
Serving as UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs from2000 to 2005, former President Türk made it his work to resolve
border disputes. He later worked as a professor of international law atUniversity of Ljubljana from 2005 to 2007 before being elected the 3rdInternational
Exchange

President of the Republic of Slovenia, serving from 2007 until 2012.
Arriving to campus at 3:00 PM alongside Ambassador Helena
Drnovsek Zorko and Minister Plenipotentiary Oto Pungartnik,
former President Türk met with Chancellor Noriko Mizuta and otherrepresentatives from Josai University.
Providing opening remarks before former President Türk’s lecture,
Chancellor Mizuta said, “I’m overjoyed at the opportunity for Josai
students to hear a speech from such an esteemed scholar of law anddiplomat as former President Danilo Türk.”Shiba Nobuhiro, Deputy Director of the Josai Institute for Central
European Studies, also expressed his wishes to the diverse audience inattendance. “At the Josai Institute for Central European Studies wehave had many great opportunities to become closer to the Visegrad
Group (V4), but I hope to use this event as an opportunity to deepen
relations with not just the group as a whole, but the individual nationof Slovenia,” he said.
In his lecture entitled, “The Future of the UN System,” former
President Danilo Türk drew on his experiences as a high-level foreign
diplomat and high UN official to provide an overview of the UN

system and discuss its approach toward the three categories of national
security, development, and human rights, while European exchange
students, Josai University and Josai International University students
alike listened with great interest.
During the Q&A session, Shotaro Fujino of Josai University’s Facultyof Economics asked, “I would like to work for the UN in the future
and plan to study abroad at the University of Economics, Prague.
What do you consider necessary in terms of reform of the UN system?”
Former President Türk demonstrated his problem solving approachwith the following answer: “Before suggesting a course of reform, onemust first grasp the UN system as a whole and consider its structure
critically and then go on to argue whether reform is necessary or not.”There were many questions from international students from Europe
and other places overseas who are studying at JU and JIU as well as
students from JIU’s Graduate School of International Administration,
all of which former President Türk answered courteously.
The questions to former President Türk continued on in the receptionthat followed, generating a pleasant atmosphere that went beyond theallotted schedule.
To this point, Josai University Educational Corporation has worked
actively for the promotion of student exchange and the cultivation ofhuman resources in Central Europe, earning many accomplishmentsin the realm of education and cultural exchange in the process. The
Josai Institute for Central European Studies was established to promoteeven further the development of joint research, academic exchange,
human resources, and undergraduate and graduate education in thisregion. With former President Türk’s visit to Josai, we hope that ourprogram of exchange with Slovenia will become even more active.

Former President Türk during his lecture

Former President Türk meets with students

4No.19 2014.9.30

Josai Forms Academic Exchange Agreement with Walailak University
D a t e: May 9, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho CampusInternational
Exchange

Founded in 1992, Walailak University is one of 31 national universitiesin Thailand. Its name comes from the third daughter of King
Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Chulabhorn Walailak. Walailak
University is comprised of the following 11 schools: the School of
Agricultural Technology, the School of Allied Health Sciences andPublic Health, the School of Architecture and Design, the School ofEngineering and Resources, the School of Informatics, the School of
Liberal Arts, the School of Management, the School of Medicine, theSchool of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy, and the School of Scienceand has an enrollment of 6,000 students.
Upon arrival to the Tokyo Kioicho Campus, President Keerath met
with Chancellor Noriko Mizuta and other Josai University Educational
Corporation executives.
Before the agreement signing, Chancellor Mizuta provided opening
remarks, saying, “It is a great honor for us at Josai to form an academic
exchange agreement with Walailak University. Our two universities
share many common fields of study, and with this agreement we plan totake concrete measures toward developing our program of exchange.”
President Keerath followed with her remarks, saying, “I would like tothank Josai for such a warm reception. Starting today, we will deepen
our program of exchange with us sending exchange students to Josai
University and Josai International University and working together todevelop human resources.”
Josai International University and Walailak University share many
common programs of study especially in the Faculty of Nursing andthe Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Thus, with the formationof this academic exchange, we can anticipate the beginning of many
cooperative projects in these fields and others.

