Global Japan Office to be Established at VMU

Recently, Vytautas Magnus University was proposed to establish Global Japan Office, which is to be coordinated by Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS). This is to become the first centre of this kind in North East Europe.

GJO is based on the TUFS worldwide network of institutions that help to develop Japanese studies, coordinated by Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. In 2014, TUFS was recognized by Japanese Government as one of the Top Global universities in Japan, and since then the establishment of GJOs was started. The establishment of GJO in Kaunas is planned in mid-March.

Presently, 11 Global Japan offices are established, and they are hosted by prestigious universities, such as SOAS, University of London, University of Salamanca, Cairo University, Shanghai International Studies University, Tamkang University, Hanguk University of Foreign Studies, etc. The present list of GJOs can be found here (Japanese version).

The negotiations between VMU and TUFS started 3 years ago, when the head of the centre for Asian Studies, Dr. Aurelijus Zykas visited this University which is based in Tokyo. In 2015, the negotiations were marked by the official visit by the VMU Resctor Prof Zigmas Lydeka and delegation. TUFS is one of the few universities in Asia providing Lithuanian language studies, and Lithuanian language teacher, Dr Eiko Sakurai contributed much for the establishment of GJO.