On 28 April 2022, the Arizona State University/Thunderbird School of Global Management - Hiroshima University Global School ('Global Initiative') received the designation as the “Locations in Japan of a Foreign University” from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. This means that the Global Initiative, which will open in August on the Higashihiroshima Campus, will be recognized as an educational institution and will be able to issue students visas to international students who wish to study at the Global Initiative. 

In response to this, on 9 June, Dr. Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University, and Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, Dean of Thunderbird School of Global Management, held a joint press conference at the Kasumi Campus. With a large number of media in attendance, President Ochi expressed his strong enthusiasm for the opening of the first Location in Japan of a Foreign University at a national university, saying, "Through this advanced challenge, we hope to lead the internationalization of universities throughout Japan and promote collaboration and cooperation in higher education between Japan and the United States". 

Dean Khagram then said, "ASU and Hiroshima University share a common commitment to peace and sustainability.” He renewed his determination that ASU, the largest state university in the United States, and Hiroshima University would work together to foster global leaders. 

During his stay in Hiroshima, Dean Khagram visited Higashihiroshima City Hall and exchanged views with Mr. Hironori Takagaki, Mayor of Higashihiroshima City on industry-university collaboration and the promotion of the SDGs, and visited the latest medical facilities at Hiroshima University Hospital.He also visited the Global Initiative classrooms and other facilities at the Higashihiroshima Campus, and enjoyed the beautiful fresh green season, saying that it was one of the most beautiful campuses he had visited so far.