UC3M Japanese Culture Week
Literature, music, film, gastronomy, innovation, and technology will be featured throughout the week to give us a glimpse into the reality of Japan.
Curated by Yuko Morimoto, Director of Asian Studies at the Carlos III International School and Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the School of Humanities, Communication, and Documentation at UC3M, and Manuel Hidalgo Trenado,co-director of the Master’s Program in Geopolitics and Strategic Studies and associate vice president for internationalization at UC3M.
Organized by: Office of the Vice Rector for Communication, Culture, and Transparency; Office of the Vice Rector for Internationalization; and Carlos III International School.
Program of Activities
Presentation of the UC3M Japanese Cultural Week at Casa Asia.
Official presentation of the program of activities with institutional representatives from all partner organizations.
Lecture: Words That Reveal a Culture: Japan Through Its Language, with Yuko Morimoto, Professor of Spanish Language, UC3M. An exploration of the Japanese language as a reflection of its history and social fabric, revealing the complexity of its culture.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Casa Asia Auditorium (Calle Mayor, 69, 28013 Madrid)
Admission is free until capacity is reached.
Beyond Taiko: A Performance to Kick Off Japan Cultural Week.
Announcement and opening ceremony for the UC3M Japan Cultural Week as part of the QKFest Getafe 2025 program.
During the event, flyers with the SCJ program will be handed out.
8:00 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. | UNESCO Square in Getafe
Panel Discussion: Japan in Words: An Encounter with Its Literature
Opening Remarks by Mª Victoria Pavón Lucero, Dean of the School of Humanities, Communication, and Documentation at UC3M.
Special Guest José Pazó Espinosa, writer, translator of Japanese, French, and English, and professor of Spanish at the Autonomous University of Madrid and New York University.
Moderator David Conte Imbert, professor in the Department of Humanities: Philosophy, Language, and Literature at UC3M.
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Multipurpose Room at the Humanities Library on the Getafe Campus. Building 18
Beyond Taiko: Opening Performance of Japan Cultural Week.
An immersive experience that combines cultural introduction, live performance, and audience participation. Come enjoy the world’s most vibrational percussion.
2:00–2:40 p.m. | Gardens of Building 16. Getafe Campus.
Mini-Workshop: Write Your Name in Japanese
Did you know that Japanese uses three different types of characters at the same time? In this dynamic and accessible micro-workshop, we’ll explore how the Japanese writing system—hiragana, katakana, and kanji—works and uncover the secrets behind writing them. By the end, you’ll learn how to write your own name in Japanese and take home your signature in Japanese style!
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Getafe Campus. Room 14.1.1
Directed by Yuko Morimoto, Full Professor of Spanish Language at UC3M.
8 to 25 participants. Free activity; advance registration required.
Intended for the general public.
Credit-bearing activity for UC3M students, as part of the “Implicate” Passport program
REGISTRATION: Click here and sign up for “other activities”
“Opening Lecture for the Week by His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan.” Discussion: “Japan and Spain: Paths to the Future and Global Collaboration”
With Takahiro Nakamae, His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan; Just Castillo Iglesias, a political scientist specializing in international relations and professor at the UAB; and Manuel Hidalgo Trenado, co-director of the Master’s Program in Geopolitics and Strategic Studies and associate vice president for internationalization at UC3M.
Moderated by Yuko Morimoto, Full Professor of Spanish Language at UC3M.
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Getafe Campus. Aula Magna
Free admission until capacity is reached
The Art and Ceremony of the Yukata
Discover the meaning, uses, and traditional way of wearing this iconic Japanese summer garment.
Organized by the Cultural and Press Section, Embassy of Japan in Spain.
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Getafe Campus. Teachers’ Club
Tasting of Japanese Delicacies
Learn about and taste sotakoyaki with the guidance of an expert, and enjoy the classic dorayaki sweets.
