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An Overview of the Institute
■History
and Goals
The Institute of Foreign Affairs was first
established in April, 1961, as the Institute
of Central and South American Affairs. At the
time, a significant number of people were emigrating
from Kumamoto Prefecture to Central and South
America. The Institute was founded to further
understanding of Kumamoto's deepening ties
with the region. The establishment was consistent
with the ideals of Kumamoto Gakuen University's
predecesor, the Toyo Institute of Foreign Languages: "contibuting
to world-wide development" and "nurturing
internationally-oriented personnel."
However, in order to expand areas of research
and meet the changing needs of the faculty
members, the Institute was reorganized in
April, 1972 as the Institute of Foreign Affairs
(IFA). At present, 116 Kumamoto Gakuen University
faculty members are actively involved in
the lnstitute.
■Activities
＜Research support ＞
The Institute's journal, "Foreign Affairs
Studies," is published semiannually with
the goal of promoting comprehensive understanding
of world affairs. A total of 28 volumes (56
issues) have been published to date. Faculty
members may avail themselves of travel aid
stipends in order to finance trips abroad to
do research, which is later published in the
journal. In addition, the Institute has sponsored
the independent publication of 19 books of
scholarly research on foreign affairs. All
institute publications are presented to universities
and institutes in Japan and abroad in the spirit
of contributing to scholarly exchange. Finally,
as a member of the Institute of Developing
Economies (JETRO) and the Japan Escap Association,
our Institute receives publications and information
which are invaluable to the research of our
members.
＜Educational activities＞
Throughout the year, researchers are invited
from abroad to give lectures, symposiums, and
study meetings. The wide variety of fields
and topics discussed at these events is conducive
to the interdisciplinary study of foreign affairs.
The general public is invited to attend in
the hope that the information and ideas presented
may contribute to the development of the local
community.
＜Acquisition of research materials ＞
Our institute pursues the acquisition of information
and literature directly through exchange with
universities and research institutes throughout
Japan. Special emphasis is placed on obtaining
rare documents of academic value from throughout
the world.
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Current holdings |
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? Books:
9,700 Japanese and foreign language publications.
? Periodicals:
70 foreign language; 110 Japanese language;
280 university bulletins. |
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Institute reference
materials |
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? Research Reference Materials (text
in Japanese), Vols. 1-12 (published by
the Institute of Central and South American
Affairs).
? Index of Newspaper and Magazine Articles from China (text in Japanese), Vols.
1-80 (published by the Institute of Foreign Affairs). |
■Academic Exchange with Sister Universities
In June 1987, sister ties were established
with the Institute of Special Economic Zone,
Taiwan, Hongkong and Macao Economies Studies
of Shenzhen
University in China, as well as
with the Institute of Japanology (Institut
fur Japanologie) of Vienna
University in Austria.
In July 1993, sister ties were established
with the Management Research Center of Chonnam
National University in Korea. Since then, these
ties have deepened through the exchange of
research materials, academic research visits
and other types of academic exchange.
Shenzhen University
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Cooperative surveys: |
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"The Status
of Japanese Companies in Shenzhen", "The
Status of Hong Kong-related Companies
in Shenzhen", "The Shenzhen
Stock Market", "The Trends
of Household Consumption in Japan", "The
Function of the Exchange Regulating Center
of the People's Bank of China in Kwangtung" |
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Lectures and symposiums: |
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"Japanese-style Management", "The Investment
Atmosphere in China", etc. |
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Participation in the International
Stock Market Symposium sponsored by Shenzhen
University (7/91) |
Vienna University
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Exchange of research
materials |
Chonnam National University
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Symposium sponsored with
the Institute of Economics and Business
(Kumamoto Gakuen University): |
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"Key Issues of Information
Systems Management in Korea", "Korean
Management under the Supervision of the
International Monetary Fund" (5/98) |
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