Chronicle

1950s

  • November 1951

    Cultural Center Preparatory Committee organized

    November 1951

    Cultural Center Preparatory Committee organized

  • August 27, 1952

    International House of Japan officially incorporated
    Kabayama Aisuke became the first Chairman of the International House (passed away in October 1953)

    August 27, 1952

    International House of Japan officially incorporated
    Kabayama Aisuke became the first Chairman of the International House (passed away in October 1953)

  • October 1952

    Government passed the old Iwasaki estate to the International House

    Intellectual Interchange Program started (terminated in 1996)

    October 1952

    Government passed the old Iwasaki estate to the International House

    Intellectual Interchange Program started (terminated in 1996)

  • November 1952

    Fund Raising Committee organized

    November 1952

    Fund Raising Committee organized

  • May 1953

    Visit by Mrs. Eleanor D. Roosevelt

    May 1953

    Visit by Mrs. Eleanor D. Roosevelt

  • 1954

    Distinguished Visitors Program started (terminated in 1958)

    1954

    Distinguished Visitors Program started (terminated in 1958)

  • May 1954

    Visit by Dr. Walter Gropius, architect

    May 1954

    Visit by Dr. Walter Gropius, architect

  • June 11, 1955

    Grand Opening of the International House

    June 11, 1955

    Grand Opening of the International House

  • November 1955

    Foreign Relations Dinner Address started (terminated in 2003)

    November 1955

    Foreign Relations Dinner Address started (terminated in 2003)

  • 1956

    Indo-Japanese Interchange started

    1956

    Indo-Japanese Interchange started

  • May 1956

    I-House awarded an Architectural Institute
    of Japan Prize (Architectural Work)

    May 1956

    I-House awarded an Architectural Institute
    of Japan Prize (Architectural Work)

  • October 1957

    Special Lecture by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

    October 1957

    Special Lecture by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

1960s

  • March 1960

    U.S.-Japan Studies Project started (terminated in 1970)

    March 1960

    U.S.-Japan Studies Project started (terminated in 1970)

  • November 1962

    Tenth Anniversary Dinner of the International House

    November 1962

    Tenth Anniversary Dinner of the International House

  • May 1964

    Visit by Prof. George Frost Kennan, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton

    May 1964

    Visit by Prof. George Frost Kennan, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton

  • 1965

    Assistance for Exchange of Persons Program by other organizations started (terminated in 2000)

    1965

    Assistance for Exchange of Persons Program by other organizations started (terminated in 2000)

  • May 1965

    Matsumoto Shigeharu became the second Chairman of the International House (passed away in January 1989)

    May 1965

    Matsumoto Shigeharu became the second Chairman of the International House (passed away in January 1989)

  • June 1965

    Tenth Aniversary of the Opening of the House: Special Lectures by Tange Kenzo, Howard Hibbett, and Ronald P. Dore

    June 1965

    Tenth Aniversary of the Opening of the House: Special Lectures by Tange Kenzo, Howard Hibbett, and Ronald P. Dore

  • December 1967

    Fifteenth Anniversary: Special Lectures by Ito Sei, Kato Shuichi, and Hugh Borton

    December 1967

    Fifteenth Anniversary: Special Lectures by Ito Sei, Kato Shuichi, and Hugh Borton

  • October 1968

    Asian Intellectual Cooperation Program started (terminated in 1995)

    October 1968

    Asian Intellectual Cooperation Program started (terminated in 1995)

1970s

  • December 1972 – January 1973

    Twentieth Anniversary: Special Lectures by Roger Caillois, John Fairbank, Soedjatmoko, and Harold Isaacs

    December 1972 – January 1973

    Twentieth Anniversary: Special Lectures by Roger Caillois, John Fairbank, Soedjatmoko, and Harold Isaacs

  • April 1972

    Visit by Saul Bellow, novelist

    April 1972

    Visit by Saul Bellow, novelist

  • March 1973

    Twentieth Anniversary: Round-Table Conference of Asian Intellectuals

    March 1973

    Twentieth Anniversary: Round-Table Conference of Asian Intellectuals

  • October 1973

    I-House was awarded the Japan Foundation Award

    October 1973

    I-House was awarded the Japan Foundation Award

  • December 1973

    Physical Plants closed for expansion and renovation

    December 1973

    Physical Plants closed for expansion and renovation

  • January 1976

    Renovation completed

    January 1976

    Renovation completed

  • March 1976

    Japan-Soviet Union Scientist Exchange started (terminated in 1995)

