The UAB inaugurates the Sakura Network Office for Japanese Studies
On 14 October, the UAB inaugurated its Office for Japanese Studies, a centre that aims to promote the study and research of the Japanese language and culture here in Catalonia, and which receives recognition of the Japan Foundation, an institution backed by the Japanese government. The UAB—the university in Spain with the largest number of Japanese students and the first one to offer official Japanese language exams—is the first in Spain to have a Sakura Network Office for Japanese Studies, as well as the only university to also house official cultural institutions from China, South Korea and Japan.
The Sakura Network forms part of the Japan Foundation, the governmental institution dedicated to the promotion of the Japanese language and culture around the world. This network is dedicated to the constant improvement in Japanese studies. The new headquarters, located in Research Module A at the UAB Research Park, will allow UAB members dedicated to the teaching of Japanese studies to have direct contact with the Japan Foundation, become involved in projects to improve the teaching of Japanese language and culture, and promote cultural and informational activities. According to Kei Matsushima, director of the new office, many activities have been programmed, such as open language courses to be offered starting in February.
UAB Rector Javier Lafuente and Consul General of Japan in Barcelona Yasushi Sato unveiled a plaque at the entrance of the new office and then the official inauguration of the academic year took place at the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting. During his speech, Consul Sato highlighted the importance of the academic field of translation and interpreting in “creating bridges between different cultures and languages” given that “language is more than just a communication tool, it is a personal way of thinking and seeing the world”. Vice Rector for International Relations Màrius Martínez stated the “enormous pleasure and satisfaction” it was for the university to welcome the office and the fact that it represented being able to offer resources “to all of those studying Japanese”. Vice Rector Martínez also pointed out that the new Office for Japanese Studies now forms part of the linguistic and cultural delegations from Portugal, South Korea and China, all with headquarters at the UAB.
Following the speeches, there was a musical performance by Hibiki Ichikawa, master in shamisen, a traditional three-stringed Japanese musical instrument dating back to the 15th century, popularly used by geishas and in Kabuki plays.
Japan, China and South Korea
The UAB, the only university in Catalonia to offer East Asian studies at both bachelor's and master's degree level, consolidates itself with this new office as a leading higher education institution in relations not only with Japan, but with all of East Asia, since it achieves its objective of establishing direct ties with official cultural institutions of the three countries presents at university: the Research Module A also houses the headquarters of the Confucius Institute in Barcelona, for Chinese studies, and the King Sejong Institue in Barcelona, for Korean studies, both of which perform the same tasks as the Spanish government's Instituto Cervantes or the Catalan government's Institut Ramon Llull.
The UAB, with Sustainable Development Goals
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