Exchange of Opinions with People from Iwate University
2023/4/21
On April 13, as part of an exchange program between the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and its partner, Iwate University (IU), five graduate students (Mone Ueno, Narumi Yoshii, Kenshiro Oikawa, Naofumi Sasaki, and Zen Tamura), and five professors (Dr. Shin Koshiya, Dr. Toshinori Ogasawara, Dr. Kunihiro Fukutome, Associate Dr. Shinsuke Okada, Dr. Hidekazu Yamamoto) from Iwate University visited the Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage. Dr. Hiroko Harada, Professor & Coordinator of UAA Japanese Program and Director of the Montgomery Dickson Center for Japanese Language & Culture also joined.
In the beginning, IU Professor Koshiya gave the following explanation:
“The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami claimed the life of Montgomery (Monty) Dickson, a UAA alumna, working as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) for the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture. In 2013, Monty’s teacher and advisor, Dr. Harada, visited the Iwate University Center for Regional Disaster Research. Through exchanges following the visit and the exchange agreement established between IU and UAA in 2016, the idea emerged to jointly create a Disaster Preparedness Drill Book for ALT’s to help them cope with natural disasters in Japan. We started the joint project the following year but had to pause due to COVID-19. We are pleased to finally have an environment where we can resume exchange activities, including the joint project.
Mr. Aniya explained the business and activities of the diplomatic missions overseas, including the Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage, especially the political and economic information-gathering activities. He explained events for promoting the bilateral friendship between Japan and Alaska (photo-essay campaign, online Arctic symposium). In addition, in response to questions from graduate students and professors, he explained in detail the operations of diplomatic missions abroad, such as measures to ensure continuity of know-how in information gathering activities by the consular office.
Afterwards, Iwate University students were briefed on their duties by Consul Nishizawa and Consul Komatsu.
The Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage looks forward to further proactive achievements made by Japanese youth and their success in the international arena.
The faculty members from the Iwate University are:
Dr. Shin Koshiya, Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Dr. Toshinori Ogasawara, Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Dr. Kunihiro Fukutome, Professor, Faculty of Research Center for Regional Disaster Management
Dr. Shinsuke Okada, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Dr. Hidekazu Yamamoto, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering
(The following are the majors of Iwate University graduate students.)
Ms. Mone Ueno: Water Disaster Prevention Engineering, Hydro Laboratory
Ms. Narumi Yoshii: Water Disaster Prevention Engineering, Hydro Laboratory
Mr. Kenshiro Oikawa: Earthquake and Geophysical Exploration
Mr. Naofumi Sasaki: Geology
Mr. Tomo Tamura: Seismic and Geophysical Exploration
In the beginning, IU Professor Koshiya gave the following explanation:
“The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami claimed the life of Montgomery (Monty) Dickson, a UAA alumna, working as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) for the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture. In 2013, Monty’s teacher and advisor, Dr. Harada, visited the Iwate University Center for Regional Disaster Research. Through exchanges following the visit and the exchange agreement established between IU and UAA in 2016, the idea emerged to jointly create a Disaster Preparedness Drill Book for ALT’s to help them cope with natural disasters in Japan. We started the joint project the following year but had to pause due to COVID-19. We are pleased to finally have an environment where we can resume exchange activities, including the joint project.
Mr. Aniya explained the business and activities of the diplomatic missions overseas, including the Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage, especially the political and economic information-gathering activities. He explained events for promoting the bilateral friendship between Japan and Alaska (photo-essay campaign, online Arctic symposium). In addition, in response to questions from graduate students and professors, he explained in detail the operations of diplomatic missions abroad, such as measures to ensure continuity of know-how in information gathering activities by the consular office.
Afterwards, Iwate University students were briefed on their duties by Consul Nishizawa and Consul Komatsu.
The Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage looks forward to further proactive achievements made by Japanese youth and their success in the international arena.
The faculty members from the Iwate University are:
Dr. Shin Koshiya, Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Dr. Toshinori Ogasawara, Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Dr. Kunihiro Fukutome, Professor, Faculty of Research Center for Regional Disaster Management
Dr. Shinsuke Okada, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Dr. Hidekazu Yamamoto, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering
(The following are the majors of Iwate University graduate students.)
Ms. Mone Ueno: Water Disaster Prevention Engineering, Hydro Laboratory
Ms. Narumi Yoshii: Water Disaster Prevention Engineering, Hydro Laboratory
Mr. Kenshiro Oikawa: Earthquake and Geophysical Exploration
Mr. Naofumi Sasaki: Geology
Mr. Tomo Tamura: Seismic and Geophysical Exploration