In this candid interview we hear how Komazawa University always endeavors to maintain the highest standards in cultivating cultural and social sciences.
One of the major challenges facing not only Japanese universities but also Japanese society as a whole is Japan’s declining population. This is leading to labor force shortages when compared to other nations. To try to tackle this problem, the government has set the ambitious target of attracting 400,000 foreign students to come to study in Japan, with the goal of filling these gaps in Japan’s labor force. What role do you believe colleges can play in trying to address this labor shortage?
The demographic issue is an immediate threat to Japanese society. Komazawa University is one of the executive members of The Japan Association of Private Universities and Colleges (JAPUC). The decline in the population of Japan’s younger generations has been an ongoing discussion topic, and the conclusion we reached was that we need to strengthen our universities by creating robust characteristics and emphasizing the uniqueness of each university. In 2016, the Japanese government issued subsidies to private universities to strengthen their unique characteristics. Our university applied this to the Buddhist philosophy of Zen teaching, on which the university’s mission is based. We want to promote the philosophy of harmony that is conveyed through Zen.
The History of our university starts in 1592, so we have accumulated 432 years of history. I was the first female president to be elected. The decision-making process for electing the president is done by voting. My election to the position probably shows that Komazawa University and its faculty members wanted a change. This is the beginning of a new phase for our university as we embark on a new path for the future.
When I became the president, I pledged digitalization and diversity. The purpose of this was to strengthen the originality of our university. I hope that as a result, it will help to promote and spread Zen philosophy. Zen philosophy calls for harmony and unity. Understanding and practicing Zen philosophy helps to prevent confrontation and ensures a more harmonious coexistence. Promoting Zen philosophy will surely lead to a more harmonious and peaceful world. It is my mission to translate this Zen Buddhism mindset so that it applies to current society through education and its appearance in the media. Zen philosophy must be the core root of our education as it will be needed in the future when the Japanese population falls below 100 million. It will be vital for Japan to remain unique, and the traditional Zen Buddhism teachings will be an important way for Japan to contribute globally.
You mentioned that when you became president, one of your goals was to promote digitalization and diversity using the ideas of Zen Buddhism. Many people would think that as society moves more and more towards increased digitization and AI, the humanities and these ideas and philosophies should be included. As a result, implementing Buddhism in this digital society could be quite difficult. How can the ideas of traditional philosophy coexist with digital technology?
Buddha taught to value the individuality and diversity of each individual 2,500 years ago. They state that Buddha has valued individuals since 2,500 years ago. Recently, SDGs have been defined, however, this concept of SDGs dates back to the period that Buddha was alive. Not many people know this, as the methods and tools that have been used to communicate Buddhist philosophy might be no longer applicable in today’s world. It is vital to update the tools and means of communication, such as incorporating the Internet and social media, so that more young people today can easily access and learn about the core spirit of Buddhism. Digital tools are important for connecting these old traditions with modern society.
One of the ways in which these ideas can be connected to the modern world is by foreign students coming here to Japan to experience this culture and bring it back. When we look at the number of foreign students coming to Japan, Japan should be a very attractive place for students to come. It has excellent facilities, and you can study in English if you choose. With the favorable devaluation of the JPY, it has never been cheaper to do so. However, when we look at the percentage of international students in Japan, it stands at 12% in comparison to 30 or 40% that we are seeing in the US and Europe. What do you think are some of the key changes that Japanese universities need to make to reverse this trend and bring more international students to Japan and reach that parity?
Providing English curricula is an important way to attract international students. Digitalization is also key for communicating our curriculum and for attending and receiving credit for each class. Fully leveraging the latest technology to communicate is vital for attracting international students to study in Japan.
Steve Jobs was going to a Buddhist temple in San Francisco. That temple was a Soto sect of Buddhism. He practiced Zen meditation at the temple. This makes us think that there may be some contribution to be made in a completely different way to business activities. Many Japanese managers are interested in incorporating this Zen mindset. We believe that the originality of our university may have the potential to serve as a bridge to convey the spirit of Zen to modern society.
Looking toward the future, your Komazawa 2030 long-term vision is based on five pillars, including developing ideas of lifelong learning, which is very important when considering AI and our rapidly changing society. It also includes spreading the ideas of Zen and trying to convert the research at the universities and apply it to society's challenges. What are some of the key strategies within this vision that you have implemented to achieve these goals, and with this rapidly changing society in mind, how do you ensure that this plan remains fluid and can react to the different changes we are seeing?
