The first three of the "ÇOMU Department of Japanese Language Teaching100th Anniversary Events" were held

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Japan, the ÇOMÜ Japanese Language Teaching Department proudly hosted a series of engaging and enlightening events over the past two weeks. These activities brought together esteemed scholars, students, and enthusiasts to celebrate the rich cultural exchange between our two nations.

 

1. First Week Highlights:

The inaugural event of our 100th Year Activities commenced with esteemed guests including ÇOMÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Dinçay KÖKSAL, and Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Salih Zeki GENÇ, alongside our enthusiastic students. Dr. Assistant Professor Melek Çelik moderated an insightful panel featuring Turkish studies scholar Prof. Dr. Noriko Nakayama from Chubu University, who provided valuable insights into family dynamics and gender relations in Turkish society. Following this, Prof. Dr. Tolga Özşen shed light on rural Japan's role in Japan's modernization process.

 

2. Second Week Highlights:

The momentum continued into the second week with the collaboration of the Faculty of Communication and the Turkish-Japanese Friendship Club. The March 14th panel, attended by prominent academics and students, delved into the theme of "Anime, Manga, and Popular Culture." Distinguished speakers including Prof. Ryuta Minami, Prof. Dr. Junko Saeki, Assoc. Prof. Raj Lahki Sen, Dr. Tetsuya Mihara, and Dr. Assistant Professor H. Çağlar Doğru explored the cultural significance of anime and manga in both Turkey and Japan.

 

A special moment of recognition occurred as Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Evren Karayel Gökkaya presented Consul General Kenichi Kasahara with unique Japanese tea bowls (Chawan) crafted by the Faculty of Fine Arts.

On March 15th, the spotlight turned to "Contemporary Japanese Literature and Popular Culture." Esteemed speakers including Prof. Dr. Yukari Yoshihara, Hiroyo Sugimoto, Miwa Maruyama, Assoc. Prof. Yoshiko Matsuda, Masumi Kagaya, and Dr. Assistant Professor Melek Çelik provided profound insights into the portrayal of women, family dynamics, and modernization in Japanese literature and popular culture.

We are delighted to share the success of the recent events organized by the ÇOMÜ Japanese Language Teaching Department in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Japan. These events, held on March 5th, 14th, and 15th, marked a significant milestone in our ongoing celebration of the rich cultural ties between our two nations.

 

Acknowledging Our Sponsors

First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed sponsors: Aisin Automotive (Gold), HIS Turkiye (Bronze), and Panasonic Electric Works Turkiye (Bronze). Without their generous support, these events would not have been possible. Their commitment to fostering cultural exchange between Türkiye and Japan is deeply appreciated.

 

Gratitude to Collaborating Institutions

We also wish to express our sincere thanks to the various institutions that contributed to the success of these events. We are particularly grateful to the General-Consulate of Japan in Istanbul for their invaluable support and collaboration. Their involvement has been instrumental in bringing our vision to life, and we are immensely grateful for their partnership.

As we reflect on the success of these events, we are filled with optimism for the future of Turkish-Japanese cultural exchange. Our commitment to promoting understanding and appreciation between our two cultures remains unwavering. We look forward to continuing our celebration of Turkish-Japanese friendship at the end of April where we stop.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the success of these events. Together, we have taken meaningful steps toward strengthening the bond between our two nations. 

for the photos ☟☟☟☟