Josai University Educational Corporation

NEWS

Josai Delegation Visits Dalian, Shenyang

Josai Dalian-Northeastern University Alumni Association Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Josai University Educational Corporation


On May 30, 2015, a reception was held at a hotel in downtown Dalian to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Josai University Educational Corporation’s founding and the 4th meeting of the Josai Dalian-Northeastern University Alumni Association. The gathering was also used to commemorate the life of Mr. Takashi Murai, who passed away in 2014. Assistant Director of the School of Foreign Languages at the Dalian University of Technology and graduate of the Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program, You Zhishen, served as MC for the festivities.

Many participants gathered for the reception, including Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program graduates and current students, JMBA scholarship and joint education program alumni, recipients of the “Takashi Mukaibo Memorial” Takashi Murai and “Mikio Mizuta Memorial” Noriko Mizuta Scholarships, privately funded graduates of the exchange program, members of the Dalian People’s Foreign Friendship Association, and associates from the Dalian University of Technology, Dalian University of Foreign Languages, and Northeastern University who were close to Mr. Murai.

With Mizuta Scholarship recipients

With Mizuta Scholarship recipients

With Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program students

With Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program students

Chancellor Noriko Mizuta, overjoyed at the opportunity to see alumni again, said, “I would like to honor Mr. Murai’s dying wish by working to extend the cultivation of human resources in Japan and China all the more.”
  Josai honorary doctoral degree recipient and former advisor to the China Business Executives Academy, Dalian, Lin Anxi; former Secretary-General of the Dalian University of Technology, Zhang Dexiang; Dalian University of Technology professor and President of the Dalian China-Japan Alumni Association, Du Fenggang; Professor Chen Yan of the Dalian University of Foreign Languages; and others also provided words of greeting.
  The alumni gathered for the reception pledged to continue to work for the development of their field, Japanese language education, and their home institutions while contributing to facilitation of mutual understanding between China and Japan.
  In closing, as a gift to commemorate their 50th anniversary, the Josai Dalian-Northeastern University Alumni Association generously presented Josai with an acacia tree that serves as a symbol of Dalian and offered to provide a memento to decorate the Mikio Mizuta Gallery.

Commemorative photo with all alumni association members

Commemorative photo with all alumni association members

Memorial corner for Takashi Murai

Memorial corner for Takashi Murai

Josai Pays a Visit to President Sun Yuhua of the Dalian University of Foreign Languages


On the morning of June 2, 2015, the visiting Josai delegation held an informal talk with Dalian University of Foreign Languages’ President Sun Yuhua. This meeting occurred just after President Sun’s return from Russia and just prior to the delegation’s move to Shenyang. This meeting served as an opportunity not just to renew old friendship, but to discuss future plans for the two schools’ exchange program. Particular attention was given to Dalian’s plans for a new department in Senior Care, which they hope to develop in cooperation with Josai.
  In addition, President Sun, who specializes in Russian, provided a Russian translation of Chancellor Mizuta’s lyrical score “Unwritten Love Letter,” as a contribution to multilingual education.

The Dalian University of Foreign Languages Hosts International Symposium on “Contemporary Poetry and Translation”


On June 1, 2015 at 1:30 PM, an international joint symposium titled, “On Contemporary Poetry in Japan and China―Contemporary Poetry in Translation” was held at the Dalian University of Foreign Languages. The event was sponsored by the Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Josai University, and Josai International University, with the support of the Japan-China Association for Short Poetry.
  The first portion of the symposium began with opening remarks from Dalian University of Foreign Languages Vice President Liu Hong and Josai University Education Corporation Chancellor Noriko Mizuta. This was followed by a lecture on kanpai by Professor Chen Yan (Dalian University of Foreign Languages) and a talk on the stirring poem “The Voice of the River Goddess” by Professor Gozo Yoshimasu (poet, Josai International University).

Opening remarks from Chancellor Mizuta

Opening remarks from Chancellor Mizuta

Lecture on poetry by Prof. Chen Yan

Lecture on poetry by Prof. Chen Yan

Lecture from Gozo Yoshimasu

Lecture from Gozo Yoshimasu

The second section featured a reading by Gozo Yoshimasu, Noriko Mizuta, Xiao Xiao, Han Yan, Tian Yuan, and friends of the Carillon Road Group of quatrain’s composed for this symposium. After each poet’s reading of their work composed in their native language, DUFL students gave readings of the translated poems in Japanese. Perhaps the most moving thing was not just the students’ fluent Japanese pronunciation, but the glow in their eyes while they demonstrated an impeccable ability to capture the rhythm of each line and the emotion contained in the author’s verse. This proved to be an extremely fresh and significant exercise for both universities.

