The UCD Centre for Japanese Studies hosted the second Interdisciplinary Japanese Studies seminar at MoLI on 20 October 2023, 1-2:30pm [IST], in cooperation with the UCD Centre for Asia Pacific Research.
On this special occasion, Professor Shinichi Kitaoka (formerly at the Graduate School of Law and Politics, University of Tokyo, former President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and former Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations) visited UCD and MoLI, after his visits to several countries in Africa.
The Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Mr Norio Maruyama opened the seminar, followed by Prof. Kitaoka’s lecture on recent developments in Japan’s security and foreign policy.
From L to R: Adjunct Prof. John Neary (JaSt & Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice / Former Irish Ambassador to Japan), Prof. Shinichi Kitaoka (JICA), H.E. Ambassador Mr Norio Maruyama, Assoc. Prof. Nao Kodate
Prior to the seminar, he visited the Belfield campus (JaSt & College of Social Sciences and Law) and discussed the turbulent world affairs with VP for Global Engagement, Prof. Dolores O’Riordan, VP for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion & College Principal, Social Sciences and Law, Prof. Colin Scott, Adjunct Prof. John Near (JaSt / former Irish Ambassador to Japan), Prof. Ben Tonra (School of Politics and International Relations) and Assoc. Prof. Alex Dukalskis (School of Politics and International Relations / Dir., UCD Centre for Asia Pacific Research.), Visiting Prof. Iwao Osaka (JaSt / Komazawa University, Tokyo), Assoc. Prof. Kodate (Dir. JaSt / School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice) and Prof. Emma Sokell (Deputy Director, JaSt / Head of School, School of Physics) and others who gathered to welcome him to the university.
From L to R: Nobuko Ijichi (JaSt / CEGL), Prof. Iwao Osaka (JaSt / Geary Institute), Prof. Ben Tonra (School of Politics and International Relations), Assoc. Prof. Alex Dukalskis (School of Politics and International Relations / Dir. UCD Centre for Asia Pacific Research), Assoc. Prof. Nao Kodate, Dr Tomoko Ono (JICA), Prof. Emma Sokell (Deputy Dir. JaSt / Head of School, Physics), Prof. Shinichi Kitaoka (JICA), Prof. Dolores O’Riordan (VP for Global Engagement), Prof. Colin Scott (College Principal, Social Sciences and Law/ VP for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion), Varee Chaitaveepporn (School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice / Royal Thai Government Scholarship Doctorate Student)
Professor Kitaoka’s visit was instigated by JaSt’s Visiting Professor Iwao Osaka, as he was a former student of Prof. Kitaoka. To meet and listen to his special lecture, other former students from the University of Tokyo, and researchers/students in nursing at Osaka University flew from Japan. It also provided an opportunity for an impromptu reunion of the University of Tokyo graduates in Dublin!
From L to R: Assoc. Prof. Naonori Kodate (Dir., UCD-JaSt), Mr Kōzō Saiki (JETRO Brussels), Prof. Iwao Osaka (UCD-JaSt / Komazawa University, Tokyo), Prof. Shinichi Kitaoka (JICA), Mr Takaaki Kawakami (Gourmet Kineya Co., Ltd.), H.E. Mr Norio Maruyama (Ambassador of Japan in Ireland).
Professor Kitaoka donated his three books to the UCD Centre for Japanese Studies’ Dr TP Hardiman Book Collection.
