The University of Ghana played host to the 3rd JICA Chair on Monday, June 30, 2025, marking yet another milestone in the growing academic partnership between Ghana and Japan. The event, organized in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), featured a special public lecture on the theme “From Ink to Intelligence: The Future of Japanese Journalism in the AI Era.”
Held at the University of Ghana, the event brought together distinguished scholars, government officials, diplomats, and students to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping journalism in Japan—while preserving the country’s deep-rooted media traditions.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Kaori Hayashi, Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo, provided a historical and cultural analysis of Japan’s journalism industry from its 19th-century print roots to the present-day AI-driven landscape. She highlighted how Japan’s conservative and institution-based media culture influences the country’s cautious but steady adoption of AI tools in the newsroom.
Speaking on behalf of JICA Ghana, Chief Representative SUZUKI Momoko emphasized the importance of such intellectual exchanges in building mutual understanding and nurturing future leaders. She praised earlier academic collaborations, including a recent exchange between students of the University of Ghana and the University of Tokyo, which set the stage for the current lecture.
Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, also delivered opening remarks, stressing that Japan’s development journey offers useful lessons for Ghana and other developing nations. He noted that AI, while offering efficiency and innovation, also presents ethical dilemmas that societies must navigate carefully. He reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development through education, capacity building, and initiatives like the MEXT scholarship and the ABE Initiative.
Ambassador Yoshimoto introduced the Japanese concept of Kaizen—continuous improvement—as a guiding principle that can positively influence Ghana’s education and broader development efforts. He expressed hope that today’s lecture would spark critical reflections on how AI can be integrated into African media systems without compromising core journalistic values.
As Ghana and Japan continue to deepen their cooperation through education and technology, the 3rd JICA Chair served as a testament to the power of intellectual diplomacy in addressing global challenges and sharing valuable development experiences.
