Josai University Educational Corporation

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Josai Hosts 1st “Irish Café”

On June 24, 2016, Josai University Educational Corporation invited former Professor of Kobe University, Taketoshi Furomoto, for the 1st “Irish Café” held in the International Conference Room in the 3rd Building of the Tokyo Kioicho campus. In March of last year, with the cooperation of Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, and the Irish Embassy, Josai began a course of academic exchange with the University of Limerick in Ireland, with both schools instituting joint research programs starting this year. More than 120 people attended the event, including Mr. Yonekura, Josai students, and faculty members.

Mr. Furomoto graduated from the Literature Department of Kyoto University in 1958, and has served as a faculty member at both Kobe and Aichi Gakuin Universities. He was also President of the Japan branch of the International Association for the Study of Irish Literature. His works include The Power to See the Unseeable and Half-Step Literary Theory.

Chancellor Noriko Mizuta made introductory remarks, saying, “Professor Furomoto is a renowned scholar in the field of English literature and one of the foremost figures in Irish studies. I am sure that his lecture today will foster a greater appreciation of Ireland among us, the listeners.”
  Professor Furomoto’s lecture, entitled “A Message from Ireland,” gave an overview of Irish history and described the development of Irish studies in Japan as well as an analysis of ancient stone circles and spiritual ideas of transmigration and transformation which suggest certain similarities between Irish and Japanese culture.

In conclusion, Professor Furomoto touched on the ongoing struggles in Northern Ireland by saying, “What is often cited in the context of this struggle is the idea of “diversity within uniformity.’ Ireland recognizes the merit of respecting minority opinions among a diversity of views. This is the biggest message that Ireland sends out to the world.” He also added that, “Within a compact population and area, the Irish share a common culture which will endlessly link their people together. The example of Ireland I believe provides a valuable lesson for us today.”
  Mr. Yonekura also participated in the Q&A which followed by responding to students’ questions about the current state of the Irish economy.

Mr. Furomoto delivers his lecture

Mr. Furomoto delivers his lecture

An audience of 120 listen attentively

An audience of 120 listen attentively

Mr. Furomoto receives a bouquet from an exchange student

Mr. Furomoto receives a bouquet from an exchange student


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