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Getafe Campus. Faculty Club
Lecture: Japan as a Mindset: From Temples to Technology / Panel Discussion: Brand Japan: Success Stories in Spain
Opening remarks by Álvaro Escribano Sáez, Principal of the Carlos III International School
Participants
José Ramón Gutiérrez Martín. Ph.D. in Economics. MBA from IESE. Professor at the ESDEN and ESIC business schools. Author of the book “Why Japanese Companies Succeed.” Alejandro Belinchón Carreras. President of the Shacho Kai Association of Japanese Companies, and Head of Japanese Business for Iberia & Italy at Tokio Marine HCC. José Antonio Cabello. Executive Director of the Shacho Kai Association of Japanese Companies
Success Stories Panel
DAIKIN. Presented by Kazuya Otoshi. Deputy Managing Director
FUJITSU. Presented by Irene García Villoria, Deputy CTO
NIPPON GASES. Presented by José Vicente Sánchez, Director of Marketing & Business Development
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Getafe Campus. Room 14.0.11
Free admission until capacity is reached
Moderate
Carlos Santiago Caballero. Professor of Economic History, UC3M.
Mini-Workshop: Japanese Through Anime and Manga
This micro-workshop offers an engaging introduction to the Japanese language, using anime and manga as teaching tools. Through scenes and comic strips, we’ll learn everyday expressions frequently used by our favorite characters, while exploring cultural aspects found in these forms of visual storytelling. No prior knowledge is required—just curiosity and a desire to learn while having fun.
Led by Ai Ibaragi, head of the Japanese Language Division at the Japan Foundation.
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Leganés Campus, Room 4.0.E.03
8 to 40 participants. Free activity; advance registration required.
Activity for people 16 and older
Credit-bearing activity for UC3M students as part of the “Implicate” Passport program
REGISTRATION: Click here to register for “other activities”
Beyond Taiko: Rhythm, Tradition, and Live Excitement
An immersive experience that combines cultural introduction, live performance, and audience participation
7:00 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. | Leganés Campus, Gardens in front of the Auditorium
Film Club. Screening of the restored version of *Princess Mononoke*
A masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki, it marks a turning point in anime both for its technical quality and for its exploration of the relationship between humans and nature and its portrayal of human motivations in all their moral complexity.
Screening in VOSE (original Japanese version with Spanish subtitles)
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | Getafe. Federico García Lorca Theater
Free admission until capacity is reached
After the screening, anyone interested may participate in the discussion that follows
Origami Workshop
Do you think origami is just paper folded into pretty shapes? In this workshop, you’ll explore folds at the intersection of art, design, and structure, and you’ll understand why origami is part of science and technology. Perfect for curious minds.
Directed by Manuel Carrasco, architect and origami specialist
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Getafe Campus. Classroom 15.1.01
6 to 12 participants. Free activity; advance registration required.
Intended for the general public.
Credit-bearing activity for UC3M students, as part of the “Implicate” passport program
REGISTRATION: Click here and sign up for “other activities”
Conference | Roundtable Discussion: Culture of Innovation
Opening remarks by César Huete Ruiz de Lira, Director of the UC3M Higher Polytechnic School
Coordination and moderation: Wilfried Romain Stefan Coenen, Associate Vice President for Internationalization at UC3M.
Panelists: Ana Gascón Marcén, Research Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at the University of Zaragoza, Luis Enrique Moreno Lorente, Professor in the Department of Systems Engineering and Automation at UC3M, and Gonzalo Sánchez Arriaga, Deputy Director of the School of Engineering (EPS): Director of the Bachelor’s Program in Aerospace Engineering. Professor of Aerospace Engineering, UC3M. Manuel Rabanal Gil, Consulting Sales Heating Engineer at Daikin.
1:00 p.m. | Rey Pastor Library, Room 3S1.08. Leganés Campus
Mini-Workshop: Write Your Name in Japanese
Did you know that Japanese uses three different types of characters at the same time? In this dynamic and accessible micro-workshop, we’ll explore how the Japanese writing system—hiragana, katakana, and kanji—works and uncover the secrets behind writing them. By the end, you’ll learn how to write your own name in Japanese and take home your signature in Japanese style!
Directed by Yuko Morimoto,Full Professor of Spanish Language at UC3M.
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Colmenarejo Campus. Room 1.1.A12
8 to 25 participants. Free activity; advance registration required.
