As part of its Latin America Project (previously reported in Issue 709 of this newsletter), Meiji University donated a total of 3,450 manga books to six institutions in Brazil and Colombia. The purpose of the donation is to have Japanese manga, which are the subject of keen interest and concern mainly among the local youth, serve as an opportunity that leads to the strengthening of relationships with Latin American countries.
In addition to the Sociedade Brasileira de Cultura Japonesa e de Assistência Social (BUNKYO) (1,000 books) and the Alianca Cultural Brasil-Japao (500 books), books were also donated to the three Brazilian partner universities of the Universidade de São Paulo (1,000 books), Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (500 books), and Faculdades Integradas Rio Branco (200 books) as well as Colombian partner university Universidad EAFIT (250 books).
A presentation ceremony was held at BUNKYO on May 7. The attendees from Meiji University were Special Advisor to the President Masato Ninomiya and members of the alumni association Brazil Shikon-kai. The manga books were presented to Vice-President Osamu Matsuo of BUNKYO. The donated manga books were placed in a section of the affiliated library reserved exclusively for them, where they can be viewed by all.
In addition, the universities receiving the donated manga books are planning to hold commemorative events and workshops. These activities are anticipated to promote education and research as well as furthering international partnership, with the manga books serving as a foundation.
