Yale SOM, a leading global business school, takes in applicants from all around the globe. Some international students face language barriers and experience cultural differences. To overcome diversity as an issue and instead embrace it as a boon, students lead socio-ethnic clubs. A prime example is Yale SOM’s Japan Club, which connect all Yale SOM members who have an interest in Japan, Japanese business, or Japanese culture. The club placed their primary emphasis on authenticity. The members of the club believe that authenticity is crucial in a globalized world. Holding truly authentic events and sharing Japanese culture are the values they contribute to the community.

Sharing Japanese Culture with Authenticity

For instance, in April 2016, Yale SOM’s Japan Club invited a professional sushi chef and other rice-cake making professionals from Japan to campus to host sushi making and rice-cake making events. Similarly when they held a Ninja event, they invited a real Ninja from Japan.

Sushi-Making Event at Yale SOM

At the sushi-making event, attendees learned about the history of sushi, and the sushi chef demonstrated how to make authentic sushi, called nigiri. Attendees also enjoyed samples. At the rice-making event, the club hosted a traditional mochi-tsuki or rice-making ceremony. The ceremony, customarily held in preparation for the New Year, mochi is made by pounding sticky rice in a large stone bowl with the hammer. It requires about 15 minutes of pounding for a batch of the rice to be ready to be formed into cakes and they’re then dipped in soy sauce or dusted in a sweet topping turning into an absolutely lip-smacking dish. Two representatives from Japan’s Rokusei Co., president Hidetoshi Karube and general manager Yasutaka Asano, described the rice industry in Japan and demonstrated the mochi-tsuki process before inviting students to take part. Attendees were also given samples of what was called mochi-tsuki or rice-cake making ceremony.

“Ever since I came to Yale SOM, I have looked for ways to add value to the community. Realizing that I knew Japan, my home country, more than any other student, I decided to devote my Yale SOM life to Japan Club, sharing Japanese culture with SOMers. I am proud that we have organized seven events in total this year,” says Shuhei Nakamura (MBA 2016), Leader of Japan Club, talking about his dedication to the Japan Club.

Other Yale SOM Japan Club Events & Initiatives

Yale SOM’s Japan Club has hosted a number of events since its inception. There was a Talk Friday seminar in 2014 on Fukushima by Hideaki Shiroyama, the Vice Dean of Tokyo University’s Graduate School of Public Policy. Interested students had an opportunity to have lunch with Dr. Shiroyama in advance of his talk.

The club also hosted a Japanese Tea Ceremony in 2013. It was a unique experience that even many Japanese living in Japan may not have experienced. The attendees learnt the rituals and etiquette of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony through a formal demonstration conducted by a reputable tea master. It was an excellent opportunity for Yale community members to experience a thousand-year old tradition from a totally different part of the world. Complimentary sushi, mochi (Japanese sweets), and matcha (Japanese green tea) were served, thus leaving behind special memories for all attendees to cherish.

In addition to organizing events aligned to their mission of bringing out authenticity and nurture the culture of Japan, Japan Club leaders also act as Admissions Ambassadors for Yale SOM to Japanese prospective students and work with the Career Development Office to gather information about summer internships and permanent jobs in Japan and Japanese firms.