The implementation of digital tools throughout the university is a huge challenge. We are currently making good progress. However, our target is still far ahead of us. For the past two to three years, I have taken the lead in the digitalization of the university using digital tools as a methodology of communication. It has been three and a half years since we set the goal of digitalization, and we are still working hard on it. The speed at which individuals learn varies depending on how often they use digital tools. The advantage of digitalization is that it can create innovation by combining different departments. Communication between departments always leads to innovation, and that movement has already begun.
For example, our university has the Institute of Buddhism and Economics. Our faculty members specializing in economics and Buddhist studies work together to study Buddhism. This fusion of different fields may become a source of innovation in the future.
Traditionally, Buddhist teachings have been transmitted through documents. Buddhist teachings and the spirit of Zen are now in demand around the world. We will digitize these teachings so that more people can access them and appeal to the world. In the first year of university, we offer a common curriculum for all faculties called "Buddhism and Humanity," and we aim to acquire the university's philosophy, which is centered on Buddhist teachings and the spirit of Zen, regardless of which faculty you enroll in.
We only recently started this program. This year, we welcomed 26 students from our partner universities in Taiwan, Korea, Australia, France, and the UK. We have students from all over the world, gathering together, with our Japanese students acting as hosts. It is a great opportunity for communication, and it also acts as a good promotion for Komazawa University since these students will be able to spread the word about our university when they return home. It is, therefore, a very good program for advancing our globalization.
You mentioned earlier that you are the first female president of the university. This is quite rare in Japan, which is struggling for gender equality. A few years ago, the Japanese government set the target that by 2030, 30% of all senior management positions would be filled by women. However, that figure now only stands at 11%. What changes do you think Japanese companies and colleges need to make to reach that goal of 30% representation?
It is important to show evidence of Japan’s low ranking when it comes to females in management positions. Each individual needs to think about the situation and have their own opinion before providing their solutions. The Japanese educational system up to high school is more of a one-sided cram-style education where students are not given many opportunities to express their opinions. That has been the longstanding methodology for education in Japan. It is harmful to the current Japanese society, as not many people are able to express their opinions.
If it’s possible to give an example from my classes, I stress the importance of expressing one’s ideas in class and how failure leads to the betterment of oneself. It has been a cumbersome process to implement this mindset of accepting failure and being more open with one’s opinions. In today’s global society, if you do not express yourself, you are considered as not having an opinion or not thinking about the situation. Each person must have their own opinions and be able to express themselves. Providing smaller class orientation opportunities for students to train themselves for self-expression is very important.
Komazawa University has a network of partner universities around the world in countries such as Australia, the US, and Finland for example. How important is this network for attracting more foreign students, and are you currently looking to build new partnerships with overseas universities?
Partnerships with international universities are very important. Our top priority is to communicate with students outside of Japan.
Is there any particular region or country that you are targeting for partnerships?
We are considering all areas, but English-speaking countries are our primary focus.
You mentioned that one of the key pillars of your university is to attract foreign English-speaking students to come to study at the university. As such, what can these students expect when they come to study at Komazawa University?
Our Zen philosophy education is one of a kind. Practicing Zen is very important, and it may be interesting for foreign students. Learning Zen philosophy is important for us who live in a world of constant war and confusion, and for students who will lead the world in the future. I hope that you will broaden your learning by applying it to your own fields of expertise through classes on the practice of Zen meditation, not just Buddhist teachings. I hope that you will be able to be of some use in your home countries after you return.
As a university that is celebrating 432 years of history since its founding, what message would you like to send to our global leaders, and how would you like Komazawa University to be seen in the eyes of the international audience?
Komazawa University, with its 432 years of history, represents Japanese culture. I invite international students to come to the university to experience these deep Japanese traditions through the educational experiences that we offer. The 20th century was defined as the era of war. Unfortunately, war has continued into the 21st century. To achieve world peace, it is important to promote the mindset of harmony. That is a pivotal point. We want people to come to Komazawa University to learn about the concept of harmony, which is expressed in the spirit of Zen, so that it may be spread throughout the world. The Zen mindset will undoubtedly be one of the important spirits in a diverse society.
For more information, visit their website at: https://www.komazawa-u.ac.jp/english/
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