News

Visit this page to see the latest news from the Center for Japanese Studies.

News Archive: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

J-Current: our semi-annual newsletter can be viewed on our newsletter page.


Consul General Kodama Visits CJS and the UH Mānoa Campus

[Wednesday, March 6, 2024]

We were honored to have Consul General Yoshinori Kodama of the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu visit the Center for Japanese Studies as part of his introductory tour of the University of Hawaiʻi campuses. Consul General Kodama and Consul Okawa met with Japanese Studies Director Mark Levin, Center for Okinawan Studies Director Masato Ishida, and Professors Lonny Carlile and Kazue Kanno. It was a great opportunity to strengthen ties and contribute to our shared efforts in advancing Japanese studies.

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CJS Faculty at AAS Annual Conference 2024 in Seattle, WA from March 14-17

[Monday, February 26, 2024]

We have a wonderful team of CJS faculty who are presenting at the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) Annual Conference in Seattle, WA from March 14-17. Please say hello if you see them!

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A remarkable week for CJS with Dr. Sen and the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives

[Friday, February 23, 2024]

Last week, we shared a quick recap of the exciting events of the week of Valentine’s Day. Today, please enjoy this photo recap of both the February 14th Spirit of Tea and Peacefulness lecture by Dr. Sen, and the February 15th Recognition at the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives. We are also happy to announce that these events were featured on UH News, as well as local news stations KITV and Hawaii News Now.

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Dr. Genshitsu Sen returns for lecture and Jaku’an recognition at Hawaiʻi state legislature

[Friday, February 16, 2024]

The week of Valentine’s Day brought with it an amazing two days with Urasenke Chadō Tradition 15th-Generation Grand Master, Dr. Genshitsu Sen.

Dr. Genshitsu Sen posing with his younger self

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Hanging out at the Spring 2024 Graduate Student Mixer

[Friday, February 2, 2024]

Graduate students pose for a group picture at the Spring 2024 CJS Graduate Student Mixer

CJS held its Spring 2024 Graduate Student Mixer on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 in the Tokioka Room, where a watch party was held for CJS community member Brandon Marc Higa’s presentation right before.

Brandon Marc Higa (first from the right) poses for pictures with friends and supporters who came to watch his presentation in the Tokioka Room watch party

Held once a semester, the CJS Graduate Student Mixer is an opportunity for graduate students to learn more about the scholarships and other resources that CJS offers, and also a chance for them to unwind and enjoy food and good company while sharing research interests.

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Brandon Marc Higa’s Presentation on Recent Japan Court Decisions on Marriage Equality

[Thursday, February 1, 2024]

Congratulations to Brandon Marc Higa, S.J.D. candidate at the William S. Richardson School of Law, and active CJS community member, for a great job on his live presentation to an online audience of ~80 spanning Hawaiʻi and Japan!

Brandon behind the scenes of his online presentation

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Hatsudate Shiki – First of Year Tea Ceremony at Jaku’an Tea House

[Wednesday, January 31, 2024]

The UHM Center for Japanese Studies was honored to welcome State Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett as a guest for the Hatsudate Shiki (first of the year tea ceremony) at the Jaku’an Tea House on the UH Mānoa campus on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

CJS Director Mark Levin (left) with Hawaiʻi State Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett (right) posing for a picture together before the Hatsudate Shiki

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Lunch at the Jaku’an Tea House

[Friday, January 26, 2024]

The Jaku’an Japanese Tea House in the Seien Japanese Gardens behind the East-West Center, hosted a lunch gathering for Center for Japanese Studies Director Mark Levin, Way of Tea Instructor Akiko Riley, and wonderful guests from the East-West Center on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.

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Ehime Maru Memorial Cleanup by CJS Community

[Monday, January 22, 2024]

CJS staff and community members joined hands for the biannual cleanup at the Ehime Maru Memorial in Kaka’ako Waterfront Park. Erected in 2002, the memorial commemorates the nine lives (four students, two teachers, and three crew) lost in the tragic 2001 collision between the USS Greeneville and the Ehime Maru, a Japanese fishery high-school training ship from Ehime prefecture.

CJS Community hard at work. At left, 2023 UHM Summer interns at the Ehime Prefectural International Center, Marques Batoon and Melody Matsumoto.

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