December proved to be a busy and productive month for the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA) in Japan, marked by key meetings with crucial partners and valuable networking opportunities. These events took place on 11th December and have laid the groundwork for exciting new initiatives aimed at strengthening the Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus+ initiatives and expanding opportunities for students, staff, and universities across the country.
A pivotal meeting took place at Europa House, the European Delegation to Japan (EUD), in Tokyo. Representatives from the EUD, the Erasmus National Focal Point (ENFP, part of MEXT: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), and Yoko Kitaguchi, EMA’s Country Representative for Japan, gathered to discuss strategies for bolstering Erasmus+ in Japan.
The discussions centred around raising awareness of Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) and Erasmus+ programmes among three key stakeholder groups: prospective students, university staff and lecturers (for staff mobility), and universities themselves (for becoming consortium members in joint degree programmes). A particularly exciting development is an upcoming event hosted by the EUD at the Osaka Expo on July 20th, where experiences with EMJM and Erasmus+ will be shared. Yoko will be among the presenters at the EU pavilion, further amplifying the reach of the programme.
The meeting also addressed the important role of the media in promoting Erasmus+ opportunities. A decision was made to establish an account under EMA Japan’s name, connecting with the EUD and ENFP accounts to maximize promotional efforts across platforms. This collaborative approach will ensure broader visibility and engagement with potential participants.
Recognizing the importance of efficient resource allocation, the partners also clarified their respective roles. Yoko, as an alumni and EMA member, will focus on grassroots activities and building a strong network of dedicated alumni. The ENFP will act as the official public partner, facilitating outreach to universities. The EUD will explore funding opportunities to support promotional activities. While the plans are still developing, the commitment to regular communication promises to translate these ideas into concrete actions, ultimately expanding the Erasmus alumni network, increasing the number of participating universities, and promoting staff mobility.
The day culminated in the EUD’s annual Bonenkai (end-of-year party), also held at Europa House. This event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with a diverse range of stakeholders who have collaborated with the EUD throughout the year. Yoko, representing EMA, engaged in fruitful conversations with key figures, including the Head of Science, Innovation, Digital and Other European Policies Section, exploring future collaborations to further grow the Erasmus Mundus network, potentially in conjunction with the Marie Curie Japan Chapter.
The Bonenkai also brought exciting news regarding network growth: the number of identified EMJM alumni in Japan increased from five to eight. While still a modest figure, this represents significant progress from starting with just one contact last year, demonstrating the growing momentum of the Erasmus+ community in Japan. This expanding "Team Japan" is poised to play a vital role in further developing the network. Yoko also connected with members of MEXT, ensuring continued collaboration even with potential changes in ENFP personnel in the new Japanese business year (starting in April).
The Bonenkai was a resounding success, fostering valuable reconnections and forging new connections for the future development of EMA and Erasmus+ in Japan. The combination of focused meetings and networking opportunities in December has set the stage for a promising year of growth and collaboration, further strengthening the impact of Erasmus+ in Japan.
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