Reading from Ms. Xiao Xiao

Reading from Ms. Xiao Xiao

Reading from Chancellor Mizuta

Reading from Chancellor Mizuta

In the third section, a “Carillon Street” roundtable discussion on poetry and translation was held with Noriko Mizuta, Chen Yan, Du Fenggang, Liu Liguo, Gozo Yoshimasu, and Tian Yuan as participants. Many different perspectives and solutions on the difficulty of translation were expressed, with all participants agreeing on the critical nature of the topic.
  That this symposium on contemporary poetry and translation included the contributions of many poets and the collaboration of universities in both China and Japan is a considerable accomplishment for the field of education. This is a project that we hope to continue to pursue in the future.

Josai Visits Dalian University of Technology Secretary Wei Xiaopeng


On June 2, 2015 at 10:00 AM, a Josai University Educational Corporation delegation led by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta paid a visit to newly appointed Dalian University of Technology Secretary Wei Xiaopeng.
  Secretary Wei has been apprised of all the details and achievements of the Dalian-Josai academic exchange―including the awarding of scholarships, the Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program, the JMBA program, and the Mikio Mizuta Memorial Book Donation―and expressed his gratitude for each one during their visit. This being their first meeting, the delegation was grateful to enjoy such a long discussion with Secretary Wei and reconfirm their mutual pledge to value and build upon their relationship of academic exchange.

Meeting with DUT Secretary Wei Xiaopeng

Meeting with DUT Secretary Wei Xiaopeng

Receiving a framed photo of Mizuta sakura from DUT

Receiving a framed photo of Mizuta sakura from DUT

Dalian University of Technology Hosts Ceremony for “Takashi Mukaibo Memorial” Takashi Murai Scholarship, “Mikio Mizuta Memorial” Noriko Mizuta Scholarship, and 11th Mizuta Mikio Memorial Book Donation


On the morning of June 2, 2015, as an extension of Josai’s meeting with Secretary Wei Xiaopeng, a ceremony announcing this year’s recipients―numbering twenty in all―of the “Takashi Mukaibo Memorial” Takashi Murai and “Mikio Mizuta Memorial” Noriko Mizuta Scholarships was held at the Dalian University of Technology. This year’s recipients were selected from a prodigious pool of PhD and Master’s students who are deemed uniquely qualified to make valuable contributions to society and their academic fields alike. The ceremony was attended by many Dalian staff and faculty, beginning with Vice President Jia Zhenyuan.

Ceremony for the Mizuta Scholarship

Ceremony for the Mizuta Scholarship

This was followed by another ceremony for the Mizuta Mikio Memorial Book Donation, the catalog for which was presented by Josai professor Kazunobu Fukushima to the chair of the Dalian University of Technology’s Faculty of Management and Economics, Su Jingqing. The collection features numerous books and anthologies documenting Mikio Mizuta’s contributions to economic development, which, with this year’s donation, now numbers 883 titles in all. This year’s donation―the 11th thus far―of 64 titles includes white papers and government publications, new publications from the Josai University Educational Corporation, and bulletins from both JU and JIU, in addition to books on fostering women leaders. The memorial library, which is housed in DUT’s Faculty of Management and Economics, has fostered much use from scholars and graduate students interested in Japanese business and finance, as well as graduate students with plans to study at the JMBA program in Josai’s Faculty of Business Administration.

Presentation of the Mizuta Mikio Memorial Book Donation

Presentation of the Mizuta Mikio Memorial Book Donation

Josai Forms Agreement with Dongbei University of Finance and Economics


On June 2, 2015, the Josai delegation led by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta visited Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in the city of Dalian where they met with university president Xia Chunyu. The meeting was also attended on the Dongbei side by the Director of the International Exchange Center, Zhang Yuci; the Director of Graduate Studies, Zhao Jianguo; the Director of Academic Affairs, Zhang Juntao; the Director of the School of Public Administration, Zhang Xiangda; and Professor of Public Affairs, Liu Xiaomei.
  Founded in 1952, the Dongbei University of Finance and Economics is one of China’s foreknown commercial colleges, housing 25 departments―including the School of Public Finance and Taxation, School of Finance, School of Economics, School of Accounting, Law School, School of Tourism and Hotel Management, School of International Economics & Trade, and School of International Business―and an enrollment of approximately 19,000.
  In his opening remarks, President Xia said, “The Dongbei University of Finance and Economics would very much like to join forces with the Josai University Educational Corporation to create joint research and education programs in MBA education, regional medicine and welfare, medical tourism, and international nursing.”
  Chancellor Mizuta followed with a presentation on recent educational programs at JU and JIU, emphasizing their unique brand of international education. In addition, given the growing aging population in Japan, Chancellor Mizuta voiced her hope to further extend their partnership with Dongbei, starting with interdisciplinary joint education and research programs in business administration, medical welfare, environmental studies, and nursing.

