The activities and prospects of Ukrainian-Japanese Center told "KP" the coordinator of the Ukrainian-Japanese Center of NTU KPI "from the Japan Foundation - Japanese governmental organization, to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and other countries providing international cultural exchange programs for all regions of the world - Mizuho Furukawa.
- Furukawa-san, the activities of the Ukrainian-Japanese center "KPI" is quite evident not only in the scale of our university and the city, but the whole Ukraine. Today, the Centre was recognized in our country intermediary which facilitates contacts between Japan and Ukraine in the cultural, scientific and other spheres. How it all began?
- Creation of Ukrainian-Japanese center as a structural unit of the University was made possible through an agreement between the governments of Ukraine and Japan for technical cooperation and grant aid, which was concluded in July 2004 And 2006 was the signing of the Protocol between the Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA and "KPI" to start technical cooperation project between Japan and Ukraine, "Ukrainian-Japanese center" (UAJC). This five-year project was completed in 2011. But the cooperation with Japan is not over - now the Centre operates with the support of the Japan Foundation.
- Whose in fact the project is UAJC - Japanese or Ukrainian?
- You can not say that the creation of this project was attached to only one side - the result of joint work of the two countries - both Ukraine and Japan.
- Ukrainian-Japanese center is in the structure of "KPI". Why our University became the platform for the creation of this international organization?
- It's hard to have to say that was a factor that influenced the decision is the decision. But it would not be possible without a primarily rector of KPI Michael Zgurovsky. It became Meanwhile managing power that gave impetus to the establishment of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Japan. It seems to me a crucial role in this played quite sensible choice, in my opinion, the idea that any cooperation in the exact sciences and technology must begin with an introduction to the culture of the future partner.
- What areas of UAJC "KPI" considers itself a priority? What projects - most important?
- With a view to deepening mutual understanding, mutual enrichment of cultures and improving friendly relations between our countries, Centre implements language courses, a program dating from Japanese history, traditions, culture, philosophy and practice of business management KAYDZEN conducts various activities with the active involvement of all interested parties of the two countries. We plan to expand as already existing programs and introduce new ones. Recently, for our priority is to support projects through the "Fukushima-Chernobyl". There is currently a plan of activities in the innovation and scientific and technical areas. In our projects we try to uncover the widest Japan to Ukrainian.
- Probably, for years the Center through its schools, courses and clubs took quite a lot of people. Some of them became real friends of the Centre. How many people are involved in its projects?
- Projects UAJC very diverse - from small (20 people) to quite large, which involved thousands of people. For example, several years ago to Ukraine came great master of tea ceremony Sen Genshitsu, and we at the Center for Culture and Arts "KPI" organized Japanese tea demonstration. On it were about 2 thousand people. We did not expect such a rush. Our activities are not limited to Kyiv, we try to present real Japan and in other cities of Ukraine. For example, in Lviv we conducted a three-day festival "Spring in Ukraine" with concerts, demonstrations, exhibitions and master classes. According to preliminary calculations, the event was attended by about 5000 people. By the way, last year we were invited to a picnic Glory Art Frolova, for which we have developed and implemented a special program to familiarize with Japan. This year also plan to join this social project and spend a week in Japan.
- Over the years the Center has changed some of its leaders. These were the representatives of Japan, to work in Ukraine, they came only for a relatively short time. Each of them made a huge contribution to the development of the Centre.
- I believe that successful development requires not stand still, and change. It is important to think about what a useful contribution Centre could make to society. And I hope that the Centre will continue to not be afraid of change and will remain the bridge connecting Japan and Ukraine.
- Today, the new director of the Center - now Ukrainian. Do you plan to change anything in its policy that in the plans?
- With the new appointment priorities Director of the Center will not change, but the planned expansion. In particular, we plan to increase the number of trainees in Japanese half to two times in the 2015/2016 academic year. Also in the plans of development of cooperation with scientific and industrial-innovative area of Japan based on an innovative platform of "KPI" and the Science Park "Kyiv Polytechnic". However, our work would not be complete if we only showed one side - and we also involve experts from Ukrainian culture for its distribution among Japanese diaspora. We want to help the Ukrainian and Japanese to learn more about each other. We believe that this creates a mutual trust which, in turn, gives rise to cooperation.
In May cadence stay in Ukraine claim. Mizuho Furukawa come to an end. It is a pity, because its work and cooperation with UAJC "KPI" were extremely fruitful, and relations with the Ukrainian colleagues - humanly warm. We wish Furukawa-san and good health and hope that after returning home, she did not lose connection with Kyiv and its Ukrainian colleagues and friends.