Signing the academic exchange agreement

On May 9, 2014, Josai University Educational Corporation formed
an academic exchange agreement with Thailand’s Walailak University.
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, focusing particularly on those in Southeast Asia andCentral Europe. In Thailand alone, Josai has formed a cooperative
alliance with the Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan)(in October 2012) as well as academic exchange agreements with
Bangkok University (in January 2013), Rangsit University (in April2013), and the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology (in May 2013).
Josai has already established relations with Walailak University with the
Asia Summer Program in which students of this university participate
every year, and used the occasion of Walailak President Keerath
Sanguansai’s visit to create a formal academic exchange agreement.

The 20 th Annual Czech Speech Contest is held at Josai University
D a t e: May 17, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho CampusInternational
Exchange

A commemorative photo following the competition

Chancellor Mizuta and Ambassador Fialková interact with students

On May 17, 2014, the 20th annual Czech Speech Contest, sponsoredexchange and human resource development with Central European
Universities and achieved many accomplishments in educational andcultural exchange in that same region—agreed to host the speechcompetition for the second consecutive year.
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta provided opening remarks, stating, “It is a greatby the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Japan, was held at thebasement of auditorium of Josai University.
Due to the Embassy of the Czech Republic’s ongoing renovation,
Josai—a university which has been actively involved in student

5

No.19 2014.9.30
honor to host the Czech Speech Contest for the second year in a row.”winner Hikari Utsuda presided as this year’s panel of strict judges,

Czech Ambassador Kateřina Fialková then followed with her own remarks.

awarding Harune Hosoda with the top prize for her “rich power ofShe said, “It is with great pleasure that I present the 20th Czech Speech

expression” (in the words of Ambassador Fialková). In addition,

Contest. In recent years, the number of Japanese studying the Czech

Miwako Inoue was given the Chancellor Noriko Mizuta Award. Inoue

language has increased dramatically. Due to the unforeseen number ofworks as a nurse, studying the Czech language at home during her

applicants for this year’s competition, we hurriedly arranged to divide thecontest into two parts. I would like to give Chancellor Mizuta and all theother organizers a sincere thank you for offering to host this competition.”
Thirteen professionals and students who study the Czech language
took the stage for this year’s competition. Participants were to givea five-minute presentation on one of two topics (“Czech Music in
2014—Czech Music and Myself” or “My Favorite Town”) followed
by a question and answer period with the panel of judges.
Ambassador Kateřina Fialková, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Professor Taku Shinohara, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Visiting Professor Marketa Gebhartova, Mr. Ikuo Shoji of the Central
European division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and last year’s

spare time. Her exceptional language ability combined with her strong
effort led to her being selected for the award.
Appetizers were prepared by the Czech embassy chef for the receptionthat followed, which participants used to get to know one anotherbetter through friendly conversation.
Josai has to date formed academic exchange agreements with three
universities: Charles University in Prague, Masaryk University, andUniversity of Economics, Prague in the Czech Republic and has been activein organizing seminars and lecture series to promote international exchange.
In accordance with Josai’s goal of strengthening economic exchange tocultivate global human resources, we will continue to build academic
exchange with the Czech Republic and other areas of Central Europe.

Josai Hosts International Symposium Commemorating
Winners of the Cikada Prize

International
Exchange

D a t e: June 7, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On June 7, the International Symposium Commemorating Winnersof the Cikada Prize was held at the 1st building auditorium of Josai’s

The symposium opened with an overview of the Cikada Prize fromAmbassador His Excellency Vargö followed by a talk from Chancellor
Mizuta on the poetry collection Aniara by Harry Martinson—Swedish
poet and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature—which formed theinspiration for the Cikada Prize. The symposium then moved into
panel discussion divided by the following three topics:

Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
On December 9, 2013, Chancellor Noriko Mizuta was given the
Cikada Prize—an international poetry award administered by the
Embassy of Sweden in Japan that honors exceptional poets who areable to express the inviolability of life in East Asia. To celebrate
this achievement, Josai organized a symposium centered on thetheme of “Giving World to the Inviolability of Life,” which was
divided into three sessions and assembled the Ambassador of theKingdom of Sweden, recipient of a PhD in literature from Uppsalaand Kyoto Universities as well as an exceptional poet in his own
right, His Excellency Lars Vargö; past recipients of the Cikada
Prize; and famous poets from around East Asia as participants.
Panelists who participated in this year’s symposium were as follows:
Lars Vargö

