ICR Tokyo supports the initiative of the Shizuoka-Romania Cultural Exchange Association, which is organizing a series of three lessons presenting Romania at Hamamatsu Seisei High School in Shizuoka.The project is a continuation of the actions to promote Romanian culture and values in Japan, as well as to support the efforts undertaken by the central, but especially local Romanian and Japanese authorities for the twinning of the localities of Iași (Romania) and Hamamatsu (Japan).Dates:April 23 - "Presentation of Romania and Iași" - lecture by Carmen-Gabriela Chimu, 2 hoursMay 19 - "Student Life in Romania" - lecture by Sakura Maruyama, 2 hoursMay 26 - "Traditions and Popular Beliefs in Romania" - lecture by Yusuke SUMI, 2 hours, onlineDr. Yusuke Sumi - Director of the Japanese Cultural Center of the "Babeș-Bolyai" University in Cluj-Napoca and of the Japanese Cultural Center of the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University in Iași. Visiting Researcher at Kobe University of Foreign Studies (Japan). Yusuke Sumi coordinates the activities of the center in Cluj, including Japanese language courses, cultural workshops (origami, tea ceremony) and bilateral student conferences between Romania and Japan. He holds international lectures on Romanian traditions to make Romanian culture known to the Japanese public.Carmen-Gabriela Chimu is a second-year student at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social-Political Sciences at the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași (UAIC). She holds the position of assistant at the Japanese Cultural Center of UAIC, where she moderates events and discussions related to literature and culture. She has participated in study abroad internships, including in the Republic of Korea, through the Erasmus+ program or bilateral agreements of the university. Starting with April 2026, she will be present in Shizuoka for a study internship.Sakura Maruyama is a dedicated promoter of cultural exchanges, with extensive experience in the art of traditional Japanese percussion (Taiko) and a solid foundation in psychology and sociology. She is intensively studying the Romanian language and is passionate about the culture, history and civilization of our country. In this regard, she facilitates intercultural dialogue by organizing concerts, workshops and other events about Romania. She combines artistic vision with digital design skills and academic rigor to build lasting bridges between Japan and Romania. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Psychology) from Shizuoka University.
