JAPAN-ARAB YOUTH DIALOGUE
Dialogue Connecting Japan and the Arab Region
Japan-Arab Youth Dialogue (JAYD) is a student organization founded in March 2026 by students at The University of Tokyo and Zayed University. We believe understanding begins when people talk with each other. Through our Annual Conference and “JAYD Community,” we build lasting connections between Japan and the Arab region.
ABOUT
About JAYD
Relations between Japan and the Arab region have long been discussed mainly in terms of the energy trade. JAYD places cultural exchange at the center of its activities, believing that understanding the values behind each other’s cultures lays the foundation for cooperation in economics and technology.
- Founded
- March 2026
- Based at
- The University of Tokyo (Japan) and Zayed University (UAE)
- Run by
- Students in each Regional Team, working together
- Activities
- Annual Conference, other events, JAYD Community, social media
Our Three Missions
Deepen Mutual Understanding
Discuss concrete themes in culture, society and history, and reexamine the stereotypes we hold about each other.
Develop Next-Generation Leaders
Through lectures, dialogue and hands-on organizing, we develop leaders who will shape the future of Japan and the Arab region.
Advance Japan-Arab Relations
Building on lasting connections between students, we work to advance relations between Japan and the Arab region.
ACTIVITIES
Activities
Annual Conference
Every July · Online · 2 days
Consists of guest lectures by experts and sessions planned and facilitated by students.
Other Events
Throughout the year
Outside the Annual Conference, we hold lectures, study sessions and other events, both online and in person.
JAYD Community
Year-round · Discord
An information hub where people in Japan and the Arab region, students and professionals alike, exchange information and connect through event announcements and language pairs.
Social Media
Instagram · X
We share content such as “The Arab Region and Me,” a series in which our organizers talk about their connection to the Arab region.
IN-PERSON
JUSCO (Japan-UAE Student Conference)
An in-person student conference to be held in Japan in summer 2027, where Japanese and UAE students meet face to face and deepen their connections. It is run by the In-person Programs Department as its flagship program.
42
Student participants
16 from Japan, 26 from the UAE
24
Organizing Committee (OC)
Japan Team and UAE Team
4
Academic Advisors
UTokyo, Keio University, Zayed University
9.0/ 10
Overall satisfaction
Post-conference survey (n = 20)
Figures from the 1st Cohort Conference (July 4–5, 2026, online). See the 1st Cohort record
REPORT
1st Cohort Report
JAYD 1st Cohort Report
Strategic Roadmap for a Sustainable Japan-Arab Youth Dialogue
Covers the achievements of the 1st Cohort Conference, our organizational structure, student-led sessions, feedback, and plans for expansion to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
ACADEMIC ADVISORS
Academic Advisors
Four faculty members at universities in Japan and the UAE support us as Academic Advisors, delivering guest lectures and advising on our operations.
Dr. Seiko Hamada
Project Assistant Professor, Center for Foreign Language Education and Research, Keio University
Dr. Hiroyuki Suzuki
Project Associate Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Dr. Antoine Abi Aad
Associate Professor, College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University
Dr. Ahmad Aljanadbah
Associate Professor, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Zayed University
JOIN US
Join as a Participant or Organizer
For the 2nd Cohort (July 2027, planned to be held online), there are two ways to get involved.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Join the Organizing Team (recruiting now)
Work with students across countries to run the Annual Conference, other events and JAYD Community.
About organizingHigh school, undergraduate and graduate students
Join the Annual Conference
Students from Japan and the Arab region discuss together at the Annual Conference. Participant recruitment has not yet opened; we will announce it once the start date is decided.
About participatingWe also run “JAYD Community” (Discord), an information hub where people in Japan and the Arab region connect with each other. Students and professionals alike can join after applying through a form (invitation only).
About JAYD CommunityPARTNERS
Sponsors, Partners and Supporters
Partner
Emirati Private Entity for Japan-UAE cultural exchange that supported the outreach for our 1st Cohort.
Partner
A student association at Takushoku University that supported the outreach for our 1st Cohort.
Collaboration
JUSCO (Japan-UAE Student Conference)
An in-person student conference to be held in Japan in summer 2027, run by JAYD’s In-person Programs Department as its flagship program.
JAYD is free to participate in. To make in-person exchange possible, we are seeking sponsorship, partnership and support from foundations, companies and organizations.
How to support JAYDABOUT
Overview
Basic information about JAYD: how it was founded, where it is based, and how it is run.
View pageMISSION
Mission
The three missions behind JAYD and why we connect students in Japan and the Arab region.
View pageACTIVITIES
Activities
The annual conference, events, the Community and social media: an overview of what JAYD does.
View page1ST COHORT
1st Cohort
A record of the online 1st Cohort Conference held in July 2026, with the full report.
View pageJOIN US
Join Us
We are recruiting organizer members. See also how to join the conference, events and Community.
View pageCOMMUNITY
JAYD Community
An information hub on Discord where people connecting Japan and the Arab region meet. Students and professionals welcome.
View pageCONTACT
Contact
For media, sponsorship, partnership and other questions, please get in touch.
View page