The University of Findlay is one of five universities that were awarded a Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) grant by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and The Laurasian Institution for 2009-2011.

The JOI program aims to promote interest in and study of Japan by increasing grassroots exchange between the United States and Japan. Natsue Yonekura, 27, a native of Osaka, Japan, will be the JOI coordinator at The University of Findlay from August 2009 until July 2011.

She will be available to coordinate various Japan-related language and cultural activities in schools, nursing homes and other organizations in northwest Ohio. Schools and organizations interested in coordinating Japan-related activities with Yonekura should contact Hiroaki Kawamura, Ph.D., chair of the department of language and culture, c/o Cathy Donovan, at 419-434-4711 or donovan@findlay.edu.

The University has had a strong partnership with the local Japanese community in Hancock County for many years. Students regularly visit local elementary schools to teach Japanese language and culture, and each summer, the University participates in a cultural exchange program with the Kake Institute in Japan. The University seeks to expand its outreach to counties beyond Hancock.