Between February and March, we welcomed three student delegations from Tokai University.
The Judo Club delegation: The first group to arrive was the Judo Club. Their visit began in Copenhagen, where they spent a few days at the Tokai University European Center (TUEC) in Vedbæk. During their stay, they enjoyed a sightseeing tour of Copenhagen, accompanied by TUEC staff. Following their time in the capital, the delegation traveled to Vejle to take part in the annual Matsumae Cup, held from February 14 to 17. The Medical School delegation: The second delegation came from the School of Medicine and consisted of 12 students and 2 teachers. They visited Denmark from February 23 to March 1. During their stay, they followed a program prepared by the TUEC staff. The group visited two general practitioners, the Association of General Practitioners, and the Danish Agency for Digitalization, where Ph.D. Karen Ejersbo Iversen gave a presentation on digitalization in Denmark, including a comparison with Japan's digital infrastructure. They also toured the Medical Museion in Copenhagen and visited the University of Copenhagen’s medical school, where a local medical student provided a guided campus tour. Another highlight was their visit to Statens Serum Institut (the State Serum Institute), where they learned about the institute’s work and had the opportunity to see the laboratories and sample storage facilities. Later in the program, the delegation visited the University of Copenhagen’s South Campus to attend a cultural exchange event called The Japanese Café, organized weekly by students from the Japanese Studies department. On their final day, they visited a care facility, where they learned about the daily routines of caregivers, the structure of elderly care services, and the range of social activities provided for residents. After the visit, the group had free time to explore Copenhagen, do some sightseeing, and enjoy a bit of shopping before returning to Japan the following day. The School of Childhood Education delegation: The third delegation came from the School of Childhood Education and consisted of 15 students and 2 teachers. They visited Denmark from March 2 to March 11, following a program prepared by the TUEC staff. During their stay, the group visited two kindergartens—one a more traditional urban kindergarten, and the other a forest kindergarten. At both locations, the students learned about different approaches to early childhood education in Denmark and were surprised by some of the cultural differences. For example, it is common for infants in Denmark to nap outdoors in baby strollers, even during winter. Danish children also typically spend much more time outside compared to their Japanese counterparts, who are usually indoors. The visiting students brought origami paper and had the chance to interact with the children by teaching them how to fold various figures. On another day, the group visited a private school for gifted children, where the principal explained that only students with a certain IQ level are eligible to attend. The delegation observed classes, learned about the school’s teaching methods, and had the opportunity to ask a few questions to both students and teachers during lessons, while being careful not to disrupt the classes. The group also visited UC Absalon, a Danish teacher training college. There, they observed a class in session and had the opportunity to speak with Danish students in smaller groups. The Danish students had been given a small assignment to come up with fun and creative ways to teach children—such as through games, songs, and playful activities—which they then shared with the Japanese delegation. The visit also provided insight into the structure of the Danish teacher education program, including how the degree is organized, the balance between theoretical coursework and practical training, and the various subject specializations available to student teachers. Another highlight was the visit to Grundtvigs Højskole, where the students learned about Denmark’s unique folk high school tradition. They toured the dormitories and communal spaces—many of which had been built or decorated by the students themselves—and enjoyed lunch at the school before heading to nearby Frederiksborg Castle. Over the weekend, the students had time off to explore on their own. Some joined TUEC staff at the University of Copenhagen South Campus to experience a Friday Bar, a popular social event among Danish students. Others chose to go sightseeing or attended a football match in Copenhagen. On their final day, the group visited a public school to compare it with the private school they had seen earlier. They observed several classes, including an arts and crafts lesson that left a strong impression on the Japanese students. The teacher instructed the students to pick up from where they had left off in the previous session, and the class got to work building a festival chair. Working in groups, the children engaged in various tasks such as sawing, drilling, screwing, painting, and even sewing fabric. What stood out most to the Japanese students was the contrast in teaching style. In Japan, a similar class would likely be more structured and rigid, with all students doing the same task at the same time under close supervision from the teacher. However, in this Danish class, there was a greater sense of freedom. The children worked on different tasks simultaneously, with less direct oversight from the teacher. This more independent and flexible approach left a strong impact on the visiting students, who were surprised by how the Danish classroom environment encouraged creativity and self-directed learning. The following day, the delegation returned home to Japan after a full and enriching week in Denmark.
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On 7 February, The Japan Alumni and Researcher Assembly (JARA) was held at the University of Copenhagen. JARA seeks to foster networking within Denmark's Japan-focused research community. It provides a platform for researchers, professionals, and students to connect, exchange ideas, and advance Japan-related research and scholarship opportunities.
