Josai University Educational Corporation

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Josai Hosts Slovenia-Japan Symposium “Women Writers and Film Directors—Their Historical Significance” as Part of 50th Anniversary

On June 22, 2015, Josai University Educational Corporation’s Tokyo Kioicho Campus hosted the Slovenia-Japan Symposium “Women Writers and Film Directors―Their Historical Significance.” This symposium was organized as part of Josai’s 50th anniversary festivities and was cosponsored by the Embassy of Slovenia in Japan and the Josai International University’s Faculty of Media Studies and Institute for Gender and Women’s Studies.

Thanks to the support of Slovenian Ambassador to Japan Helena Drnovšek Zorko, Josai has successfully formed an academic exchange agreement with Slovenia’s University of Nova Gorica. Ambassador Zorko, who shares a great interest in gender issues, helped make this symposium possible through a partnership with Josai, which is known for its advanced program in women’s and gender studies. This symposium discussed the historical significance of film, literature, and feminism, as seen in the documentary film The Hidden Memory of Angela Vode, which depicts the human rights activist Angela Vode who was sent to a Nazi concentration camp during World War II and was later imprisoned by the Yugosalvian government.

At the symposium’s opening, Chancellor Noriko Mizuta provided introductory remarks. “This university is dedicated to the strengthening of relations with universities abroad, particularly those in Central and Eastern Europe. We would like to thank Ambassador Zorko for creating intellectual spaces to think about both Japan and the world,” she said. With that, Chancellor Mizuta presented Ambassador Zorko with the award of Honorary Professor. Ambassador Zorko then expressed her gratitude by saying, “We must part ways at the end of July, but I am overjoyed at having been able to create such a strong relationship with Josai.”

Chancellor Mizuta provides opening remarks

Chancellor Mizuta provides
opening remarks

Ambassador Zorko addresses the audience

Ambassador Zorko addresses
the audience

This was followed by a screening of the digest edition of The Hidden Memory of Angela Vode, in which the film’s director, Maja Weiss, provided commentary on the film and Vode’s career. “Above all else, Ms. Vode emphasized a freedom of the spirit,” she said. “I consider her a role model of free-spiritedness.”

The director, Maja Weiss, provides film commentary

The director, Maja Weiss, provides film commentary

Professor Poniž gives her keynote speech

Professor Poniž gives her keynote speech

Associate Professor of Slovenian Literature and University of Nova Gorica Chair of Humanities, Katja Mihurko Poniž, provided the keynote lecture. Following an intermission, film critic and Josai guest lecturer, Hide Murakawa; Associate Professor Kayo Takefuji; and lecturer Chiaki Hayashi engaged in a lively panel discussion on issues of human rights, gender, and the future of female authorship moderated by Professor Yasuko Wachi.

A look at the panel discussion

A look at the panel discussion














A commemorative photo with panelists and organizers

A commemorative photo with panelists and organizers

More than 160 students―both domestic and international―and faculty from Josai University and Josai International Universities listened with great attention for the duration of the symposium, which concluded with a post-event reception filled with casual conversation and a friendly atmosphere.

Our hope is that this symposium will result in even greater exchange between Josai and the University of Nova Gorica, as well as with Slovenia in general.


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