On Monday, June 22, 2026, CJS Director Mark Levin and Associate Director Joan Pan welcomed Ms. Kayoko Hirota, Manager of the International Affairs Department, Urasenke Tankokai Federation (Kyoto), to the UH Mānoa (UHM) campus.

We appreciate College of Arts, Languages, and Letter (CALL) Dean Peter Arnade and Urasenke Foundation of Hawaiʻi Vice Chief of Administration Hitoshi Murata for participating in the meeting and for their ongoing support of the Dr. Genshitsu Sen (Sōshitsu XV) International Way of Tea Center’s initiatives at UHM.

Most importantly, we are tremendously grateful for the decades-long relationship between UH, CJS, and Urasenke, fostering a deeper awareness of Japanese culture and international understanding.  Our Center looks forward to continuing this treasured friendship and partnership.