曽我日本センターは異なる学問分野を統合した組織であり、学内やカラマズー市のみに限定せず、ミシガン州南西部地域に幅広く、日本研究の知識を総合的に広 めることを目的としています。センターは研究者、芸術家、作家等を定期的に大学に招き、学生・教員・一般聴衆を対象に、日本研究に関連した講義・講演・読 書会を開催しています。また、センターは試写会・コンサート・展示会など日本文化を楽しみながら経験出来るような行事を定期的に開催しています。
"My dream is to become an international pilot! Currently, only about 6 percent of pilots in the industry are female, but at WMU, approximately 20 percent of the pilot population is female. I strongly desired to be surrounded by peers who share the same passion, and I love that WMU actively encourages diversity—not only in the College of Aviation but also across the main campus. This is why I chose to attend WMU!"
Contact the Soga Japan Center
Soga Japan Center Outreach
Soga Japan Center presents information about Japanese culture, society, everyday life and language in local community settings. Staff also organize activities that foster exchange between the United States and Japan.
The center offers presentations on WMU’s campuses as well as in K-12 schools, libraries, community centers and other locations throughout southwest Michigan. Activities include:
- Presentations on everyday life in Japan, Japanese culture and music.
- Demonstrations of Japanese calligraphy, origami and kimono dressing.
- Sharing Japanese stories through picture books.
For more information, contact Program Manager Michiko Yoshimoto at @email.
Soga Japan Center Mission
The Soga Japan Center at Western Michigan University commits itself to making fundamental advances in the knowledge of Japanese history, culture, business, science and technology. In so doing, it serves as a generative force in international education. Our objectives are as follows:
- Promote and disseminate faculty and student research on Japan.
- Stimulate creative curricular development, as well as extracurricular activities that enrich student and area residents’ understanding of Japan.
- Support students pursuing Japanese studies and those interested in studying in Japan. Aid in the recruitment of students from Japan.
- Serve as the nexus between WMU and the Japan-related business, arts and civic communities in West Michigan.
- Facilitate ties between WMU, the Kalamazoo community, and our partner institutions and alumni groups in Japan.
- Collaborate with faculty and University administration to put in place effective and efficient learning experiences, instructional strategies and scholarly inquiries.
Soga Japan Center History
Western Michigan University’s links to Japan date back more than 50 years, with WMU’s first Japanese alumnus earning a graduate degree in psychology in 1955. In 1961, the first academic partnership with a Japanese university occurred when Keio University sent a group of 66 students and three professors to WMU for a Summer Institute program. Currently, more than 500 WMU alumni reside in Japan.
More recently, efforts on both sides of the Pacific Ocean have resulted in the establishment of WMU’s Michitoshi Soga Japan Center.
For more than 35 years, Dr. Michitoshi Soga, WMU professor emeritus of physics, worked tirelessly to establish a network of connections in West Michigan for individual visitors, as well as for businesses and Japanese partner universities and colleges. In addition to his significant scholarly accomplishments, Soga dedicated his career to working with students and community members to deepen understanding between Japan and the United States.
Soga retired from teaching in 1993, becoming an emeritus professor. He then served as an adviser for Japanese relations through WMU’s Office of International Affairs until 1996. In 2005, the WMU Board of Trustees honored Dr. Soga by establishing this center in his name to support research in Japanese studies and community outreach.
ウェスタン・ミシガン大学と日本との関係は50年以上前に遡ります。1955年に、日本からの最初の留学生が心理学の学位を取得しました。1961年には 慶応大学と協定校となり、66人の学生と3人の教員が夏期講習に参加しました。現在は約500人のウェスタン・ミシガン大学の卒業生が日本に住んでいま す。 2006年には、太平洋を挟んだ努力が実を結び、曽我道敏日本センターが設立されました。35年以上にわたり、曽我博士（物理学名誉教授）は日本からの多 くの留学生の公私にわたる援助、日本の大学や企業との交流の促進に多大の努力を注がれました。当センターはディーター・ヘネカ国際地域研究所の傘下にあり ます。ヘネカ研究所は1998年にウェスタン・ミシガン大の更なる国際化に貢献するために設立されました。
Additional Resources of the Soga Japan Center
Study Abroad in Japan
WMU offers several opportunities to study abroad in Japan and deepen your understanding of Japanese language and culture.
Friends of Asian Arts and Culture
The Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures group is part of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education's Asian Initiatives. Members promote and provide art and cultural opportunities, activities and workshops, publications, lectures, tours and discussions.
Asian Initiatives at WMU
WMU Asian Initiatives, a unit of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, works to enhance scholarship and disseminate knowledge about East Asia on campus and throughout southwest Michigan
About the Haenicke Institute for Global Education
Your journey at Western Michigan University is a global one. Through transformative events, immersive classes and Experience-Driven Learning, the Haenicke Institute for Global Education connects Kalamazoo to the world—and the world to Kalamazoo. We assist over 1,000 international students and alumni at home and abroad with admissions, immigration support, student success and post-graduation job training. We host 80+ study abroad programs and bring students, faculty and staff to 30 countries, on average, each year. From fostering academic opportunities to showcasing cultural events and providing K-12 outreach, the Haenicke Institute promotes learning that transcends borders and takes you wherever you want to go.
International Student and Scholar Services
International Student and Scholar Services is responsible for international student recruitment, admissions and immigration support.
Study Abroad
WMU Study Abroad supports more than 80 programs around the world, sending students, faculty and staff to 30 countries, on average, each year.
Global Engagement Program
The Global Engagement Program provides opportunities for all students at Western Michigan University to become globally engaged.
English Language Learning
The Center for English Language and Culture for International Students offers short- and long-term intensive English language study.
Asian Initiatives
WMU Asian Initiatives enhances scholarship and knowledge of East Asia on campus and throughout southwest Michigan.
Faculty Enrichment
The Haenicke Institute supports partnerships with more than 100 international institutions, offering options to faculty who are interested in collaboration and exchange.