Japanese government awards $5 million to UM’s Mansfield Center

A large donation from the Japanese government to the Mansfield Center established a new chair position in Japanese and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the University of Montana.

The $5.1 million donation, announced this week, created the new post, according to a news release from the university. The grant was awarded in recognition of Mike Mansfield, the longest serving U.S. ambassador to Japan. The new chair plans to foster opportunities for multidisciplinary education in Japanese and Indo-Pacific studies, including trade, rural affairs, public health, language, society and culture, the news release stated.

Montana dignitaries present an award to Makoto Iyori, the consul general of Japan in Seattle (second from left), to celebrate the establishment of the Mansfield Chair in Japanese and Indo-Pacific Affairs. Also pictured are (left to right) UM President Seth Bodnar, Mansfield Center Executive Director Deena Mansour and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte.

Ryan Brennecke, University of Montana

“Because of your generosity, we will be able to better support our shared interests in promoting deeper understanding of Japanese politics, foreign policy, Japan-U.S. relations, and research and exchanges on the promotion of a

View Source