Source: School of Foreign Languages
Written by: Department of Japanese
Translated by: Zheng Lei
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On October 26, the Fifth Annual Conference of the University Alliance for Japanese Studies in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province (UAJS) was held in the building of School of Foreign Languages (FLS), Sun Yat-sen University. Aihara Yoshie, Consul of Consulate-General of Japan in Guangzhou, Professor Chen Fangze, Chairman of UAJS and Director of Center for Japanese Studies at University of Macau, and Professor Chang Chenguang, Dean of FLS, attended the opening ceremony.

Dean Chang Chenguang addressed the opening ceremony and introduced the contributions of the Guangzhou Center for “Face-to-Face” Exchanges to promote Japanese language education in South China and the communication between China and Japan since its establishment. Consul Aihara expressed her expectation of UAJS to further boost the development of Japanese Studies in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province, and wished the Conference a great success.
The Conference consisted of two sessions. The first session is the First Public Lecture for Students in Guangdong Region. Hara Takayuki, Specially Appointed Associate Professor of Kagoshima University Education Center, delivered a speech titled “Language Education Policy in Japan under Globalization: Current Situation and Challenge”. Akatsuka Yasuko and Takai Miwa at The Chinese University of Hong Kong jointly presented a lecture titled “Learning Japanese with Tensei Jingo in Asahi Shimbun”. Over 260 students from Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, South China Business College at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and Guangdong Industry Technical College attended the lecture.

The second session is the Third Workshop for Japanese-Language Teachers. The Workshop began with the lecture entitled “Teaching Listening Skills in Class” by Suzuki Kyouko, Japanese-Language Senior Specialist from The Japan Foundation, Beijing. Then, Koyama Satoru, Associate Professor of Kyushu University International Student Center, delivered the lecture entitled “A New Teaching Method Based on Content”. The Workshop ended with the lecture entitled “What Practical Ability is needed in Japanese-Language Education”, given by Niiyama Tadakazu from Sendagaya Japanese School. Nearly 80 Japanese teachers from Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou participated in the Workshop.

The University Alliance for Japanese Studies in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province (UAJS) was established in 2009. It aims to promote Japanese studies and education as well as academic exchanges among Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province. It has established an academic journal to provide a platform for publication, focused on the construction of its homepage, and strengthened cooperation with local Japanese companies to help college students with career opportunities.

Sponsored by the Japan Foundation China Center, the Guangzhou Center for “Face-to-Face Exchanges” (CFFE) was opened in September 2010 and operated in cooperation with FLS. It is the first and the only CFFE in South China. It provides latest information on modern Japan to learners of Japanese language and culture, and supports academic lectures and cultural activities to promote mutual understanding and friendship between China and Japan.