About Kazankai

In 1898 the Society for Common East Asian Culture was established to promote East Asian unity and cooperation in response to regional conditions at the end of the 19th century. The Society was engaged in educational exchange activities, comprising the operation of several schools including Toa Dobun Shoin. The Kazankai Foundation subsequently followed in the footsteps of the Society, inheriting the proud legacy of its achievements in promoting cultural exchange between China and Japan.

The Foundation aims to facilitate peace and stability in Asia and the world, by encouraging mutual understanding and friendly relations between the people of Japan and other Asian nations. It does so by promoting cultural exchange between Japan and other Asian nations, focusing on China in particular.

The Foundation’s activities are summarized as follows:

■Exchange Programs for Researchers and Students
The foundation is committed to fostering young researchers who will deepen mutual understanding between Japan and China, and who will contribute to academic research. Dispatched students conduct research at universities, graduate schools, and research institutes in China or Taiwan.
Scholarships are provided to university students studying Japanese at Chinese universities.

■Collaboration on Academic Research
The foundation promotes mutual exchange of researchers among universities and research institutions in Japan, China, and Taiwan, co-hosts symposiums and seminars, and shares research materials.

■Hosting Short-Stay Groups
The Foundation invites teachers of Japanese from Chinese universities and educational institutions and university students studying Japanese at universities in China for short stays in Japan. After a certain number of years have passed since the invitation, Chinese instructors of the Japanese language are given a second opportunity to visit Japan to understand Japanese society in detail and to promote mutual understanding between Japan and China.

■Kazan Academy
In order to deepen mutual understanding of China and other Asian countries and regions, the foundation offers online seminars open to the public on a variety of topics focusing on the basics of various issues.

■Publications
Toa (“East Asia”), a periodical specializing in issues relating to China and Asia
Since 1978, this monthly magazine Toa has covered developments in China and elsewhere in Asia with a wealth of information, rigorous analysis, and fair-minded commentary.

Other publications
『Think Asia』(a PR booklet in Japanese, published quarterly）、『霞山交流通信』（a PR booklet in Chinese, published quarterly）、『中国研究論叢』（published once a year）、『霞山アカデミー新書』（a paperback series）、「ニューズレター」（published twice a year）
 
 ■Lectures
Luncheon Lectures (Members Only)
Ten times a year, leading experts at the forefront of their respective fields are invited as guest lecturers to offer a clear analysis of the issues that face China and the rest of Asia. This lecture is also available on simultaneous online delivery.

Symposiums
The foundation holds domestic and international symposiums as appropriate. Domestic symposiums are co-hosted with universities and institutions throughout Japan. International Symposiums are held jointly with universities and research institutions in China. The symposiums are based on discussions and decisions of timely themes by the Japanese and Chinese side.

■Toa Gakuin
Having started offering Chinese-language seminars in 1964, the Foundation established Toa Gakuin in 1967. Toa Gakuin now comprises the Chinese and Japanese language schools.

Chinese Language School
The school’s educational philosophy is “promoting our students’ development of Chinese language skills for use in the real world of business, academics, etc.”, and it offers a wide variety of courses at different times of the day. One such course is the six-month intensive course in practical Chinese, which targets corporate and governmental employees, with the urgent need to learn Chinese and people planning to study in China. The school also offers courses at night, on Saturdays, and early in the morning, as well as lessons at workplaces and other venues, covering a wide range of levels from basic to advanced.

Japanese Language School
The foundation started Japanese language education as a support project for Japanese war orphans left behind in China in 1982. It later opened the school in April 2000, having obtained authorization from the Japanese Minister of Justice in November 1999. In August 2005, the School was formally licensed as a vocational school. Its educational philosophy is “developing students to be instrumental in international exchange between countries and region.”
At the school Chinese students learn Japanese to study at Japanese universities, graduate schools, and other educational institutions. The school also offers Japanese language lessons for foreign employees of Japanese companies. The school offers a dormitory in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo.

■Building Management
Rental conference rooms: Kazan Kaikan Building (Kasumigaseki Common Gate West Tower)
In October 2007 the Foundation reopened the revamped Kazan Kaikan conference rooms on the 37th Floor of the Kasumigaseki Common Gate West Tower. The Foundation manages the facility, which comprises nine rooms varying in size from 65 to 291㎡.

Leasing to tenants: Kazan Kaikan Building (Kasumigaseki Common Gate West Tower)
The Kasumigaseki Common Gate West Tower was completed in September 2007. The Foundation owns and leases to tenants the 35th to 37th floors, which comprise office space, and part of the shopping mall space on the 1st and 2nd floors.

Akasaka Kazan Building
The Foundation manages and maintains the Akasaka Kazan Building, which functions as its headquarters, and leases some floors to tenants.

Student dormitory
The Foundation manages and maintains a student dormitory for students attending the Toa Gakuin Japanese Language School.