Celebrating 27 Years of Achievement and Engagement at Japan Week 2025

Now in its 27th year, Seton Hall’s Japan Week 2025: “Time of Great Change, Time of Great Connection,” will take place Friday, March 28, through Friday, April 4. This annual celebration embraces academic achievement, creativity, engagement and innovation throughout Seton Hall’s learner-centered community, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, faculty, administrators, staff and colleagues while paying tribute to Japanese culture, cuisine, international relations, business and language. Coinciding with the emergence of the Japanese cherry blossoms, this year's Japan Week 2025 program is hosted by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures (LLC).

“Japan Week 2025 aims to provide a better understanding of Japan, while demonstrating the University's ongoing commitment to building bridges between cultures while bringing together people of various disciples and backgrounds to engage in a flourishing dialogue and celebrate together as one community,” noted Shigeru Osuka, Ed.D., professor, Asian Studies Program and Japanese Program, College of Arts and Sciences, and director, Japan Week.

A Multitude of Events  

An abundance of Japanese and Asian-inspired events are open to University community members. (Please note, programs are subject to change.)

Friday, March 28

New Jersey Statewide Japanese Language and Cultural Studies Awards Ceremony
The Japanese language is offered at more than 20 high schools and universities in New Jersey. For the past 20 years, the NJATJ has been presenting awards to recognize the efforts of Japanese language learners and their hopes for a bright future. This year, approximately 150 Japanese language learners will be receiving awards, and Japanese cultural dance presentations will also be held at the awards ceremony. Three recently retired Japanese teachers will be recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Hosted by New Jersey Association of Teachers of Japanese (NJATJ).
12:30-2:30 p.m. (Jubilee Hall, Jubilee Auditorium)
 
Monday, March 31

Japanese Language & Digital Storytelling Awards Ceremony
The Japanese Program is pleased to honor its motivated and hardworking Japanese language learners. For the 2024-2025 academic year, 50 students have been studying Japanese language and culture, pursuing challenging curriculums in one of the most internationally well-known language programs. The awardees are expected to be future cultural ambassadors in the respective community, foster a peaceful global society and continue to study Japanese as a lifelong learning pursuit. Congratulations to the awardees! Hosted by LLC Department and Global Learning Center.
12-12:45 p.m. (Bishop Dougherty University Center, Chancellor’s Suite)

Tuesday, April 1

Interned in Wartime Japan: 
Diary of a Young British National
The fact that there were internment camps for enemy civilians in wartime Japan is not well known. Born in Japan to a Japanese mother, Sydengham Duer, a physician at Jikei Medical School, is troubled by his own identity. He was arrested and interned by the Totsuka Police Department's Special Higher Police on December 8, 1941. His diary from 1944-1945, during his period of internees, vividly describes the conditions at the Uchiyama Internment Camp in Kanagawa Prefecture. One day in his diary, he wrote, "Japan treats me as an enemy, but as for me, I love Japan….”  Kei Sakayama, the first daughter of Sydengham, shares the diary which her father kept during the harsh days of WWII. The bilingual book, Interned in Wartime Japan: Diary of a Young British National, was published in 2021 by Ronsō-sya publishing company in Tokyo, Japan. Presented by Kei Sakayama, Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, FDU and Ramapo College (Retired). Hosted by Asian Studies Program & Japanese Program.
3:30-4:45 p.m. (Bishop Dougherty University Center, Chancellor’s Suite)
 
Wednesday, April 2 

Kendama Contest
Kendama (literally sword and ball) is a traditional Japanese toy. It consists of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado) and a ball (tama). Kendama is a popular toy for developing skills such as hand-eye coordination, focus and perseverance. Currently, people use Kendama as a means of improving their concentration or as a stress-relief tool. Test your Kendama skills. Hosted by Advanced Japanese Class.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Bishop Dougherty University Center)

Thursday, April 3 

It’s Raining Pikachu: 
Pokémon as a Window to Nostalgia, 
Consumerism and Globalization
When Pokémon came to America in 1996, hundreds of stuffed Pikachu fell to earth in Topeka, Kansas (renamed To Pikachu for the day). This talk will explore the humble beginnings of a game that merged a popular pastime (bug collecting) with traditions from Shinto and Daoist folklore. We will look at how the Pokémon Corporation then went globally, forging an empire of product lines, movies, tv shows, books, manga and even themed cafés. Ultimately, we will see how Pokémon encapsulated not just “pocket monsters” in their “Poké Balls,” but also captured and commercialized childhood nostalgia. Hosted by Anne Giblin Gedacht, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of History.
12:30 -1:45 p.m. (Bishop Dougherty University Center, Chancellor’s Suite)
 

Japanese-style Curry: 
Strengthening Nutrition,
Military and Identity of Japan
Have you ever tried Japanese-style curry? Curry is famous in India and nearby regions, but it is also popular in Japan. In this workshop, the participants will learn the history of curry, Japanese-style curry and the evolution of curry. There will also be a tasting opportunity at the workshop. Hosted by Shigeru Osuka, Ed.D., professor, Asian Studies Program and Japanese Program.
3:30-4:45 p.m. (Bishop Dougherty University Center, Chancellor’s Suite)
 
Friday, April 4 

Japan Week Luncheon 
The world population is over 8 billion, so why not spend some time with University friends and colleagues you have met at the right time and space in your life. The Japan Week luncheon will be held at a local Asian restaurant in South Orange.
12-1:30 p.m. (Reservations accepted at Fahy Hall, Room 211. Very limited space, so RSVP no later than March 25.)
 
Learn more about Japan Week 2025 and the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures here.
 
Sponsorship for Japan Week 2025 is provided by Seton Hall University’s Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Dean’s Office of the College of Arts and Sciences, Office of International Programs, LLC Global Learning Center, Asian Studies Program, Japanese Program, The J.C.C. Fund of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, and New Jersey Association of Teachers of Japanese (NJATJ).

Categories: Arts and Culture