ANA Strategic Research Institute Co., Ltd. (ARI) announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the European Center for Japanese Studies in Alsace (CEEJA), an educational and research institution in Europe. The MOU aims to combine the knowledge and resources of both organizations to address social challenges and cultivate future leaders for a sustainable society. The signing ceremony was held on September 14 in the VIP room of the France Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Overview of the Agreement

The partnership was first launched with an MOU in 2015 and expanded in 2019 to include ANA Holdings. Building on this foundation, the new agreement marks a significant step forward in fostering cultural and regional ties between Japan and Europe. Previous initiatives have achieved several key outcomes, including:

• Agreements linking Japanese municipalities, such as Odate City and Bizen City, with their French counterparts.
• The creation of a cultural exchange program between Akita Prefecture and Finland in 2023 through the ‘Japan Europe Regional Cooperation Help Desk’.

Under the new MOU, the partnership will broaden its reach to encompass all of Europe, with a heightened focus on showcasing Japanese culture, including traditional crafts and manga.

Key Areas of Collaboration

ARI and CEEJA will focus on the following priority initiatives:

• Promoting traditional Japanese crafts in Europe: In partnership with The Yomiuri Shimbun’s “Action! Dentou-Bunka” project and other business partners, the collaboration will expand efforts to showcase traditional Japanese crafts, highlighting cultural craftsmanship to new audiences across Europe.
• Supporting the 2027 MEMA opening: The agreement will strengthen ties between Japan’s manga-related institutions and the new “European Museum of Manga & Anime” (MEMA), which CEEJA plans to open in Colmar, France, in 2027. The initiative will establish MEMA as a premier destination for Japanese manga culture.

Remarks from the Representatives

The MOU was signed by Junko Yazawa, President & CEO of ARI, and Catherine Trautmann, President of CEEJA with the witness of Olivier Becht, Former Minister, Member of the French Parliament, and Board member of CEEJA, and Hideki Kunugi, Chairman of ARI.

Junko Yazawa expressed, “I am very pleased to conclude this new MOU, which will further strengthen the cooperative relationship between our two organizations, building on the achievements we have accumulated so far. I am confident that expanding the area of exchange to all of Europe and strengthening the promotion of Japanese culture, such as traditional crafts and manga, will be an extremely important initiative for sharing Japanese culture with the world.”

Olivier Becht stated, “I would like to express my gratitude for our partnership with ANA, which has seen numerous collaborative projects over more than 10 years. Our cooperation, previously limited to the Alsace region, will now expand to all of Europe, aiming to build a strong bond between Alsace/Europe and Japan through a 360-degree cooperation that spans diverse fields, including economy, culture, tourism, science, and academia.”

Through this partnership, ANA Strategic Research Institute will contribute to a sustainable society by showcasing the appeal of Japanese traditional culture and content to the world and by further deepening cultural and economic exchange between Japan and France.