Swedish Ambassador to Japan, haiku poet

Noriko Mizuta

6th winner of the Cikada Prize

Akito Arima

Haiku poet

Kyong-rim Shin

4th winner of the Cikada Prize

Chung-hee Moon

5th winner of the Cikada Prize

Bei Dao

Poet

Kazuko Shiraishi

Poet

Toriko Takarabe

Poet

Mutsuo Takahashi

Poet

Gozo Yoshimasu

Poet

Aki Sagawa

Poet

Yuan Tian

Poet

Sung-rea Han

Poet, Translator

Panel 1 members (from left): Ambassador Vargö, Mr. Arima, Mr. Shin, Ms. Moon, Chancellor Mizuta,
and Mr. Han(including the work of 3rd Cikada Prize winner Ko Un)

The scene during Panel 3

6

No.19 2014.9.30

Panel 2

Cikada as the Encounter between Poets of Northern
Europe and East Asia
Experiences in Foreign Countries and Poetry andExpression

Panel 3

The Future of Poetry in East Asia

Panel 1native tongue, yielding a deep emotional reaction from the audience.
In closing, musician Shigemi Yoshioka gave a vocal performance of
poetry to her own musical accompaniment. Ms. Yoshioka performs
piano to vocals comprised of poetry from tanka and Japanese womenpoets such as Misuzu Kaneko, Akiko Yosano, and Noriko Ibaragi in a

Panel 1 addressed theories of poetry, translation, and poets based in
East Asia, extending it to the rest of the world. Panel 2, taking foreigncountries as its theme, related the direct experiences of poets abroad to
discuss the extent to which these experiences are heightened by poetic
expression. In Panel 3, each panelist offered their words on the future of
poetry in East Asia followed by a poetry reading conducted in each poet’s

way that deeply moves the hearts of anyone who listens.
To celebrate the Cikada Prize, Ms. Yoshioka performed a solo renditionof a new poem of Chancellor Mizuta’s entitled, “The Unwritten Love
Letter,” while the Josai Kioicho Mixed Chorus performed a fourpart harmony specially arranged by Yasuhide Ito to the enthusiastic
applause of the audience.

Josai Forms Academic Exchange Agreement with Myanmar’s
Yangon University of Foreign Languages

International
Exchange

D a t e: July 1, 2014
Place: Yangon University of Foreign Languages, Republic of the Union of Myanmar
On July 1, 2014, Josai University Educational Corporation became
the first Japanese university to form an academic exchange agreementwith Myanmar’s Yangon University of Foreign Languages.
The exchange agreement was formed during a Josai delegation visit to
Yangon University of Foreign Languages. The delegation was led by
Managing Director of Josai University Educational Corporation andPresident of Josai University, Yasunori Morimoto, serving on behalf ofJosai Chancellor Noriko Mizuta. The signing ceremony was attended byapproximately ten representatives from Yangon University of Foreign
Languages, including President Lwin Lwin Soe, and Chair of the Japanese
Language department Khin Aye. Also in attendance were former andcurrent presidents of the Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA),
Myint Wai and Si Si Shen, respectively, as well as Minister Toshio
Yamamoto and other dignitaries from the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar.
Since its democratization in 2011, Myanmar has been the focus of muchattention as one of the primary countries in Southeast Asia on track
toward genuine economic development. This year marks the 60th year

foundation in 2014. Yangon University of Foreign Languages is widely
regarded as the leader of foreign language universities among Myanmar
institutions. The university has departments in Japanese, Chinese, Korean,
English, German, and French, among others. The Japanese department
alone has an enrollment of nearly 300 with 25 faculty members.
On the following day (7/2), the Josai delegation paid a visit to the
Embassy of Japan in Myanmar where they met with Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Tateshi Higuchi to announce thesigning of the academic exchange agreement.
As part of our Mid-term Target of strengthening international
exchange to cultivate global human resources, Josai also formed acooperative alliance with the Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni(MAJA)—comprised of Myanmar graduates who studied abroad inJapan—in October, 2013. In addition, the upcoming Japan-ASEAN
summit conference is scheduled to take place in the Myanmar capitalof Naypyidaw in November, 2014, with Myanmar serving as the hostcountry. In accordance with this, the Japanese government, in a June
24 cabinet decision, announced a new direction in policy to “actively
promote the strengthening of human resource network formation
overseas through former exchange students to Japan.”
In light of these developments, Josai’s position as the first Japanese
university to form an academic exchange agreement with the Yangon
University of Foreign Languages is truly epoch-making.
With this agreement, one can expect many concrete programs of
exchange between Josai and Yangon University of Foreign Languages,
including the hosting of exchange students.

