Josai University Educational Corporation

NEWS

Concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Josai University Educational Corporation

On April 20, 2015, Josai University Educational Corporation organized a concert at Josai University’s Sakado Campus’s Seiko Hall (Saitama prefecture, Sakado city) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. Our university seeks to strengthen international exchange and actively pursue exchanges with other universities in the world. Last year, our university has particularly strengthened international exchange with universities in central European countries and ASEAN countries. Starting with the Budapest Business School in 2007, our university has now signed academic exchange agreement with nine universities in Hungary and particularly developed student exchange with Hungary. This concert featured performances by musicians who have deep ties with Hungary.

Before the concert, Chancellor Noriko Mizuta greeted the audience saying “Today we begin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of our university. In addition to promoting international education, our relationship with Hungary has become a great strength. Starting with Liszt, Hungary has produced many distinguished musicians. Please enjoy today’s concert given by active musicians.” Following Chancellor Mizuta welcome words, István Szerdahelyi, Hungarian ambassador to Japan, expressed his gratitude saying “When leading Hungarian figures come to Japan, they are always invited by Josai University and I see the excellent results of this relationship. I am very gratefully that you can all listen to Hungarian music today.”

Chancellor Mizuta welcoming the audience

Chancellor Mizuta welcoming
the audience

Ambassador Szerdahelyi greeting the audience

Ambassador Szerdahelyi greeting
the audience

The concert started with Miyuji Kaneko’s (whose father is Japanese and mother Hungarian) piano performance of Chopin’s Polonaise No. 6 “Heroique.” The concert then featured 14 pieces interpreted by Budapest born István Kohán (clarinet), Miwako Handa (soprano) and Reiko Szerdahelyi (piano, Ambassador Szerdahelyi’s wife) who played Liszt’s Concolation No. 3 and Hungarian compositor Bartók’s Roman nepi tancok as well as Japanese songs by Yoshinao Nakada and “Hana” by Rentaro Taki. This beautifully cheerful concert was attended by about 500 people including Akiko Igaya, managing director of the Japan-Hungary Friendship Association, members from this association as well as faculty members, students and exchange students.

The concert hall was filled to full capacity

The concert hall was filled to full capacity

Miyuji Kaneko (back) and Reiko Szerdahelyi’s performance

Miyuji Kaneko (back) and Reiko Szerdahelyi’s performance

Duo by Miyuji Kaneko and István Kohán (right)

Duo by Miyuji Kaneko and István Kohán (right)

Miwako Handa signing Japanese songs (right)

Miwako Handa signing Japanese songs (right)

The song “Hana” as an encore

The song “Hana” as an encore

Commemoration picture with all the participants

Commemoration picture with all the participants

Miyuji Kaneko and István Kohán interacting with Hungarian exchange students

Miyuji Kaneko and István Kohán interacting with
Hungarian exchange students

Following this concert, we are expecting that exchanges between our university and Hungary as well as between our university and Hungarian universities will develop more and more.

Our university was established in April 1965 by Mikio Mizuta, who held various political offices including that of Minister of Finance, with the goal of “Character building through learning.” In 1983 a women community college was open by Josai University (which afterwards became Josai Base College), then in 1992 Josai International University opened in Togane, Chiba prefecture. In 2005, a central campus was opened in Kioicho (Tokyo, Chiyodaku) to bring together our three universities.


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