This January a representative of the Centre for Asian Studies dr. Linas Didvalis visited the University of Leeds. The goal of the visit was to learn about the structure of East Asian study programs, to discus research activities, and possibility to start student exchanges. Dr. Didvalis met staff representatives from the School of Politics and International Studies, the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, and the School of Sociology and Social Policy. In addition of valuable exchange of experience and good practices, the visit resulted in agreement to start arranging academic staff and student exchange between the two universities in the field of East Asia region studies. (more…)
Recently, Ms. Madoka Sugihara, grand-daughter of Chiune Sugihara, granted the permission to Vytautas Magnus University’s Centre for Asian Studies to publish historical document Nr. 220 issued by Prof. Dr. Mažylis Private Hospital (currently Mažylis Maternity Hospital) which testifies the birth of Haruki, the third son of Ch. Sugihara. The record which has been found in Kaunas Regional State Archives not only testifies that Sugihara’s son was born in Kaunas, but also provides new information.
On November 28 – December 9, filming has been taking place in different locations of Japan, as a part of the ongoing project of VMU Centre for Asian Studies (CAS). During the intensive program the Head of the CAS Dr Aurelijus Zykas, together with Kristijonas Jakubsonas, a lecturer from the VMU Department of Public Communication have visited 10 cities in Japan, where they met with the scholars and public figures, and filmed important locations, objects and documents.
On December 6th Japanese business and education representatives visited VMU and during the meeting with University’s representatives discussed possible cooperation. Among the guests there were “Fukuyama Transporting Co.” President and C.E.O. Shigehiro Komaru, Executive and Vice President of Hiroshima University Toshiyuki Sato, Shibuya Ikueikai Foundation managing director Hidemitsu Murata and representative from the Embassy of Japan in Lithuania. 
During October 4-11, Alanta Kaminskaitė, a fourth-year Bachelor’s Degree Program in East Asian Cultures and Languages student has won national “MIRAI” program’s contest and visited Japan. The program is supported by the Japanese government and is dedicated to the young leaders of the future. During the program, dozens of students from various countries spent a week in Japan, where they participated in discussions, visited local and central government institutions, various campaigns, universities, got acquainted with Japan’s economic and political system, culture. 
On November 23rd in VMU Small Hall (S. Daukantas st. 28) the Center for Asian Studies together with the Embassy of Japan in Lithuania invites you to the screening of the movie about Chiune Sugihara 
We are very proud to announce that during Vytautas Magnus University’s (VMU) Vice-Rector‘s for International Relation’s prof. Ineta Dabašinskienė visit to Japan on 23rd of June 2017 established relations between Sophia University recently developed into a new partnership. Collaboration was officially recognized by signing the Cooperation Agreement on 11th of October 2017 with cooperation scope for student and faculty exchanges, joint projects’ and programmes’ implementation. We are delighted that Sophia University became 18th Partner University in Japan. 
On October 18-29, in the hall next to V. Biržiška reading room (K. Donelaitis str. 52), VMU Centre for Asian studies with the help of Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia organize exhibition of Taiwan’s dolls “Taiwan and its culture”.
