Dean Wilson makes comments during the Q&A session at the press conference at Kyoto Prefectural Government Office.
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) turned a new page in its 42-year history on February 9, 2024, by formally announcing its plan to launch a new satellite location in Kyoto City in January 2025. The press conference, held at the Kyoto Prefectural Government Office and attended by distinguished officials from Kyoto and the U.S. Consulate, attracted widespread media attention, drawing journalists not only from Kyoto and the Kansai area but also generating online engagement from Tokyo.
TUJ announced that it will expand its operations and broaden its presence in the Kansai region through the establishment of a new satellite location in Kyoto that will welcome university students from Japan and around the world starting next January. In partnership with Seibo Jogakuin School Corporation (Seibo), TUJ aims to play a critical role in advancing international education and building bridges across cultures in Kyoto – a popular tourist destination, the ancient capital of Japan, and hub of both traditional Japanese culture and cutting-edge modern industries. With this development, Temple University students may pursue a world-class and top-ranked university education in Tokyo, Philadelphia, Rome and now, Kyoto.
Coverage of the press conference by prominent publications such as Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Kyoto Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun and the Japan Times underscored its significance. Later that day, the story was broadcast on the Kyoto Broadcasting System (KBS). The news about TUJ’s expansion in Kyoto was also featured by the Philadelphia Inquirer. (Find the links to the articles below)
Numerous stakeholders, including representatives and staff, from the U.S. Consulate, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Seibo and TUJ were in attendance during the press conference. TUJ Dean Matthew Wilson and Seibo Jogakuin School Corporation President Koichi Akano opened the press conference by addressing the attending media representatives. They were joined by guests, including Kyoto Prefecture Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki, Kyoto Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa and U.S. Consul General of the Consulate at Osaka-Kobe, Jason R. Cubas, whose remarks emphasized the significance of international education and the importance of nurturing relationships between Japanese and international students.
Governor Nishiwaki highlighted Temple University’s Tourism & Hospitality Management undergraduate degree program in his remarks, which expanded to Japan last September. The governor emphasized the potential for collaboration between TUJ and Kyoto in this area. “After the pandemic, demand for tourism, including from foreigners, has been recovering, but at the same time, there is a serious shortage of labor and the human resources required in the tourism field are becoming very diverse,” Nishiwaki said. “If we can work together in the field of tourism, including human resource development in such areas, we can tackle various issues related to the tourism field.”
Mayor Kadokawa expressed his delight and excitement regarding the collaboration between the two institutions which will further enhance the internationalization of education in Kyoto. Japan faces the issue of a declining birthrate and an aging population, but Kyoto has seen increases in the number of university students, thanks to the effort it has taken over the past several years, the mayor said. “We welcome the partnership between TUJ and Seibo and we would like to provide assistance in many ways including introducing internships to students,” Kadokawa said.
Articles on the press conference:
Asahi Shimbun
https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS2F7DZCS29PLZB00P.html?iref=pc_edu_top__n
Nihon Keizai Shimbun
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUF097DA0Z00C24A2000000/
The Philadelphia Inquirer
https://www.inquirer.com/education/temple-university-japan-campus-new-kyoto-20240213.html
https://www.inquirer.com/education/temple-university-japan-campus-tokyo-growth-20240213.html
The Japan Times
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/02/09/japan/society/temple-university-kyoto-campus/
The Kyoto Shimbun
https://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/articles/-/1200336
Other related stories
- Temple University, Japan Campus Unveils New Kyoto Satellite Campus Commencing from January 2025 (February 9, 2024)
- High-ranking U.S. and Japanese Government Officials Offer Critical Insights During “Diplomacy Week” at Temple University, Japan Campus (October 2, 2023)
- U.S. Ambassador to Japan Delivers Inspiring 40th Anniversary Speech at Temple University, Japan Campus (February 14, 2023)