On December 1, 2021, the opening ceremony for the first term of the Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Japanese Language and Culture Online Program was held remotely. This year, the first year of the program, 10 students from universities across China were accepted. Students participating in the program will take online classes and receive individual study support from HU students while residing in China.

During the ceremony, HU President Mitsuo Ochi gave an address in which he stated “I hope that through the program named after the first president of HU, Tatsuo Morito, students will become peace-seeking and globally active individuals. Furthermore, I hope that you will improve your Japanese language skills and your understanding of Japanese culture to a level that will enable you to study in Japan.”

Next, Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Director Toshiyuki Sato gave a congratulatory speech, in which he encouraged the students, saying “It would be wonderful if through this program you will become interested in Hiroshima University, and come study here in the near future.”

Following the addresses, an orientation session was held by a faculty member of the Morito Institute of Global Higher Education, to which the students listened attentively until the end.

This program has been designed to improve the Japanese language skills and culture understanding of undergraduate students enrolled in universities in China that have concluded inter-university exchange agreements or inter-departmental exchange agreements with Hiroshima University by providing them with online (live) Japanese language and culture education. The purpose of this program is to improve the students' Japanese language skills to a level that will enable them to study in Japan.