In May 2015, the Josai Center for ASEAN Studies (JCAS) was founded to promote our university’s education and research regarding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In November 2015, exchange students from various Southeast Asian countries and some of our Japanese students who had participated in student training programs for these students organized their own ASEAN Club. The New Year Gathering, which was held on January 19 in the Tokyo Kioicho Campus 3rd Building, also celebrated the friendship among these student groups.

Seventy-five students and faculty members attended the event, including Chancellor Noriko Mizuta. Altogether, ASEAN is comprised of ten different countries. Exchange students from seven ASEAN nations, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the gathering. Chancellor Mizuta offered words of encouragement to the students, saying, “Please do your best to study Japanese language and culture while you're studying here in Japan.” The event included dance performances by students from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Additionally, participants developed ASEAN Club student network and made plans to increase awareness about ASEAN. JCAS hopes for further collaboration with Southeast Asian countries in the future.