The opening remarks were given by the Ambassador of Japan in Denmark, His Excellency Hideki Uyama, the Director of JSPS Stockholm Office, Professor Kazuyuki Kuroda, and finally, the Director – Head of Research at Tokai University European Center, Dr. Manami Hori. Afterwards, the first lecture was held by Dr. Karen Ejersbo Iversen (Chief Adviser, The National ICT Council Secretariat, Ministry of Finance, Denmark) about her research on the public sector digitalization changes in Japan and her stay at Tokai University in 2024. This was followed by a short presentation about scholarships by the Embassy of Japan. The next lecture was held by Dr. Mollie Brooks (Senior Researcher, Technical University of Denmark, JSPS ACD BRIDGE Fellow 2023) about her research and experience during her BRIDGE Fellowship in 2023. A short presentation about exchange opportunities and scholarships was given by JSPS Stockholm and Tokai University European Center. Finally, some closing remarks from JSPS Alumni Club Denmark were followed by a reception with a bit of sushi and time to be sociable with the other participants. A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in this event. A heartfelt thank you to all the co-organizers of this event for their support and collaboration: On January 30th our Director - Head of Research, Dr. Manami Hori performed a Lecture called: "Shortage of Human Resources in Japan's Super-Ageing Society: Challenges for health care industries". The lecture tackled the complex issues of Japan’s declining birth-rate and how it impacts shortage of manpower, especially in the health care and elderly care sectors. This year marks the well-known term ‘the 2025 problem’, which refers to the year when the post-war baby boom generation will be aged 75 or older, as well as the target year for various policy issues related to social security, such as medical care, nursing care and pensions.
Dr. Hori presented various research results showing just how affected the different sectors both within and without the health care industry have been and will continue to become. The target for policy issues is shifting to 2040, when the second baby boom generation will reach retirement age. However, if the 2025 problem isn’t properly handled Japan will face even more adversity moving forward to the 2040 mark, meaning even more serious measures will have to be taken. While Dr. Hori confirms the need for a long-sighted plan focusing on the declining birth-rate, her research increases the awareness of the major impact this is already having today. For Japan, she argues, must face the issue of human shortage already occuring before it can prepare itself for even more disparity in age amongst the coming generations. This was Dr. Hori’s last lecture here at the Tokai University European Center before her travel back to Japan here in mid-March. Many colleagues of hers showed up as well as other associates within the health care research area. Tokai Alumni Association members were also attending this Lecture, as well as other friends of Tokai and some members of the Denmark Japan Association. H.E. Ambassador Mr. Uyama was also present at the Seminar and was so kind as to say a few words about Dr. Manami Hori and her stay in Denmark whilst doing her research and working as a Director for TUEC. Another speaker at the Seminar was Chairman of the Tokai Alumni Association Board, Sam Kondo Steffensen, who also had a few things about Dr. Hori’s stay in Denmark and all that she has done to help the Center and the Tokai Alumni Association. Lastly, Dr. Hori’s colleague and friend Professor Theis Lange, spoke about how Dr. Hori has actively participated in and enhanced the research at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Copenhagen University. We at TUEC are extremely grateful for Dr. Manami Hori’s stay in Denmark for the past two years and all her contributions, especially those regarding the fostering of both old and new collaborations, as well the expansion of mutual understanding between researchers across cultures - paving the way for a hopeful future through strengthening the bonds between our nations. We would also like to thank everyone who attended the Lecture both in person and online, and everyone who has been actively involved in assisting Dr. Hori’s endeavor’s here in Denmark leading up to this last big event greeting her farewell before her return to Japan. On December the 20th last year (2024) we had the honor of welcoming visitors from Tokai Affiliated High Schools to our facilities here at Tokai University European Center.
Their visit was a part of their 40th European Study Trip, whose purpose was to have the students experience both Denmark and other parts of Europe for themselves, as way of learning about the origins of the philosophies on which the Tokai Educational System is built upon. This 40th European Study Trip had been postponed since 2020 because of coronavirus and the war between Russia and Ukraine, making it an important turning point where more than 90 students in total participated. During their visit here at Tokai University European Center, the students performed a flower offering in front of the commemorative stone for Tokai’s founder Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae, which is placed at our Centers Garden. After this the students were divided into two groups where each group took turns to receive a guided tour of the Centers Facilities done by Director Jakob Skyt Jensen. Simultaneously the groups also took turns in attending a lecture about the Centers history, role and connection to Tokai’s ideological roots, which was held by Director Dr. Manami Hori in the assembly hall. Here at the Center, we enjoyed experiencing the presence of so many curious students that were eager to learn about Danish history and culture and its relation to the founding of Tokai. We hope that the visit offered some insight and inspiration and helped strengthening the important bonds between the students, the center, Denmark, Europe and other countries as well. On December the 12th, we once again had the honour of hosting a Lecture by Associate Professor Raymond Yamamoto on Japanese Politics. This time around it was about the 2024 House of Representatives Election.
