Public University Corporation Osaka City University signed a partnership agreement for offering “Japanese Culture Experience Program” with Rekishi Kaido Promotional Council on Wednesday, 20 March, 2019. It is the first time for the Rekishi Kaido Promotional Council to sign an agreement with a university.

As foreign visitors to Japan increase, students who wish to study abroad in Japan also increase. Amongst those who wish to work in Japan, only half of them are said to obtain employment as a matter of fact. By teaching Japanese history, culture, Japanese way of thinking and characteristics to international students who are expected successful as highly skilled resources, they can not only acquire basic academic ability and specialized knowledge that they learn at university but also develop business sense as candidates for future executives as well as communication skills with the Japanese.

This program is available not only for international students but also Japanese students, faculty and staff and it is expected to help them to get interested in history and culture of Kansai/Osaka as well as to introduce spirits and skills of the Japanese on the occasions of international exchanges.

What is the Japanese Culture Experience Program?

It is a program consisting of three parts namely pre-lecture, local tour and workshop review, offered by Rekishi Kaido Promotional Council. Those who participate in this program can not only visit sightseeing spots but also learn Japanese history and culture through classroom lectures and experiences. This partnership agreement has made it possible for OCU to use knowledge and network on history and culture nourished by Rekishi Kaido Promotional Council.

Examples of utilizing the program based on this agreement and the meanings

International students
To be implemented as a short-term program based on the inter-university exchange agreement or as one of the exchange events such as one-day workshop, etc.
Osaka City University will reinforce accepting international students and support their employment in Kansai area as well as delivering Japanese culture after they return to their countries.

Those related to overseas universities
To be implemented when they visit OCU for signing the university or faculty-level exchange agreement or for a meeting.
Will contribute to mutual understanding with top talent.

Japanese students/faculty, staff, etc.
Will take place as a workshop for general students who are interested in exchanges with overseas or for faculty and staff members who are responsible for globalization of the university.
Will take pride in conveying Japanese history and culture at an international exchange situation and make an extra effort in fostering the sense of globalization.

Rekishi Kaido Promotional Council

It was established in 1991 led by the financiers in Kansai. It is operated by membership fees by public and private 192 corporate members such as government agencies, economic organizations, private sectors, local government as well as 2100 private members under the purports of ‘focusing the spotlight with the new attractive approaches to the historical resources scattered in all over Kansai and create “Japanese face” and “route to experience Japanese culture” attracted by anyone in the world.

As its relationship with Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) is close, the past chairpersns were all appointed from the then chairpersons of Kankeiren. The current chairperson and president are respectively Mr. Masayoshi Matsmoto, Chairperson of Kankeiren and Mr. Kazuo Sumi, Vice-Chairperson of Kankeiren.?

“Japanese Culture Experience Program” has been conducted since 2010.

Please refer to Rekishi Kaido Web site.