of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and Japan, a fact that wasobserved by the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar during the ceremony.
Managing Director Morimoto, spoke during the ceremony, saying, “It isa great honor to visit the Yangon University of Foreign Languages today.
The rapid economic and industrial development of Myanmar calls forhuman resources that can serve as a bridge between Myanmar and Japan.
This academic exchange agreement was formed in the interest of cultivating
precisely these kind of human resources and for the expansion of relations
between our two universities through educational and research exchange.”
President Lwin Lwin Soe followed by saying, “To date, our university
has formed agreements with universities in Russia, South Korea,
Thailand, and France, but it is a great honor that our first academic
exchange agreement with a Japanese university is with the Josai
University Educational Corporation. I hope that this prove a very
fruitful partnership for both universities.”
This was followed by the signing of the exchange agreement.
After the ceremony, the Josai delegation was given a guided tour ofcampus facilities, including a classroom viewing of a Japanese language
course in session where they had the opportunity to meet with Japanesefaculty and their enthusiastic students.
Yangon University of Foreign Languages, a national university with anenrollment of approximately 2,300, celebrates the 60th anniversary of its

Managing Director and President Morimoto (left) and President Lwin Lwin Soe exchange copiesof the agreement7No.19 2014.9.30

Josai Forms Academic Exchange Agreement with
Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco

International
Exchange

D a t e: July 2, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On July 2, 2014, the Josai University Educational Corporation
formed an academic exchange agreement with Italy’s Fondazione
Romualdo Del Bianco. This agreement was made possible throughthe introduction of Dr. Masanori Aoyagi, an archeologist andCommissioner of Cultural Affairs based in Italy.
The Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco is a foundation established in1998 in Florence, Italy under the motto “Life Beyond Tourism” withthe goal of promoting interaction between foreign cultures as well as
the value and importance of cultural heritage.
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, speaking before the official signing, said,“It is a great honor for Josai to form an academic exchange agreementwith the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco. In accordance with
our program of international exchange, we are hoping that this mostrecent agreement will provide a foundation toward pursuing academic
exchange agreements with Italian universities as well.” This wasfollowed by opening remarks from foundation President Paolo Del
Bianco who said, “I am very grateful for the warm welcome from
Josai University Educational Corporation,” before proceeding with an
introduction of his foundation. Dr. Aoyagi, the primary facilitatorof this exchange agreement, also contributed remarks by saying, “It is
my hope that this agreement will lead an active and very productive

exchange.”
Following the signing, a discussion was held regarding the upcoming
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) event,
Florence Youth and Heritage Festival to be held in Italy in November,
2014.
In closing, one can anticipate a variety of programs of exchange as aresult of this most recent agreement.

Foundation President Paolo Del Bianco (left), Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Dr. Aoyagi (center),and Chancellor Mizuta (right) during the signing ceremony

Chancellor Mizuta Attends World Women University
Presidents Forum as Asian Regional Chancellor

International
Exchange

D a t e: September 5-6, 2014
Place: Communication University of China, People's Republic of China
On September 5 and 6, Josai University Educational Corporation’s
Chancellor Noriko Mizuta attended the 6th World Women University
Presidents Forum at the Communication University of China in
Beijing, presiding as the Regional Chancellor for Asia and gave akeynote lecture.
This forum, sponsored by Communication University of China
Honorary President Liu Jinan, takes place once every two years. Josai
hosted the conference in 2008 with the theme “Issues of Women’s
Higher Education in an Aging Society.”

This year’s forum assembled 71 women from top universitiesin 41 countries to discuss the theme of “Women, Instruction,
Leadership” from a variety of perspectives over the two day period.
As the sole participant from Japan, Chancellor Mizuta gave her
lecture on “Innovation in Global Education and the Importanceof University Alliance,” receiving much positive feedback. Given
her position as the only Japanese participant, Chancellor Mizuta
also received much attention from media outlets covering theevent, including the Xinhua News Agency, Mainichi Newspapers,

Chancellor Mizuta gives her keynote lecture

Congratulating Josai L-WIN member and Honorary President Liu Jinan

8

No.19 2014.9.30
and China Radio International, with her interview broadcast

participants pledging to continue to gather knowledge and strengthen

worldwide.

ties toward the goal of building female leadership.