Raymond Yamamoto is Associate Professor at the Department of Global Studies, Aarhus University, Denmark. His research focuses on contemporary Japanese politics and international relations of the Asia-Pacific. He is also Adjunct Fellow at the Pacific Forum, Honolulu, USA. The lecture presented the key points of the past year in Japanese Politics. The main focus being how and why the LDP suffered one of its worst losses in its history during the snap election following a series of internal scandals. The presentation was wrapped up with a discussion on how this might influence Japan’s domestic and foreign policies, and there were many curious attendees with relevant questions both in the lecture hall and online through Zoom. We would, once again, like to express our gratitude to Associate Professor Raymond Yamamoto and to all the attendees of this lecture. From August to September, we had the honor of receiving two Study Groups from Tokai University: One from the Department of Health and one from the Department of Nursing.
The delegation from the Department of Health: This Study Group consisted of two teachers and nine students who stayed at our facility from August 25th till September 1st. Their general focus during their stay was on the Danish society’s way of managing public health, welfare and elderly care. Their Study Program was therefore aimed at these subject and it included visits to:
The students also partook in various social engagements, such as a social exchange gathering with students at Copenhagen University, a Garden Party at TUEC, as well as a visit to the homes of a selected group of Danish elderly citizens. These activities allowed them to both practice their English language skills, as well learn about Danish culture. After their stay here at TUEC the Study Group continued their program in Aarhus where they visited VIA College and Aarhus University. The delegation from the Department of Nursing: This Study Group arrived shortly after the former one and stayed at TUEC from August 29th till September 5th. This group consisted of one teacher and ten students. We had also arranged a Study Program during their stay which was mainly focused on Danish nursing and elderly care. Our great partners at University College Deaconess (UCD) once again made it possible to make a great program for the students, as they (co-)arranged several parts of it. The program itself included a visit to UCD, with an extensive tour of the school, as well as a thorough explanation on how they teach nursing to their students. The Study Group from Tokai also did a presentation on their studies and everyday life in Japan in front of students from Deaconess. Following this, they all discussed the differences and similarities between Denmark and Japan in these regards. Other parts of the Study Program included, amongst others, visits to:
As with the Department of Health Group, the Department of Nursin Study Group also participated in the Garden Party at TUEC. This allowed them chance to talk with fellow students from both Denmark and Japan, socialize and share ideas together. We’re very grateful for the experience with these intercultural and cross-sectional exchanges during the stay of both Study Groups from respectively Tokai’s Department of Health Management and of Nursing. In the future, we hope to have many more of such arrangements where each staff or faculty member and student can share their personal understandings with one another to help broaden each other’s viewpoints and collaborate better. We once again hosted our annual Japanese Culture Day at our facilities here in Vedbæk. We were delighted to see so many happy visitors this year! We hope you had as much fun as we did, and we wish to see you again next year - or sooner! We cannot thank all of our contributors of the Culture Day enough, links to their respective pages can be found below! We would once again like to thank each and every one of the contributors, volunteers and participants - you all made this years culture day the biggest yet. We hope to see you all agian soon!
- The TUEC Team The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) will in the coming years open its doors to a new campus in Vejle. The campus will be focused on IT, AI, and Computer Science university degrees. We had the honor of hosting and participating in a meeting regarding the future of both the city of Vejle, SDU Vejle, and a possible academic and cultural collaboration between Tokai University, The Tokai University European Center, The University of Southern Denmark, and the city of Vejle.
Here at The Tokai University European Center, our goal has always been to strive to establish and foster international academic and cultural collaboration. We sincerely hope that the future of TUEC, SDU, and Vejle will be full of cooperation, and we believe that our future will be brighter together! The amazing Associate Professor Jens Sejrup, Ph.D. visited us here at The Tokai University European Center, where he gave a lecture on historic authenticity in reconstructed historic locations. It was an honor to host the event, and seeing our lectureroom almost filled to the brim brought us undesribeable joy. We would, once again, like to thank both Jens Sejrup and the many antendees of the lecture evenings. From August to September 2023, we received students from Tokai University, for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. Three students and two teachers from the Department of Health Management at Tokai University visited Denmark between August 27th and September 3rd. Besides the program drafted for them in Copenhagen by TUEC, they also paid a visit to VIA University College in Aarhus, which had made a one day program for the group. Furthermore, seven students and one teacher from the Department of Global Studies visited Denmark between August 31st and September 10th. This group also paid a visit to Aarhus, where the Department of Global Studies had planned a workshop and other activities for the group. |
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April 2025
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