Activities

The Soga Japan Center at Western Michigan University:

• Works with academic units to establish and institutionalize Japanese studies at all levels, with an emphasis on Japanese language and culture at WMU.
• Works to build accessible resources on Japan including literature, audio-visual, and industry and government documents.
• Works with WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education to facilitate sustainable Japan-U.S. cross-cultural education in both countries through collaborative research projects, study abroad, and exchanges involving students, faculty and staff.
• Cooperates with the Office of University Relations and Development and Alumni Relations on all activities that will promote the mission and objectives of the Soga Japan Center.
• Organizes and coordinates activities such as lectures, film series and cultural events to inform and educate the campus and area communities about Japan.
• Reaches out to the Kalamazoo community, its immediate region, including school systems, and the State of Michigan through a variety of activities enlightening citizens about Japan in particular, but also about how Japan-U.S. interests are relevant to the global interconnectedness that is crucial to the economy and security of Michigan, the United States and Japan.
• Cooperates with all organizations—educational, civic, economic and social—in activities that will contribute to the achievement of the mission and objectives of the Soga Japan Center.