July 31, 2017
On July 12, the Japan Foundation Budapest Director TADA Sanae gave a lecture at the Kobe University Graduate School of Humanities on the theme of “Central and Eastern Europe and Japan: An activity report for the Japan Foundation Budapest”. Approximately 50 people including faculty, staff and students attended the lecture.
In October 2015 Kobe University established a Liaison Office in Krakow, Poland, in order to expand education and research activities in Central and Eastern Europe. The University has been actively involved in collaborating on international exchange projects with the Japan Foundation Budapest, notably the joint hosting of a seminar on the Olympics (Budapest, November 2016). In 2017 our institutions concluded a Memorandum of Understanding, and Kobe University students are participating in internships at the Japan Foundation Budapest.
This lecture was held to deepen understanding among Kobe University faculty, staff and students about relations between Japan and countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The lecture featured an activity report for the Japan Foundation Budapest, and it provided an opportunity to learn about the Japanese language education and research on Japanese culture taking place in Central and Eastern Europe.
During her visit to the University, on July 11 Director TADA gave a talk for students at the Graduate School of Humanities on relations between Japan and countries in Central and Eastern Europe. On July 12 she met with Professor INOUE Noriyuki (Executive Vice President in Charge of International Exchange), Professor OGAWA Matsuto (Executive Vice President in Charge of Research) and Professor YUI Kiyomitsu (Executive Assistant to the President in Charge of International Collaboration) to discuss strengthening collaboration between our institutions. This meeting was a meaningful opportunity to promote the internationalization of our University, including discussions on joint programs and strengthening our partnership.
Kobe University will continue to use our Liaison Base in Krakow to organize international exchange activities and further expand cooperation with Europe in education and research.

(International Affairs Planning Division)