Intended for the general public. Free admission until capacity is reached, except for students seeking recognition of their “Implicate” passport
Credit-bearing activity for UC3M students, as part of the “Get Involved” program
REGISTRATION: Click here and sign up for “other activities” if you want your “Implicate” passport to be recognized.
Flavors of Japan: Japanese Cooking Workshop
If you’re one of those people who thinks sashimi is a Japanese motorcycle brand and wasabi is a martial art… this is the workshop for you!
We’re going to learn how to make maki, nigiri, uramaki, temaki, and oshi-sushi. We’ll also include a new Japanese-Iberian creation: fusion sushi that combines the two healthiest cuisines in the world.
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Leganés Campus. Rey Pastor Library Conference Room (3.3.B.01)
Program:
- Sushi Rice Recipe
- Introduction to Sushi
- Japanese Dining Etiquette and Food Tasting Guidelines
- Cutting fish for sushi
Sushi Preparation: Fotomaki, Uramaki, Assorted Nigiri
- Sushi Presentation on Trays
- At the table: a tasting of everything we’ve prepared
By Rocío Persson, creator and chef of the blog Grastromaniac Peko Peko
From 8 to 25 seats.
Price: 10€
Intended for the general public
Credit-bearing activity for UC3M students, as part of the “Implicate” passport program
REGISTRATION: Click here and sign up for “other activities.” Registration is open until October 1 at 2:00 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion/Lecture: Japanese Visual Culture: From Film to Video Games
Coordination and moderation: Farshad Zahedi, Professor in the Department of Communication, Audiovisual Communication Division, UC3M, Lorenzo J. Torres Hortelano, Professor of Audiovisual Communication at URJC, and Imen Bouziri Boullosa, Ph.D. in Communication and Media Studies from UCM.
Event related to the “Exhibition: Japan in 24 Frames: Japanese Cinema.”
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Multipurpose Room at the Humanities Library, Building 18, Getafe Campus
Guided Tour of the Bonsai Collection at the Royal Botanical Garden-CSIC
A unique tour of the collection at the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid to explore the art and philosophy of Japanese bonsai. Beauty, balance, and nature in miniature.
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Royal Botanical Garden-CSIC
Meeting point and time: Plaza de Murillo, next to the gardens surrounding the Murillo statue, across from the north gate of the Royal Botanical Garden-CSIC.
8 to 20 participants. Free activity; advance registration required.
Intended for the general public
Credit-bearing activity for UC3M students, as part of the “Get Involved” program
REGISTRATION: Click here to sign up for “other activities”
Beyond Taiko: Rhythm, Tradition, and Live Excitement
An immersive experience that combines cultural introduction, live performance, and audience participation
6:00 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. | Puerta de Toledo Campus
September 22 through October 2
Exhibition: Japanese literature and literature about Japan.
An exhibition featuring works of Japanese literature and texts inspired by Japan. Tradition, modernity, and intersecting perspectives through the written word.
Getafe I Campus | Humanities Library
Origami Exhibition: When Math Folds into Art.
An exhibition that reveals the magic of origami from a mathematical and creative perspective. Geometry, precision, and beauty in paper. Opening mini-workshop led by Manuel Carrasco, architect and origami specialist.
Getafe, Leganés, and Puerta de Toledo Campuses | UC3M Libraries
October 3–10
Exhibition: Japan in 24 Frames: Japanese Cinema.
A bibliographic exhibition that explores the history and aesthetics of Japanese cinema through the films and studies available at the UC3M Humanities Library. This event is part of the “Roundtable Discussion/Conference: Japanese Visual Culture: From Film to Video Games.”
Getafe I Campus, Humanities Library.
Flavors of Japan at UC3M Residences
Throughout the week, the student residence halls at Carlos III University of Madrid are joining in the celebration of UC3M’s Japanese Cultural Week by offering menus inspired by Japanese cuisine. It’s a way to take a culinary journey and experience Japanese culture through food, integrating the dining experience into everyday university life. Check out the menu here .
The cafeterias in the residence halls are open to the entire university community.
Leganés and Getafe Campuses | UC3M University Housing