2022/12/7

The 22nd Japan-Spain Symposium “Japan-Spain Relations at a Turning Point in the International Order” was held in Keihanna Science City, Kyoto Prefecture. About 100 experts of art, culture, and the economic world from both Spain and Japan gathered in the event and debated on strengthening the cooperative relationship of the two countries and possible contributions to global society through multiple perspectives. This symposium is held by Consejo Foro España Japón which takes place in either Japan or Spain every other year, and is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of both countries. Kyoto Prefecture became the host city this year, hosting the first in-person symposium in three years.

【Related websites】
１）Program content of this Symposium
https://www.keihanna-plaza.co.jp/information/2022/22.html

２）History of this Symposium
Outline of the Japan-Spain Symposium（mofa.go.jp）

３）Official website of this Symposium
https://spainjapanfoundation.com/foro/2022-kioto/

After receiving an offer from Kyoto Prefecture, Professor Lluis Valls Campa of the Faculty of Foreign Studies' Hispanic Studies participated as an adviser to help prepare symposium-related events and tourism programs. Professor Reiko Tateiwa of the Faculty of Foreign Studies' Hispanic Studies took part as the representative of the Kyoto-Spain Cultural Association and exchanged opinions with the participants on the spread of Spanish culture and the learning situation of Spanish language in Kyoto.

In the symposium, KUFS graduates and Chika Yonaha, 4th-year student of the Department of Hispanic Studies, volunteered as translators. She was in charge of translating for ATR Media Information Science Laboratories and Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories at Keihanna Science City as well as tourism in Nara. He not only translated but also answered various questions on Japanese culture, history, society, and life, as there were instances where detailed explanations were expected. The Spanish guests seemed to be satisfied with how attentive and thorough he was, as he was thanked from some of them.

Making use of his Spanish language skills that he polished in college before graduating must have been a big step for him to be a global talent in the future.

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