Japan Outreach Initiative Coordinator

Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI)

Japan ranks as the 4th largest trading partner of the United States, behind Canada, China, and Mexico. Despite this fact, many of Americans have little knowledge and awareness of Japan, its culture and significance and contributions to the United States and the rest of the world.

To address this issue, The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) and The Laurasian Institution (TLI) designed the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI). This program offers a grassroots opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Japan by sending Japanese individuals to U.S. sites as volunteer coordinators of community outreach activities about Japan. To find out more about this program visit: www.laurasian.org/joi/.

USF Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI)

The goal of the USF Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator is to promote understanding of Japanese culture, language, and business practices for USF students as well as the broader Tampa Bay and Florida communities. The JOI Coordinator facilitates dialogue about current Japan-U.S. issues and gives Japanese language and culture presentations, and organizes events.

Presentations include: Japanese culture and language, comparative analysis of the U.S. and Japan, conducting business in Japan, preparing for job interviews, in addition to many other topics.

There is no charge to the group or organization requesting a presentation. Please contact Mr. Mitsuo Ogishima directly to request a presentation or his attendance at an event.

View slideshow of recent activities>>

Mitsuo Ogishima - USF Japan Outreach Initiative Coordinator

Mr. Mitsuo Ogishima is a Tokyo native. He attended Dokkyo University in Tokyo where he received his BA degree in English. Mr. Ogishima’s background includes years of experience in business planning and operations with global-based hardware and software companies such as Oracle Corporation.

Mr. Ogishima also has vast Japanese language teaching experience. He has taught in Malaysia and Japan and worked as a Japanese Language Teaching Assistant at Colorado State University. He also spent time as a Japanese Volunteer teacher at the Japanese Language Institute at Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin, International Education Center in Japan.
In his free time, Mr. Ogishima enjoys traveling, outdoor sports, and watching sports.
International Affairs is honored to have Mr. Ogishima serve as the Japanese Outreach Initiative Coordinator at USF.

News

Mr. Ogishima Visits LaVoy Exceptional Student Center
October 21, 2009

Mr. Ogishima conducted a workshop at LaVoy Exceptional Student Center. He folded origami Kabuto Helmets out of newspaper for students to wear and showed pictures of Japan. Students learned how to write Japanese characters in calligraphy and make origami cats. Audrey Adair-Hauser, Lavoy Music teacher, was thrilled with the event.

Read letter from Audrey Adair-Hauser>>

View slideshow>>

Events and Activities

The Japan Outreach Initiative Coordinator has many programs and initiatives for groups of all ages. A few are listed below; please contact Mr. Ogishima for more details.
Japanese Language Geography of Japan Topological Differences between Japan and the U.S. Japanese Business & Trends Daily Life Job Interview Skills with Japanese Companies Animation Japanese Clothing Wrapping (Furoshiki) Traditional Toys & Games Tea Ceremonies Origami Paper Activities Calligraphy Origin of Kanji

Contact

Mitsuo Ogishima
University of South Florida
International Affairs
4202 E. Fowler Avenue CPR 107
Tampa, FL 33620
mogishima@iac.usf.edu
813-974-9948