    March 1976

    Japan-Soviet Union Scientist Exchange started (terminated in 1995)

  • November 1976

    Social Science International Fellowship
    (aka Nitobe Fellowship Program) started (terminated in 2007)

    November 1976

    Social Science International Fellowship
    (aka Nitobe Fellowship Program) started (terminated in 2007)

  • 1978

    US-Japan Creative Artists Program started

    US-Japan Creative Artists Program

    1978

    US-Japan Creative Artists Program started

    US-Japan Creative Artists Program

1980s

  • March 1982

    Japan-China Intellectual Interchange started (terminated in 1995)

    Visit by Mr. Fei Xiaotong, sociologist

    March 1982

    Japan-China Intellectual Interchange started (terminated in 1995)

    Visit by Mr. Fei Xiaotong, sociologist

  • October 1982

    Thirtieth Anniversary: Conference on Japan-U.S. Cultural Relations

    October 1982

    Thirtieth Anniversary: Conference on Japan-U.S. Cultural Relations

  • 1982

    Ph.D.Kenkyukai started (terminated in 2002)

    1982

    Ph.D.Kenkyukai started (terminated in 2002)

  • February 1984

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the Cosmos Club of Washington D.C.

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

    February 1984

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the Cosmos Club of Washington D.C.

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

  • April 1984

    Visit by Dr. Clifford Geerz, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton

    April 1984

    Visit by Dr. Clifford Geerz, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton

  • January 1986

    Chinese Social Science Forum started (terminated in 2004)

    January 1986

    Chinese Social Science Forum started (terminated in 2004)

  • April 1986

    Lecture by Dr. Claude Lévi-Strauss, anthropologist

    April 1986

    Lecture by Dr. Claude Lévi-Strauss, anthropologist

  • 1987

    American Friends of International House of Japan, Inc. incorporated in New York

    1987

    American Friends of International House of Japan, Inc. incorporated in New York

  • May 1988

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the University House (Canberra, Australia)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

    May 1988

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the University House (Canberra, Australia)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

  • February 1989

    Nagai Michio became the third Chairman of the International House (resigned in June 1996)

    February 1989

    Nagai Michio became the third Chairman of the International House (resigned in June 1996)

  • April 1989

    Asian Cultural Forum started (terminated in 1992)

    April 1989

    Asian Cultural Forum started (terminated in 1992)

1990s

  • October 1992

    Fortieth Anniversary Programs including a conference on the Postwar Development of Japanese Studies in the United States with keynote speaker Donald Keene

    October 1992

    Fortieth Anniversary Programs including a conference on the Postwar Development of Japanese Studies in the United States with keynote speaker Donald Keene

  • March 1993

    Edwin O. Reischauer Lecture Series started (terminated in 2001)

    March 1993

    Edwin O. Reischauer Lecture Series started (terminated in 2001)

  • September 1996

    Asia Leadership Fellow Program (ALFP) started

    ALFP

    Kaji Motoo became the fourth Chairman of the International House (resigned in March 2004)

    September 1996

    Asia Leadership Fellow Program (ALFP) started

    ALFP

    Kaji Motoo became the fourth Chairman of the International House (resigned in March 2004)

  • 1999

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the India International Centre (New Delhi, India)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

    1999

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the India International Centre (New Delhi, India)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

2000s

  • August 2000

    Operations of LTCB International Library transferred to I-House

    LTCB Library

    August 2000

    Operations of LTCB International Library transferred to I-House

    LTCB Library

  • December 2001

    Jansen Memorial Conference: “Japan and Its Worlds: The Internationalization of Japanese Studies”

    I-House Press

    December 2001

    Jansen Memorial Conference: “Japan and Its Worlds: The Internationalization of Japanese Studies”

    I-House Press

  • September 2003

    I-House Building designated as one of Docomomo 100 Selections in Japan

    DOCOMOMO Japan

    September 2003

    I-House Building designated as one of Docomomo 100 Selections in Japan

    DOCOMOMO Japan

  • April 2004

    Takagaki Tasuku became the fifth Chairman of the International House (passed away in March 2009)

    April 2004

    Takagaki Tasuku became the fifth Chairman of the International House (passed away in March 2009)

