by Maya Funanda ’22, Contributing Writer
Photo Courtesy of Maya Funanda ‘22
Do you like sushi at Commons, but want to eat something more authentic? Do you want to know about Japan, the country that is hosting the next summer Olympics in 2020? I got you! I am starting a new student organization called the Nippon Club, or Japanese Club. This article will explain why I want to start this club and the fun activities that are lined up.
Currently, Hamilton only has two Japanese international students, and, according to the alumni records, there have only been five students from Japan in the last ten years! This small number is partly due to the limited financial aid allotted to international students. In the first week of school, however, I happened to meet as many as ten half-Japanese students, most of whom are fluent in Japanese. Moreover, multiple students told me about their genuine interest in Japanese culture beyond anime and manga, the Japanese-style animation and comics.
Before coming to Hamilton, I had not expected to find much “Japanese-ness” on campus. I was pleasantly shocked by how many people on campus appreciate authentic Japanese culture, and how many of them had never met or even heard of each other. Then, it occurred to me that a Japanese club would connect these people through their shared love of Japanese culture, while also allowing the rest of the Hamilton community to gain a better understanding of my country.
Right now, Nippon Club is planning three different types of activities: on-campus, off-campus, and a community outreach program. The E-Board has decided to host weekend Japanese breakfasts, movie nights, and discussion groups about Japan’s unique norms and critical social issues, such as the rapidly aging population, the lack of awareness of LGBTQ issues, and collectivism. If there is enough interest, the Nippon Club will also organize workshops about the skills needed to live in Japan, which will be especially useful for those who are interested in studying, traveling, and/or working in Japan. Off-campus, we will take a trip to an Asian market in Utica and meet up with Japanese students from Colgate University.
In addition to spreading information about Japanese culture and spirit among members of the Hamilton community, Nippon Club will be the bridge between Japan and the College’s admissions office. Unfortunately, Hamilton College does not seem as popular in Japan as other NESCAC schools, which may be due to the small number of current Japanese students and alumni. Therefore, Nippon Club is planning discussions between high school and college students in Japan and current Hamilton students. Hamilton students will be able to interact with Japanese people and learn about their culture, while Japanese youths will have the opportunity to learn about Hamilton. These plans may sound ambitious, but I believe that Nippon Club will be committed to making these ideas a reality.
Nippon Club will have an interest meeting as soon as it is approved by the Student Assembly. Everyone is welcome! No knowledge of Japan or the Japanese language is needed, which is the purpose of the club. I am so excited to see you unlock your inner Japanese with Nippon Club!