It is my sincere pleasure to welcome all participants to the International Higher Education Forum Tokyo Joint Conference. As the local host and a keynote speaker for the conference, I am excited to help facilitate an atmosphere in which robust discussions on various topics can flourish. One of the hallmarks of the conference is its ability to bring together academics and researchers from a variety of disciplines where each of our unique perspectives can provide new insights. What new light might an economist shed on your research? Can a sociologist help you draw a new conclusion from your data set? What can other participants suggest for your future research directions? It is our goal to create a collaborative environment throughout the conference.

As the setting for International Higher Education Forum Tokyo Joint Conference, Tokyo, Japan is an ideal choice as one of the most exciting, vibrant and ever-developing cities in Asia. In preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tokyo is already seeing many transformations across the huge metropolis, which is home to an estimated 36 million people, or 25% of Japan’s population. We hope you’ll have time to explore some of the fascinating neighborhoods of Tokyo: the high street of Omotesando with its brand shops and pricey cafes; Harajuku with its eclectic mix of fashion and young crowds (try a crepe from one of the many street stalls there!); Shibuya with one of the world’s busiest pedestrian intersections; Yoyogi Park or Shinjuku Gyoen for a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the sprawling metropolis. No matter what you do, Tokyo will certainly offer you an unforgettable experience.
 

Finally, I look forward to meeting you all in Tokyo and hope that together, we can make the International Higher Education Forum Tokyo Joint Conference a successful, fruitful experience for everyone.

Best regards,

Jeffrey Trambley, local host and keynote speaker
Associate Professor, Faculty of International Communication, Musashino Gakuin University