  • April 2005

    Renovation of the East Wing started

    April 2005

    Renovation of the East Wing started

  • October 2005

    I-House garden designated as Site of Scenic Beauty of Minato-ku, Tokyo

    October 2005

    I-House garden designated as Site of Scenic Beauty of Minato-ku, Tokyo

  • April 2006

    I-House garden designated as Site of Scenic Beauty of Minato-ku, Tokyo

    April 2006

    I-House garden designated as Site of Scenic Beauty of Minato-ku, Tokyo

  • July 2006

    Commemorative Programs Celebrating the IHJ New Hall
    “The International House of Japan as Modernist Masterwork—The Rebirth of an Architectural Icon”

    Special Lecture “Japan’s Gateway to the World: What the I-House Can Do” by Dr. Sadako Ogata

    I-House Academy

    International Seminar “Questioning from the Borderline: Cross-Cultural Dialogue in Tackling a Global Agenda”

    Text (I-House Press)

    Public Symposium “Globalization and Cultural Exchange”

    July 2006

    Commemorative Programs Celebrating the IHJ New Hall
    “The International House of Japan as Modernist Masterwork—The Rebirth of an Architectural Icon”

    Special Lecture “Japan’s Gateway to the World: What the I-House Can Do” by Dr. Sadako Ogata

    I-House Academy

    International Seminar “Questioning from the Borderline: Cross-Cultural Dialogue in Tackling a Global Agenda”

    Text (I-House Press)

    Public Symposium “Globalization and Cultural Exchange”

  • August 2006

    East Wing designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

    August 2006

    East Wing designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

  • 2006

    I-House Press established

    I-House Press

    2006

    I-House Press established

    I-House Press

  • April 2007

    I-House-Shochiku Grand Kabuki Performance commemorating the 120th anniversary of “Tenran Kabuki”

    April 2007

    I-House-Shochiku Grand Kabuki Performance commemorating the 120th anniversary of “Tenran Kabuki”

  • May 2007

    I-House awarded an Architectural Institute of Japan Prize (Specific Contributions Division)

    May 2007

    I-House awarded an Architectural Institute of Japan Prize (Specific Contributions Division)

  • June 2007

    I-House Ushiba Fellowship started

    Ushiba Fellowship

    June 2007

    I-House Ushiba Fellowship started

    Ushiba Fellowship

  • 2008

    I-House awarded a BELCA (Building and Equipment Long-life Cycle Association) Prize(Best Reform Division)

    2008

    I-House awarded a BELCA (Building and Equipment Long-life Cycle Association) Prize(Best Reform Division)

  • February 2008

    I-House Lunchtime Lecture started

    I-House Lunchtime Lecture

    February 2008

    I-House Lunchtime Lecture started

    I-House Lunchtime Lecture

  • June 2008

    Nitobe Kokusai Juku started

    Nitobe

    June 2008

    Nitobe Kokusai Juku started

    Nitobe

  • June 2009

    japan@ihj started

    japan@ihj

    Akashi Yasushi became the sixth Chairman of the International House (resigned in December 2018)

    Footprints of Former Chairman Akashi Yasushi

    June 2009

    japan@ihj started

    japan@ihj

    Akashi Yasushi became the sixth Chairman of the International House (resigned in December 2018)

    Footprints of Former Chairman Akashi Yasushi

2010s

  • December 2011

    Japan-India Programs re-started

    Japan-India Program

    December 2011

    Japan-India Programs re-started

    Japan-India Program

  • April 2012

    I-House designated a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation

    April 2012

    I-House designated a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation

  • September 2012

    Program in commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the I-House “Japan in the World”

    Sixtieth Anniversary Program

    September 2012

    Program in commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the I-House “Japan in the World”

    Sixtieth Anniversary Program

  • April 2013

    [I-House Ushiba Fellowship] Dialogue and Symposium in commemoration of Mr. Antonio Negri’s first visit to Japan

    Dialogue in Japan with Antonio Negri

    Memorial Service and Reception For Donald Richie

    Memorial Service and Reception

    April 2013

    [I-House Ushiba Fellowship] Dialogue and Symposium in commemoration of Mr. Antonio Negri’s first visit to Japan

    Dialogue in Japan with Antonio Negri

    Memorial Service and Reception For Donald Richie

    Memorial Service and Reception

  • September 2013

    Reading about Japan at I-House Library started

    Library Activities

    September 2013

    Reading about Japan at I-House Library started

    Library Activities

  • November 2013

    Strategic partnership with the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation established

    Notice

     

    November 2013

    Strategic partnership with the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation established

    Notice

     

  • December 2013

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the Cornell Club-New York

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

    December 2013

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the Cornell Club-New York

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

  • April 2014

    IUC Lecture Series started (terminated co-sponsorship in 2019)

