On July 10, 2015, as part of Josai University Educational Corporation’s (Noriko Mizuta, Chancellor) 50th anniversary, Studio Ghibli Managing Producer Toshio Suzuki gave a lecture entitled “Animation from Japan to the World: Art, Technology, and Production” at the Tokyo Kioicho Campus.

This event was organized as part of Josai’s 50th anniversary festivities and the Mikio Mizuta Memorial Lecture Series, which invites distinguished guests with exceptional academic accomplishments and domestic and global influence to speak about global human resource cultivation. Mr. Suzuki was the fourth speaker in the series following lectures by former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohammad on 5/21, Harvard Professor Emeritus Ezra F. Vogel on 6/13, and Nobel Prize winner for Physics Makoto Kobayashi on 7/9.

Mr. Suzuki was born in 1948 in the city of Nagoya. After graduating from the Literature department of Keio University, Mr. Suzuki began working for Tokuma Shoten Publishing. He then worked as a writer for Asahi Entertainment Weekly and editor for Animage, before joining Studio Ghibli. Mr. Suzuki has produced many Ghibli films including those by renowned directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki. Some of his major production credits include Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, The Wind Rises, and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. This particular lecture was made possible with the help of Naoki Sato, President of the Nikkatsu Corporation.

Chancellor Mizuta provided opening remarks for the lecture at the Kioicho Campus’ 1st building hall. “If you talk to exchange students, many will say that their interest in coming to Japan was first sparked through the medium of animation. This demonstrates the tremendous influence animation has on young people not only in Japan but worldwide, as well as its ability to change culture. I am hoping that this lecture will prove to be a significant and enjoyable experience,” she said.

This lecture was conducted with Director of Josai’s Japan Asia Image and Professor of the Division of Critical Studies School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California Akira Mizuta Lippit serving as interviewer. Mr. Suzuki described his job as producer as being a “jack-of-all-trades, but above all else a friend to the director and a trustworthy confidant who maintains this environment throughout the creative process.” Regarding production, he said, “I have never once held a production meeting. The plan instead emerges through everyday conversation and idle talk.” Mr. Suzuki also provided fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about the production of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, and other films.
　 Mr. Suzuki also discussed the difference in response to Studio Ghibli films overseas and his own personal favorite films. Regarding the latter, he said, “Since being on break, I’ve been collecting all the Woody Allen films that had such an influence on me.” Mr. Suzuki revealed that Hayao Miyazaki―who has recently retired from directing feature length films―is currently in production of a short animated film in 3DCG called “The Caterpillar’s Rags” that will be screened at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. “Directors like Spielberg and Lucas created new trends in cinema, but we are still awaiting the arrival of a new cinema. This is what Miyazaki is attempting to do in 3D. I think it’s really incredible,” he said.
　 During the Q&A session, Mr. Suzuki was asked what his driving force was, to which he answered, “You can’t do anything on your own. You have to find someone you can work with. The role of friends is really important.” He then added, “In the case of Miyazaki and I, we’d fight each other tooth and nail, while thinking, ‘Am I really going to lose to this guy?’ That’s my driving force,” drawing laughs from the audience.

In the lecture hall and the large classrooms where the lecture was broadcast, JIU media studies students, Josai faculty and students, and exchange students alike were able to enjoy Mr. Suzuki’s lecture, which abounded with humor and amusing anecdotes.