Governance
of the Maison du Japon

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND YOUR ARRIVAL AT THE CITÉ INTERNATIONALE.

I devoted more than thirty-five years to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Throughout my career, I had the opportunity to serve in several diplomatic missions in French-speaking countries such as Belgium, France, Cameroon, Tunisia, Mauritius, and New Caledonia. This experience deeply taught me that the foundations of a peaceful world rest on tolerance and respect. It is therefore a great honor and immense pleasure for me to assume the role of Director of the Maison du Japon at the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, a place dedicated to dialogue, encounters, and exchanges between students and researchers, in a spirit of openness, tolerance, and mutual respect.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES THE CITÉ INTERNATIONALE A UNIQUE CAMPUS IN THE WORLD?

I do not know of any other place in the world where so many students and researchers from different countries live together on one single vast campus.

HOW DOES LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE ALLOW RESIDENTS TO HAVE A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON THE WORLD AND HOW IS IT A SPRING BOARD FOR THEIR FUTURES?

As I have only just taken up my position, I would very much like to observe the impact that life on campus has on the residents.

IF YOU HAD TO SUM UP THE CITÉ INTERNATIONALE IN ONE WORD, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I choose the word “harmony.” The harmony that will emerge among students and researchers from different cultural backgrounds will no doubt be wonderful. I am convinced that it is precisely this harmony that holds the key to building the peace to which the founders of the campus aspired.