In November 2024, Euro-Japan Dialogue in the Faculty of Economics returned for the first time since 2019. After months of preparation under the leadership of Professor Alec McAulay and Dr. Kota Sugimoto, four students visited Scotland to carry out academic exchange consisting of presentations, discussions and special seminars. This was the 15th year of the programme, but only the second time that Euro-Japan Dialogue has taken place at two universities in the same country, the previous time being 2015 in Italy. This year Euro-Japan Dialogue carried out exchanges with various departments at University of Glasgow and University of Edinburgh.

Things got underway for the four undergraduate students from the Faculty of Economics with a campus tour of University of Glasgow. Founded in 1451, the history encompasses such luminaries as Lord Kelvin, James Watt, and Adam Smith. Walking around The Gilbert Scott Building, named after its designer Sir George Gilbert Scott, the students heard about the planning and building of the west-end campus in the late 19th century. The university’s badge and motto Via, Veritas, Vita (the way, the truth, the life), were on prominent display throughout the grounds. The building was completed in 1891, and the iconic bell tower is one of Glasgow’s most notable landmarks.

After the tour the students gave a presentation to University of Glasgow faculty and students on ‘The Global Boom in Anime: Economic Aspects.’ The students presented considerable data on the economic benefits that have accrued from the rise of anime as a global commodity, but also examined some problems around the human resources management within the anime industry. The presentation was received warmly by the Glasgow audience, who asked questions that were dominated by the emergence of Artificial Intelligence and how the anime industry is meeting this innovation. After this session, two short lectures for University of Glasgow students and YNU students were given by faculty members. Firstly, Professor Alec McAulay of YNU gave a talk on ‘Transnational aspects in contemporary Japanese cinema.’ After that, Dr. Ramona Fortiade, author of Pictures of the Mind: Surrealist Photography and Film , spoke on ‘French and Japanese Surrealism.’ This included analysis of the work and philosophy of Taro Okamoto , and an exploration of Symbol, a film by Hitoshi Matsumoto that Dr. Fortiade pointed out was poorly received in Japan, but was well-regarded overseas.

A tasty lunch of sandwiches, tea and coffee followed, where lively discussion on the morning sessions took place.
In the afternoon, students attended a lecture on ‘The historical connections between Japan and Glasgow/Scotland,’ given by Dr. Saeko Yazaki. The lecture touched on the Scots who contributed to the industrial reforms of the Meiji era, including Henry Dyer, who founded the Imperial College of Engineering, which eventually became University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Engineering. Mention was also made of the Iwakura Mission’s visit to Scotland in 1872, and the fact that Yozo Yamao of the Choshu Five became an apprentice in a Glasgow shipyard. Many other connections, including the role of Thomas Blake Glover as an early ‘kakebashi’ between Scotland and Japan, were covered.
YNU students also heard about opportunities to study academic English at University of Glasgow from Adam Donnelly of the English for Academic Study department. The day ended by auditing a class on ‘Japanese for International Mobility’ given by Izumi Kuroda-sensei, where the YNU students were able to perform as Teaching Assistants and practice accommodation skills, using yasashii nihongo to facilitate learning by the Glasgow students.

Later in the week the cohort moved to University of Edinburgh. Once again the main topic of discussion was the theme of the global boom in anime. Professionally hosted by Fumiko Narumi-Munro-sensei, Head of Japanese Language in Asian Studies at University of Edinburgh, this session featured around 40 faculty and students mixing English and Japanese in an authentic display of cross-cultural exchange. One issue arising from the global boom in anime is the over-tourism Japan is currently experiencing. The Edinburgh students have recently studied this topic and so both sets of students took part in a debate-style session arguing the pros and cons of trying to regulate the inflow of tourists to Japan.

Professor Alec McAulay, assisted by Dr. Kota Sugimoto and the YNU cohort, gave a lecture in Japanese on ‘Writing Japan in Transnational Cinema.’ The lecture outlined how the historical understanding of Japanese cinema as stories exclusively told by Japanese is problematized by the emergence of many non-Japanese screenwriters writing Japanese screenplays, such as the 2024 Oscar-nominated Perfect Days by Wim Wenders. The second half of this session was an interactive workshop challenging students to work in YNU-UE teams to come up with a ‘transnational’ film idea set in Japan.

The final day in Edinburgh involved a visit to the Consulate of Japan. Graciously hosted by consular official Sora Sato, the YNU group heard from Deputy Consul General Minori Ishii about economic and trade ties between Scotland and Japan. We heard how whisky, electronics and energy dominate the exchange, and Scotland’s success in wind power has attracted considerable interest from Japan. The YNU group had many questions and were able to gain knowledge that will prove invaluable in their ongoing studies in the field of economics.
In both Glasgow and Edinburgh the YNU cohort visited cultural and historical sites, such as the City Chambers in Glasgow, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and Edinburgh Castle. They were also able to tour the Highlands and hear about Scottish history. On many occasions Scottish students guided the YNU cohort on cultural and historical tours, followed by more relaxed intercultural exchange in social settings.

The 15th Euro-Japan Dialogue was a great success thanks to the meticulous preparation, organization and gracious hospitality of our partners at University of Glasgow and University of Edinburgh. From everyone involved in international education at YNU, we offer our deepest gratitude.
Euro-Japan Dialogue, an integral part of the ‘Global Studies in Economics’ program in the Faculty of Economics, has been running since 2006. University of Glasgow was also the venue in 2013, and University of Edinburgh previously hosted EJD in 2011. The program has now visited 27 universities in 18 countries. We are extremely grateful to Fumiko Narumi-Munro-sensei and her colleagues for their hard work and hospitality that facilitated this second visit over a decade later on Euro-Japan Dialogue.
The sojourn to Scotland allowed students to foster friendships, communicate across cultures and mix languages in various academic, cultural and social settings. We are confident it has enhanced our mission to nurture students who can perform assuredly in multilingual settings overseas.