【Reported by Yi-feng Lu, Tamkang Times】Haruki Murakami research has become quite popular in Taiwan and throughout the world, even receiving a nobel prize. In 2012 Tamkang University’s Japanese Department designed the Haruki Murakami research program and founded the first Haruki Murakami research center in Taiwan. On September 22nd the official opening for the center was held, hosted by President Flora Chia-I Chang, who invited Translator of English Literature and former professor of Tokyo University, Motoyuki Shibata, to give a lecture contrasting American literature with Haruki Murakami.

Director of the Center for Murakamiharuki Studies, Chiu-kuei Tseng, expressed, “In the future we will sustain Haruki Murakami research utilizing hardware, software and all related materials to create a diverse curriculum.“ Chiu-kuei has held the Haruki Murakami International research conferences three consecutive times in Japan, Korea and Malaysia. For this event, special guest, Motoyuki Shibata, was invited to enlighten people in great detail regarding the writings of Haruki Murakami.

Former assistant of the TKU Center for Murakamiharuki Studies and alumni of the Department of Japanese, Chao Sheng, expressed, “Since high school I’ve been very fascinated with Haruki Murakami’s products. I love the way he describes the moods and emotions of all the characters and the events are all very meaningful. Making people more aware of the context of his books will have a profound and positive impact on the literary world.”

On the opening day the Dean of the College of Languages and Literature, Hsi-deh Wu, Dean of Research and Development, Der-wen Chang, Director of National Taiwan University’s Department of Japanese, Shing-Ching Shyu, and Motoyuki Shibata received a lot of attention from NHK News on their visit. The news broadcast about the event is set to air on the 23rd of this month.