May 17, 2010
While visiting the United States, Executive Vice-President Yuzo Onishi met with the facilitators of the New York Rakuyukai in New York City on May 17.
The New York Rakuyukai was established around 1982 for Kyoto University alumni residing in New York, and currently holds approximately 50 members. Aside from social gatherings, it holds golf competitions, invites notable people to give lectures, etc.
At the beginning of the social gathering, Executive Vice-President Yuzo Onishi provided current information on Kyoto University, such as the founding of Kyoto University Alumni in 2006, the homecoming day in November of every year, the establishment of the Tokyo Office in September of last year, the renewal of Rakuyu Kaikan, and efforts to implement a roster system of alumni. The New York Rakuyukai reported on its current status as well as the recent situation of New York, and participants exchanged various comments and opinions in a friendly atmosphere.
The New York Rakuyukai used to have more than 100 members, but after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, there have been many changes to the membership. There is a need to collect more information. The current facilitators are Mr. Hiroharu Okamoto (Faculty of Economics, graduated 1957) and Mr. Yuji Kaneko (Faculty of Engineering, graduated 1978). After this gathering, the Rakuyukai intends to deepen its relationship with Kyoto University, as well as reestablishing the organization by conducting research on Kyoto University alumni residing in New York.
Members of the New York Rakuyukai