The “ASEAN-Japan Relations Caught on FIRe” was held last February 7, 2020 at the Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City. The symposium was hosted by PHILFEJA, in cooperation with Asia Japan Alumni (ASJA) International and the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA)
Photo credit: JAOL
PHILFEJA delegates headed by President, Ms. Junelyn Pagunsan and Trustee, Mr. Philip Sanvictores, attended the 15th ASJA-ASCOJA-JAOL International Symposium and 25th ASCOJA International Conference held on October 4 and October 5, 2019 respectively. Both events were held at the Don Chan Palace Hotel and Convention in Vientiane, the capital city of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
The 15th ASJA-ASCOJA-JAOL International Symposium was centered on the theme “Food Safety-Advancing ASEAN and Japan Cooperation.” The presentations shared the different experiences and best practices of the respective ASEAN countries and Japan when it comes to food safety. A panel discussion was held after the presentations.
The 25th ASCOJA International Conference, on the other hand, gave a venue for speakers from ASCOJA member associations to share their country’s engagements and preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This year’s conference was entitled “Succeeding Together ASEAN and Japan- Towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
A day dedicated to Sports and Cultural Activities was also held on October 6, which toured participants to different temples and markets in the city. They visited several important cultural sites including Wat Si Muang temple, Patuxay Monument, Wat Si Saket temple, and the Hor Pha Keo Museum. After the city tour, the PHILFEJA delegates enjoyed traditional Lao cuisine at the Tao Salat Market and Shopping Mall.
In the afternoon, ASCOJA and ASJA held a meeting to discuss a variety of matters including the possibility of changing the hosting of ASCOJA Conference and ASJA Symposium from every year to every two years. Matters relating to the number of undergraduate scholars from ASCOJA Member countries for the Monbukagakusho Scholarship was also discussed, followed by PHILFEJA’s updates regarding the ASJA-ASCOJA-PHILFEJA Symposium 2020.
The delegates were then treated to a Gala Dinner prepared by the Japan Alumni Association of Laos (JAOL) for all delegates and guests. ASCOJA member countries presented their own cultural performances during the dinner party.
For a full account of the events, please read the travel report written by PHILFEJA President, Ms. Junelyn Pagunsan.
The Asia Japan Alumni International (ASJA) recently concluded a short study trip for Southeast Asian students of the Japanese language last November 2 to 5, 2017 in Gunma, Japan. The trip was conducted in order to help students get to know and have a personal experience of Japanese culture.
This time around, there were a total of 25 participants coming from different Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Myanmar just to name a few. One of their cultural activities during the trip was “箸作り”(hashi-dzukuri or chopsticks making) using a traditional Japanese wood planing tool called the “カンナがけ” (kanna-kage).
Watch how the students reacted to the experience and enjoyed carving and painting their own chopsticks the traditional way in this news clip from Gunma TV.
ASJA International of Japan announced in early October the schedule of four symposia to be held in association with counterpart ASCOJA associations in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.
Highlights of the Series –
ASJA-ASCOJA Symposium Series for FY 2015 (ending 31 March 2016)
| Country | JAV (Vietnam) |
PERSADA Indonesia |
OJSAT (Thailand) |
JUGAS (Singapore) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 10-13 December 2015 (F) | 18-19 December 2015 (F-Sn) | 19-20 February 2016 (F-Sn) | 4 March 2016 (Sat) | |
| Venue | ULIS-SUNHWA, University of Languages & Intenational Studies (VNU), Hanoi | Graha Wikta Bakti Hall, Darma Persada Univeristy, Jakarta | Kingpetch Room, Asia Hotel, Bangkok | Japanese Association, Singapore | |
| Theme | Japan ASEAN International Symposium on Education | Implementation of Monozukuri Spirit for Local Industries in ASEAN | Contemporary Japanese Language Teaching in ASEAN and Possible Roles of ASCOJA Chapters in Promoting Japanese Language for Business Practices under AEC | Talent Management and Globalization – the impact on ASEAN and Japan |
All ASCOJA Chapter Associations are invited to attend the 2015 ASCOJA Symposium Series, where travel and lodging costs for two (2) official delegates from each country-association will be provided by ASJA International. PHILFEJA will be participating in these symposia with nominations to be provided by the following associations:
| Country | JAV (Vietnam) |
PERSADA Indonesia |
OJSAT (Thailand) |
JUGAS (Singapore) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 10-13 December 2015 (F) | 18-19 December 2015 (F-Sn) | 19-20 February 2016 (F-Sn) | 4 March 2016 (Sat) | |
| Theme | International Symposium on Education | Monozukuri for ASEAN Industries | Contemporary Japanese Language Teaching in ASEAN | Talent Management and Globalization | |
| Nominating Association | PHILAJAMES | PHILCULTAROS | SAPILNIP | APPAJU |
Click this link for a more detailed prospectus of the Series.
ASJA International (www.asja.gr.jp/E/) recently published Volume 29 of the ASJA News Letter which can be viewed at ASJA News Letter Volume 29 (April 2015). It is a 10-page newsletter written mainly in Nihongo. The main sections of the December 2014 -March 2015 publication are:
- 日本の大学生等との交流事業【平成２６年１２月４日(木)~７日(日)】
Experiencing Life in Japan (December 4-7, 2014) - 日本企業見学【平成２７年２月５日(木)~７日(金)】
Observation Tour of Japanese Companies (February 5-6, 2015) - 第2回国際理解教育【平成２７年２月２７日(日)~７日(金)】
The 2nd Education Exercise on International Understanding (February 27, 2015) - 研修合宿【平成２７年３月６日(金)~７日(日)】
Training Camp (March 6-8, 2015) - 文化体験（歌舞伎）【平成２７年３月１５日(日)】
Experiencing Japanese Culture: Kabuki (March 15, 2015)