Meeting with Dongbei University of Finance and Economics

Meeting with Dongbei University of Finance and Economics

The meeting concluded with the two parties signing a comprehensive agreement. Based on this agreement and with the progression of joint Japan-China studies, one can expect the development of many joint programs in finance, welfare, media, tourism, humanities, and environmental studies.

Displaying the agreement with university president Xia Chunyu

Displaying the agreement with university president Xia Chunyu

Dalian Writer’s Association Hosts Japan-China poetry reading in downtown Dalian


On June 2, 2015 at 4:30 PM, two leaders of Chinese contemporary poetry―Xi Chuan of Beijing and Xiao Xiao―ten local poets from Dalian, and leading Japanese poets Noriko Mizuta, Gozo Yoshimasu, and Tian Yuan gathered for a reading at downtown Dalian’s beautiful Kanfu Cultural Building.

Opening remarks from the poet Xi Chuan

Opening remarks from the poet Xi Chuan

Words of greeting from poet Noriko Mizuta

Words of greeting from poet Noriko Mizuta

The Japan-China poetry reading in progress

The Japan-China poetry reading in progress

Each poet contributed to this precious occasion with heartfelt and moving readings. After each reading, students from the Dalian University of Foreign Languages provided translations in either Japanese or Chinese, reflecting a unique beauty different from the originals and provoking gratitude from the poets. For the students as well, this proved to be an extremely valuable experience.












The poet Yoshimasu gives his reading

The poet Yoshimasu gives his reading

The quatrain performance

The quatrain performance

The Japanese works read for the event are scheduled to be published in the forthcoming issue of the local Dalian literary journal, Haiyan, which boasts a rich 60-year history.
  The reading opened with a beautiful koto performance from Jiang Cheng and Guan Jie, which led famous calligrapher Wang Qi to present a work of calligraphy to the poets to commemorate the event.

Presentation of commemorative calligraphy from the Chinese side

Presentation of commemorative calligraphy from the Chinese side

Commemorative performance with all participants

Commemorative performance with all participants

Northeastern University Hosts Keynote Lecture by Chancellor Mizuta, Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program Lecture


On June 4, 2015, Shenyang’s Northeastern University hosted a special keynote lecture by Honorary Northeastern Professor Noriko Mizuta with about 80 graduate and undergraduate students of Japanese language and culture in attendance.

Chancellor Mizuta delivers her special keynote lecture

Chancellor Mizuta delivers her special keynote lecture

This lecture was the second in an intensive lecture series organized by the Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program with the theme of “What is Literary Criticism?―The Birth of Literary Criticism and Western Modernization.” The lecture discussed how the origin of literary criticism in Japan can be traced back to the Meiji era where the genre emerged under the influence of the introduction of Western literature. This lecture, which situated a number of important texts for understanding literature and culture, visibly piqued the curiosity of not only students studying literature, but those interested in culture and linguistics as well.
  The keynote lecture was followed by the Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program lecture led by Visiting Lecturer of Humanities Sumito Miki and Associate Professor Miyako Okada. Professor Miki spoke first on the topic of “Reading the Journal of Tomiko Miyao (Before and After 1970),” which discussed the aforementioned author who settled in Manchukuo during the war effort and became an author following her repatriation. In addition, Professor Miki detailed the projects of Josai students currently working on Manchukuo literature while describing the path toward receiving one’s PhD. Associate Professor Okada spoke next on the topic of “Medieval Narrative Literature and Literary Style,” providing a useful overview of narrative literature and its linkage to epic literature.

Professor Miki during his lecture

Professor Miki during his lecture

Students in attendance, using the Japanese language as an intermediary, have the potential to serve as bridges not just between Japan and China, but China and the world, as well as Japan and the world. Shenyang’s Northeastern University and Josai already have developed many joint programs at the undergraduate as well as Master’s and doctoral studies level. Through these numerous programs, we hope to train Japanese and Chinese students alike into becoming global human resources.

Josai Pays a Courtesy Visit to Northeastern University President Zhao Ji


On June 4, 2015 at 5:00 PM, the Josai delegation held a meeting with newly appointed Northeastern University President Zhao Ji. President Zhao is well informed of the deep relationship between Josai and Northeastern and expressed his particular gratitude for the Japan-China Joint Doctoral Program.
  President Zhao, who also has experience studying abroad in Japan, expressed his high hopes for the joint education graduate program in global communication, with both sides stating their dedication to future support of human resource development.

With Northeastern President Zhao Ji

With Northeastern President Zhao Ji

Commemorative photo with Northeastern University members

Commemorative photo with Northeastern University members

The group was later joined by university vice presidents Jiang Maofa and Sun Lei and, following a guided tour of the vast Northeastern campus, clearly recognized the potential for continued partnership with the university. Having already established a successful history of exchange, we hope to develop this program even further.


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