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of Chiune Sugihara, granted the permission to Vytautas Magnus University’s Centre for Asian Studies to publish historical document Nr. 220 issued by Prof.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.

The document states that Ms. Yukiko Sugihara arrived to the hospital on May 28th, 1:30 P.M. after (more…)

Erasmus+ teaching visit

December 28th, 2017

This December VMU lector and chief coordinator of the Centre for Asian Studies dr. Linas Didvalis was visiting University of Ljubljana in Slovenia based on Erasmus+ Teaching Visit program. This opportunity allowed to visit faculties of arts and social sciences, learn more about the status of Asian studies, meet academic staff and discuss future cooperation. Dr. Didvalis also gave three lectures to both BA and MA students: about environmental movements in Japan, challenges in East Asian international relations and China’s impact on international development policies. (more…)

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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.

‘Ten days, ten cities, fourteen interviews and countless exciting moments,- the project (more…)

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.   (more…)

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. (more…)

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 “Persona Non Grata”. Movie starts at 6:00 P.M. The event is free and open to everyone.

Chiune Sugihara was a Japanese Vice-Consul in Lithuania who lived in Kaunas (in a “Sugihara House” historical building) during the period of 1939 – 1940. While residing there, he saved thousands of Jewish people by issuing transit visas though Japan allowing them to flee from the holocaust and Nazi occupation. (more…)

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. (more…)

Open lecture about Tibet

October 18th, 2017

Time for Asia events invite all to an open lecture on contemporary Tibet – “Deep Tibet: emerging trends in Tibet today”. It will be given by Tibet’s expert Vincent Metten (EU Policy Director, International Campaign for Tibet, Brussels’ office) on October 27, from 12:00 in Putvinskio 23 building, room 103. During the lecture, Mr. Metten will present Tibet’s contemporary situation, emerging challenges and future trends. The event is free and open to all. (more…)

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”.

Glove Puppetry, also known as “Budai Xi”, is a kind of opera which makes use of cloth puppets. Ever since it was introduced to Taiwan by Fujian immigrants in the18th century, its compact and rapid artistic performance became integrated with opera music in Taiwan, making it the most popular operatic form in Taiwan. (more…)

Dr. Aurelijus Zykas, Head of the Centre for Asian Studies has published a monograph “Lead by soft power: communication of country’s image and Japan”. It provides analysis on relevant topics that link such fields as public diplomacy, information warfare, propaganda, country’s image and nation branding. The Monograph not only gives an overview of the history and interrelationship of activities related to the management of image communication, but also combines various theoretical approaches. Through the case of Japan, the image communication challenges arising to the states of contemporary World are being discussed. (more…)