Japanese language major earns scholarship from Japan government, will study for a year in Kyoto

Joseph Cardello holds his certificate, presented by Consul General Yasushi Misawa.

From left, Masamori Kobayashi, Paul Iinuma, Yasushi Misawa, Joseph Cardello, Kazue Kanno and Miki Ogasawara.

UH Mānoa senior Joseph Cardello has received the 2016-17 Monbukagakusho Scholarship from the Japanese government’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).  Cardello is one of only a handful of undergraduates in the U.S. to be awarded the scholarship.    

Consul General of Japan in Honolulu Yasushi Misawa formally presented the honor to Cardello during a September 15 ceremony.  Cardello will study for a year in Japan at Kyoto University.  The Monbukagakusho Scholarship covers tuition and living expenses, and also provides stipends.

Japanese instructor and MEXT Coordinator Miki Ogasawara helped Cardello through the application process.  Said Ogasawara, “Joseph’s language proficiency is of the highest level.  All of us in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures are excited that he will realize his dream of going to Japan to continue his study.”

Cardello, a native of Londonderry, New Hampshire, moved to Honolulu to pursue his BA at Mānoa.  “I had heard great things about the cultural diversity and foreign language programs at UHM. When I came for a visit, I was awed by the depth of the Japanese program and very impressed with the faculty. My high expectations were reached and exceeded.”

While in Japan, Cardello wants to learn about and gain a deeper appreciation of traditional arts such as chado (tea ceremony) and kabuki and noh (theater).   “After I earn my BA, I plan on going to graduate school to further study Japanese language and literature. Eventually, I would like to become a professor of Japanese studies.”

Acknowledging those that made this accomplishment possible, Cardello said,  “Instructor Ogasawara has helped me through the scholarship process, and has been an excellent advisor during my entire time at UHM. I would also like to thank Japanese Professor Kazue Kanno and the members of the Consulate General of Japan.”

(Full caption for group photo) From left, Masamori Kobayashi, Consul; Paul Iinuma, 2008 Monbukagakusho Scholarship recipient; Yasushi Misawa, Consul General of Japan; 2016 Monbukagakusho Scholarship recipient Joseph Cardello; Kazue Kanno, UHM Japanese professor; and Miki Ogasawara, UHM Japanese instructor.

The College of Languages, Linguistics & Literature (one of the four Arts & Sciences colleges) of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a broad curriculum in English, foreign and heritage languages and literatures, second language studies, and linguistics.  Its Asia and Pacific focused curricula is unique in the nation.  The faculty regularly teaches more than 25 languages, and has the capacity to teach many more. f you would like to support the college, please visit www.uhfoundation.org/GivetoLLL.