    IUC Lecture Series

    I-House Quarterly inaugurated (publication terminated in 2019)

    I-House Quarterly

    April 2014

    IUC Lecture Series started (terminated co-sponsorship in 2019)

    IUC Lecture Series

    I-House Quarterly inaugurated (publication terminated in 2019)

    I-House Quarterly

  • September 2014

    Nichibunken-IHJ Forum started

    Nichibunken-IHJ Forum

    September 2014

    Nichibunken-IHJ Forum started

    Nichibunken-IHJ Forum

  • November 2014

    Delve into Japanese Culture@I-House started

    Delve into Japanese Culture

    November 2014

    Delve into Japanese Culture@I-House started

    Delve into Japanese Culture

  • January–December 2015

    IHJ Artists’ Forum-JUSFC 40th Anniversary

    IHJ Art Programs/ Concerts 2015

     

    January–December 2015

    IHJ Artists’ Forum-JUSFC 40th Anniversary

    IHJ Art Programs/ Concerts 2015

     

  • October 2015

    Cooperative Agreement of Mutual Exchange with the Portland Japanese Garden established

    Notice

    October 2015

    Cooperative Agreement of Mutual Exchange with the Portland Japanese Garden established

    Notice

  • April 2016

    Architalk~Seeing the World through Architecture started

    Architalk

    April 2016

    Architalk~Seeing the World through Architecture started

    Architalk

  • June 2016

    I-House Library received the Award for Organizations of Distinguished Services 2016 from the Japan Special Libraries Association

    Notice

     

    June 2016

    I-House Library received the Award for Organizations of Distinguished Services 2016 from the Japan Special Libraries Association

    Notice

     

  • November 2016

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the Reform Club (London, U.K.)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

    November 2016

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the Reform Club (London, U.K.)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

  • April 2017

    History Archive Project started

    April 2017

    History Archive Project started

  • October 2017

    I-House Lecture series started (terminated in 2019)

    I-House Lecture

    October 2017

    I-House Lecture series started (terminated in 2019)

    I-House Lecture

  • March 2018

    Strategic Partnership with the Asia Society established

    Notice

    Asia Pacific Young Leaders Program (APYLP) started

    APYLP

    March 2018

    Strategic Partnership with the Asia Society established

    Notice

    Asia Pacific Young Leaders Program (APYLP) started

    APYLP

  • May 2018

    ALFP e-magazine Voices of Asia launched

    ALFP e-magazine Voices of Asia

     

    May 2018

    ALFP e-magazine Voices of Asia launched

    ALFP e-magazine Voices of Asia

     

  • January 2019

    Kondo Masaakira James became the seventh Chairman of the International House

    From the Chairman

     

    January 2019

    Kondo Masaakira James became the seventh Chairman of the International House

    From the Chairman

     

  • June 2019

    Special Lecture Series for I-House Members started

    Special Lecture Series for I-House Members

     

    June 2019

    Special Lecture Series for I-House Members started

    Special Lecture Series for I-House Members

     

  • August 2019

    Strategic Partnership with the Japan-India Association established

    Notice

     

    August 2019

    Strategic Partnership with the Japan-India Association established

    Notice

     

2020s

  • March 2020

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the The Indus Club (Mumbai, India)

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the The Tanglin Club (Singapore)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

     

    March 2020

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the The Indus Club (Mumbai, India)

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the The Tanglin Club (Singapore)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

     

  • June 2020

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with The Australian Club (Melborne, Australia)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

    June 2020

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with The Australian Club (Melborne, Australia)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

  • December 2020

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with The Union Club of Boston (Boston, U.S.A.)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

    December 2020

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with The Union Club of Boston (Boston, U.S.A.)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

  • March 2021

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the International Club Berlin (Berlin, Germany)

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with The National Liberal Club (London, U.K.)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

     

    March 2021

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with the International Club Berlin (Berlin, Germany)

    Reciprocal Agreement signed with The National Liberal Club (London, U.K.)

    Overseas Affiliated Institutions

     

     

  • February 2022

    Merger with Asia Pacific Initiative announced

    Notice

     

    February 2022

    Merger with Asia Pacific Initiative announced

    Notice

     

  • April 2022

    I-House 70th Anniversary Programs started

    I-House 70th Anniversary Programs

     

    April 2022

    I-House 70th Anniversary Programs started

    I-House 70th Anniversary Programs

     

  • May 2022

    Strategic Partnership with the India International Centre established

    Notice

     

    May 2022

    Strategic Partnership with the India International Centre established

    Notice