Shugo Yasuda
PresidentRegional Coordinator (RC)
Japan Team
The University of Tokyo
1ST COHORT · JULY 2026
1st Cohort
On July 4 and 5, 2026, we held the 1st Cohort Conference online. Here you can find the record of the conference and the 1st Cohort Report.
1st Cohort Report
A report summarizing the achievements of the 1st Cohort and our plans for expansion. Open the PDF in a new tab or download it to read.
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.
Overview
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)
- Dates
- Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2026
15:00–21:00 Japan Standard Time / 10:00–16:00 Gulf Standard Time each day - Format
- Online (Zoom), free of charge, conducted in English
- Participants
- 42 students (16 from the Japan side, 26 from the UAE side). On the Japan side, students from The University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Waseda University, Keio University, Takushoku University, Akita University and New York University Abu Dhabi took part, along with high school students from across Japan. On the UAE side, students from Zayed University took part.
- Organized by
- An Organizing Committee (OC) of 24 university students from Japan and the UAE
- Recruitment
- Participants were recruited through social media and partner organizations, and applied via a web form.
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.
1st Cohort Leadership
Maryam Almansoori
Regional Coordinator (RC)
UAE Team
Zayed University
Keinosuke Muto
Director, Funding & Partnerships Department
Japan Team
New York University Abu Dhabi
Guest Lectures
Our Academic Advisors delivered guest lectures (45 minutes each, including Q&A), which then led into sessions planned and facilitated by students. Lectures are listed in the order they were held.
Dr. Seiko Hamada
Project Assistant Professor, Center for Foreign Language Education and Research, Keio University
LECTURE 1“Perceptions of Japan in the Medieval and Modern Arab World”
Dr. Antoine Abi Aad
Associate Professor, College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University
LECTURE 2“Reinterpreting Tradition: Bridging Arabic Calligraphy & Typography Through Japanese Logomarks”
Dr. Ahmad Aljanadbah
Associate Professor, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Zayed University
LECTURE 3“Arabic and Japanese: What Do These Two Languages Reveal About Their Cultures”
Dr. Hiroyuki Suzuki
Project Associate Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
LECTURE 4“The History and Future Outlook of Economic Relations between Japan and the UAE”
Student Sessions
Student sessions (75 minutes each) were jointly planned and facilitated by Session Units formed by Session Organizers from Japan and the UAE. Participants were divided into small Buddy Groups mixing students from Japan and the Arab region, and took part in all discussions and activities in these groups.
Pop Culture Session
Examined the two-way reception of media content, analyzing Japanese anime and manga in the UAE as well as emerging UAE content. Buddy Groups explored the potential of creative industries across the two regions.
Common Cultures Session
Compared food, clothing, housing and ceremonies to identify both similarities and differences, deepening understanding of the values we share.
Language Session
Traced the historical evolution of Arabic and Japanese, and discussed, through unique idiomatic expressions and linguistic structures, how languages shape the way we perceive objects, time and the world.
Economic Relations Session
Reviewed the history of economic relations centered on the energy trade. Buddy Groups explored forms of cooperation in green energy, AI and advanced technology, and presented ideas for future partnerships.
Final Session: Deconstructing Stereotypes
Participants learned academic theories on how cultural stereotypes arise and, drawing on their two days of shared experience, formulated concrete actions to dismantle outside biases and promote mutual understanding.
All activities followed JAYD’s Code of Conduct.
Feedback
After the conference, we surveyed participants and organizers, and the overall satisfaction rating was 9.0 / 10.0. Here are some of the comments we received.
“Going beyond cultural exchange with the other country, we had deep discussions on a wide range of themes, including economics, social issues and language. It was a refreshing, enjoyable and invaluable experience.”
“In Japan, there is no community where students studying the Arab region or Arabic can gather and share information. I strongly felt that JAYD is a pioneering initiative in this field.”
“At the start of the sessions, I was worried about my ability to communicate in English, but thanks to the support of the organizers and the way they led the conversations, by the second day I could take part without hesitation.”
“Everyone was so kind, and it was an easy environment to connect in. It was so much fun and a valuable experience!”
“My interest in the UAE and the Arab region grew even stronger, and I became even more eager to study Arabic and Islamic culture more deeply.”