Tadashi Yanai Donates $31 Million to Boost Japanese Humanities at UCLA
Japanese business leader and philanthropist Tadashi Yanai has made a monumental gift of $31 million to UCLA, marking the largest donation ever to the university’s Humanities Division. This funding aims to transform the study of Japanese humanities through a new initiative called “Japan Past & Present.”
A Legacy of Generosity
Yanai, the founder of the Uniqlo clothing brand and CEO of Fast Retailing, has a long history of supporting UCLA. With this latest contribution, his total donations to the university amount to nearly $59 million. This new initiative is designed to promote global collaboration among scholars and improve access to teaching and research resources in Japanese studies.
Elevating Japanese Humanities
The majority of the funds will support Japan Past & Present, a multifaceted project based in UCLA’s Department of Asian Languages and Cultures. The initiative seeks to position UCLA as a premier center for Japanese humanities while also expanding the field on a global scale.
Yanai expressed his pride in supporting the humanities, stating, “They enable us as humans to relate to and care for one another.” He believes that sharing the rich practices and art forms of Japan is vital for fostering understanding and connection among people.
A Hub for Collaboration
Japan Past & Present aims to create a web-based hub that facilitates easier access to research materials and promotes collaboration among scholars worldwide. This is especially important since many universities outside Japan don’t have dedicated departments for Japanese humanities, making it challenging for researchers to connect.
Michael Emmerich, director of the Yanai Initiative and a UCLA professor, emphasized the goal of enhancing equity within the scholarly community, ensuring that all voices and works receive the visibility they deserve.
Diverse Resources for All
The new website for Japan Past & Present, launched in March, is continuously being updated with various resources, including projects on disability studies in Japan and historical interviews. This hub will serve as an essential tool for scholars, students, and the public alike, providing access to a wealth of knowledge across different languages and topics.
Prominent scholars like Haruo Shirane from Columbia University have praised the initiative for its potential to be a “pathbreaking, multidimensional resource” that broadens the understanding of Japan’s rich history and culture.
A Commitment to the Future
As the Yanai Initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024, this latest funding signals a bright future for the field of Japanese humanities. Alexandra Minna Stern, dean of the UCLA Humanities Division, highlighted how Yanai’s gift positions UCLA as a leader in this area, making it a hub not just for scholars, but also for cultural creators from around the world.
Emmerich noted the unique advantage of being based in Los Angeles, a city rich in Japanese culture and home to a vibrant Japanese American community. The gift was made possible through the Japan Foundation, which has long supported cultural exchange programs at UCLA.
With this generous contribution, Yanai is paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic exploration of Japanese humanities, enriching both academic research and cultural understanding.