REPORT:Architecture without Borders—University of Hyogo at Expo 2025 Osaka

Following the establishment of a satellite office in Bucharest, Romania, in 2024 (the only satellite office of a Japanese university in Romania which is fully staffed and active on a permanent basis), University of Hyogo has continued its efforts to strengthen the academic and cultural relationships with Romania, and by extension, with Europe.

University of Hyogo was the official academic partner of the Romanian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, and on October 11 it was the co-organizer of the “Architecture without Borders” event, together with the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest. The event focused on the intersection of Romanian and Japanese architecture, as well as the design and construction of the Romanian Pavilion. Professor Marian Moiceanu, Rector of the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest, talked about the directions of architecture and architecture education in Romania.

Professor Yushi Utaka, from the School of Human Science and Environment, offered a Japanese perspective on the design and construction of the Romanian Pavilion. Other participants were Mr. Ferdinand Nagy, Commissioner General of Romania at Expo 2025 Osaka, Professor Horia Moldovan, President of the University Council, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Professor Hayato Uchida, Vice-president of the University of Hyogo, Professor Masanao Kawakami, School of Economics and Management, University of Hyogo, and Professor Carmen Tamas (organizer), Chair of the Department of Global Business, Graduate School of Social Sciences, University of Hyogo.