The forum closed on the final day in rousing fashion with the

Josai Holds Award Ceremony for Noriko Mizuta Hungary,
Poland, Czech, Slovakia Scholarship

International
Exchange

D a t e: September 30, 2014
Place: Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kioicho Campus
On September 30, 2014, an award ceremony was held for the Noriko
Mizuta Hungary, Poland, Czech, Slovakia Scholarship at Josai
University Educational Corporation’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
This scholarship was originally founded as the Noriko Mizuta Hungary
Scholarship in December 2009 to commemorate the visit from thenPresident of Hungary, Sólyom László, to the Tokyo Kioicho Campus.
As part of Josai’s plan to strengthen international exchange to cultivate
global human resources, our university has increased academic
exchange with institutions in Central Europe, particularly those in theV4. This is the first year students from Slovakia were awarded thescholarship.
Of the 24 recipients of this year’s award who will be studying ateither Josai University or Josai International University, 12 are from
Hungary (Budapest Business School, Eötvös Loránd University, Károli
Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, University ofSzeged), 7 from Poland (University of Warsaw, University of Lodz,
Polish-Japanese Institute of Information Technology), 2 from theCzech Republic (Charles University in Prague, among others), and3 from Slovakia (Comenius University in Bratislava, University of
Presov in Presov).

Following the ceremony, in which Chancellor Mizuta presented
each student with their award certificates, two goodwill student
ambassadors from each country were appointed for the purpose ofextending cultural exchange with Japanese students.
Afterward, Rydz Tomasz of Poland and Toth Boglárka of Hungary,
representing this year’s award class for JU and JIU, respectively,
took the stage to give their acceptance speech and show theirdetermination. They thanked Chancellor Mizuta and others
involved for the fellowship award that will allow them to devote
full attention to their studies, “taking this study abroad year to learn
about Japan’s diverse cultural tradition, society, economic system,and other subjects.”
In closing, Chancellor Mizuta addressed the scholarship class, saying,“Given that this scholarship had in the past only included students
from three different countries, it is with pleasure that we are able towelcome three students from Slovakia for the first time this year. Thismeans that all four countries from the V4 are now represented. Pleasetake this opportunity to study many different things during yourtime in Japan. I’m sure that this precious experience will prove quite
valuable in your future career.”

Fellowship class representatives expressing their gratitude

Commemorative photo with Chancellor Mizuta and other fellowship representatives

Publications
Josai University Press Published CityU President Way Kuo’s Book
D a t e: April 2, 2014
Place: Josai International University, Chiba Togane Campus
On April 2, 2014, City University of Hong Kong President Way Kuo
visited Josai International University to attend the annual entrance
ceremony, followed by a dinner reception to commemorate the

Publications

publication of President Kuo’s book Issues and Prospects of Nuclear
Power Generation from the Perspective of a Scientist, the translationof which was overseen by JIU.

9

No.19 2014.9.30
With the formation of an academic exchange agreement with theCity University of Hong Kong in October 2012 and the study abroad
program “Explanation of Japanese Culture and Science,” to this pointJIU has sent 26 students to study at CityU while hosting 20 students
from that university.
Addressing the newly entering students at the ceremony, President
Kuo said, “Please take this opportunity to form relationships with yourprofessors and fellow students, while mastering your subjects and a foreign
language that is rooted in the strength of your own to develop a selfreliance, so that you may use your university experience as a springboard
toward a promising future.”
Following the ceremony, a dinner reception was held in honor of
President Way Kuo’s Japanese publication, Issues and Prospects of
Nuclear Power Generation from the Perspective of a Scientist. A teamcomprised of JIU’s Chinese faculty oversaw the translation of President
Kuo’s publication.
The reception included a rakugo performance in English by Shinoharu
Tatekawa. President Kuo and his delegation greatly enjoyed rakugo’s
unique brand of humor expressed in the English language, while also
appreciating it as a traditional Japanese art.
The reception was attened by many distinguished guests, including four
faculty members from CityU and former Tokyo University president
and advisor to the Ministry of Education and current president of theMusashi Academy of the Nezu Foundation, Akito Arima, Commissioner
for Cultural Affairs, Masanori Aoyagi, and former Tohoku University
president and current director of JIU’s Global Institute for Green
Materials, Akihisa Inoue from JIU.

(Left) President Way Kuo adresses at the reception, (Right) Published Kuo’s book10

● Access Map