Makassar, July 9, 2025 — The Hasanuddin University Library received a special visit from the Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, YANO Kazuhiko, and his staff on Wednesday (9/07/25), as part of a series of educational and cultural cooperation tours between Japan and Indonesia. Their visit focused on the Japan Corner, a symbol of the long-standing partnership and cultural exchange between Hasanuddin University and the Japanese government.
The group was received by the Director of the Japan Corner, Meta Sekar Puji Astuti, M.A., Ph.D.; Secretary of the Hasanuddin University Research and Community Service Institute; Prof. Ir. Suharman Hamzah, Ph.D., Professor of the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Ir. Dorothea Agnes Rampisela, M.Sc.Ph.D.; Secretary of the Hasanuddin University Library; Apt. Anshar Saud, S.Si., M.Farm. as well as a number of librarians and teaching staff from the Department of Japanese Literature and the staff of International Affairs Office (KUI) Unhas.
During the visit, the Deputy Minister expressed his deep appreciation for Unhas’ commitment to fostering academic cooperation and introducing Japanese culture to the campus community through the Japan Corner.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Japan Corner, Meta Sekar Puji, Ph.D., expressed her delight at the visit by the Deputy Minister and his entourage. She noted that the Japanese reading corner still appears modest and requires serious attention for development. Meta also showcased a collection of new books and scholarly magazines donated by Japan Ambassy, which will soon be processed and displayed for reading. She expressed her hope that the Japan Corner will become not only a space for educational literacy but also a center for cultural and learning activities that strengthen bilateral relations. “This visit is both an honor and a motivation for us to continue developing programs that bridge culture, science, and cooperation between nations,” Meta said.
The Deputy Minister of MEXT Japan praised the friendly, informative, and lively atmosphere of the Japan Corner. He also stated that his party will continue to support educational programs, student exchanges, and the provision of learning resources such as books, audiovisual media, and Japanese language training, including discussions on Japanese language, history, literature, and popular culture books available to the Unhas academic community.
During the visit, the group was invited to explore several other International Corners, such as the Korea-Indonesian Cultural Corner and the French Corner, located on the second floor of the library, and the Chinese Cultural Activity Center (CCAC) on the third floor. Several visitors to the Japan Corner also had the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with guests, demonstrating their enthusiasm for Japanese culture and the growing interest in learning Japanese among students.
Furthermore, before returning to the Unhas Hotel & Convention, the Deputy Minister’s group took the opportunity to pose for a photo in the lounge of the Hasanuddin University Library as a token of appreciation for this academic visit. This group photo concluded the friendly visit.
This activity emphasized that the Japan Corner is not merely a supplementary facility, but a concrete representation of active and ongoing international cooperation. Since its inauguration, the Japan Corner has become a popular alternative space for students to learn more about Japan, both in terms of language and culture.
This visit is expected to strengthen the relationship between Hasanuddin University and the Japanese government, particularly MEXT. The Hasanuddin University Library will continue to strive to maintain this collaborative spirit through inclusive and sustainable cultural literacy and international education services.