Department of World Languages and Cultures

Joseph Hara

Joseph Hara, Ph.D.
Distinguished University Lecturer - Emeritus
Japanese Advisor (Minor)
Office: FH 2400 D
Phone: 419.530.7793
email: joseph.hara@utoledo.edu 

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Education:

Lexington Theological Seminary – Th.D. 1976 – The New Testament Theology

“The Gospel of John – view on miracle stories from Japanese linguistic and comparison with classic Greek.”

University of Kentucky – Ph.D. Japanese linguistic – 1976.
“Linguistic connection between Japanese Culture, history and way of life.”

Pasadena City College – Japanese Linguistics – 1973.

Meiji Gakuin University – BA in English literature – 1969.

Academic work position held

The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 2008- present.

• Director of the Japanese Studies Program.
• Specialized in Japanese Language and Culture.
• Advisor for Japanese Minor program.
• Asian Study major faculty and student advisor.
• Graduate council member.

The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 1990-2008.

• Japanese language instructor.

The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 1988-1990.

• Japanese instructor for Continuing Education.

Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 1987-1990.

• Japanese language instructor.

Owen’s Community College, OH, 1985-87.

• Japanese language instructor.

Tri-State University, Angola, IN. 1980-85.

• Japanese language instructor.

Professional Conference participation and presentations:

“Secrets of Japanese Business practices” presented to Honor Society, Beta, Gamma, Sigma for the College of Business,  February 7, 2019, at the University of Toledo.

 JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) lead proctor – Dec. 1, 2, 2018 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.     

“Tension between US and China: View from Confucianism perspectives” Asian Forum by Asian Study Program.  Nov. 13, 2018. The University of Toledo.

Youth Nation Conference,  July 16, 2018.  Presentation on “Global Issue on Environmental problem and Health care system in Japan.”  The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH.

 International Student Welcome week.  Presentation on “How to survive at American College.” – sponsored by CISP, August 25, 2017.

Youth Nation Conference, July 24, 2017, at the University of Toledo. “Global Issue on Human Trafficking, Cyber Security, Water Environment.”

Presentation:  “Dealing with Japanese custom and how to assimilate Japanese visitors to American lifestyle.”  Center of International Studies and Program, August 1, 2016.   

Youth Nation Conference, July 18, 2016, at the University of Toledo. Presentation on “Global Issue on Human Trafficking, Cyber Security, Water environment, Public Health and Power sustainability in Japan.”

Presentation on “Building character and developing the world view through Study Abroad”  at the Toyohashi International Exchange Association, Toyohashi, Japan, May 29, 2016.

A lecture on “Madam Butterfly” at the Valentine Theater, Toledo, Ohio. Presentation on “Historical background and the meaning of Cho-cho-san’s suicide,”  October 17, 2015.

International Student Service of UT, "Japanese Etiquette”,  Toledo, OH, Aug. 18, 2015.

OFLA “Foreign Languages, we mean business”, Sandusky, OH. April 17, 2015.

CATJ (Central States Association of Teachers of Japanese), University of Findlay, OH.  April 11, 2015.

 AATJ (American Association of Teachers of Japanese), Chicago, IL, April 26, 2015.

 ACTFL,  , San Antonio, TX.  Nov. 20-23, 2014.

“Building character and future through study abroad” Presented at Toyohashi International exchange association, May 27, 2014.

 “Foreign Languages, we mean business” Presented at OFLA conference, Columbus, OH, April 11, 2014.

 “Japanese culture and Health system today” Presented at UTMC, January 17, 2014.

 “Universal Health Care Issue from Asian Perspectives” Presented at the School of Interdisciplinary and the Asian Studies Institute Reception, November 26, 2013.

“Status of Japanese Language instruction in higher Education” Presented at  Ohio Foreign Language Teachers Summit, Columbus State Community College, November  7. 2013.

“Return to Tohoku Region after one year of the disaster” Presented at Foreign Language Department Colloquium, November 7, 2012.

 “American College life” Presented at the Board of Education of Toyohashi, Japan.  May 26, 2012.

 “Health Care System in Japan” Presented at Asian Forum, the University of Toledo, March 2011.

 “Introduction to the life in US college” Presented at Toyohashi International Exchange Association, May 28, 2011.

 “Japanese Language teaching method to non-native speakers” Presented at Aichi University, May 26, 2011.

 “The People of Tohoku Region in Japan and the Disaster” Presented at UT forum, during Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. April 14, 2011.

 “The Response on the Ground in Japan-Local Conditions and government Action on the Nuclear Disaster in Japan” Presented at UT Public Forum, the University of Toledo, March 21, 2011.

 “Global Interests in Japanese Pop Culture” Presented at Asian Forum, the University of Toledo, September 29, 2010.

 “Comparative study on Curriculum of Japanese instructions” Presented at Aichi University, Toyohashi, Japan, May 26, 2010.

 “Japanese Studies across the world” Presented at the University of Toledo, International Education Week, November 19, 2009.

Recent Publication:

“Study Abroad in the U.S. – what you can expect from the experience”  Tonichi Newspaper, Toyohashi, Japan, May 29, 2014.

“University Student’s view of Formal and Informal Control in Japan: An Exploratory Study, Co-authored with Dr. Shanhe Jiang, June 30, 2011, The Asian Journal of Criminology.

 Developing Coursepack.

1. Japanese Conversation and Composition 2009 – customized textbook for 3010 and 3020 course.

2. Japanese Syntax and Stylistic 2009 – customized textbook for 4010 and 4020 course.

Courses taught:

• JAPN 1080  Japanese Culture and Commerce
  • Every Summer session I - current
• JAPN 1090  Japanese Culture and Civilization
  • Every semester, Fall and Spring, - current
  • 2 sections per semester
• JAPN 1110  Elementary Japanese I
• JAPN 1120  Elementary Japanese II
• JAPN 2140  Intermediate Japanese I
• JAPN 2150  Intermediate Japanese II
• JAPN 3010  Conversation and Composition I
• JAPN 3020  Conversation and Composition II
• JAPN 3170  Business Japanese
• JAPN 3410  Survey of Japanese Civilization
• JAPN 4010  Syntax and Stylistics I
• JAPN 4020  Syntax and Stylistics II
• JAPN 4190  Study Abroad
• JAPN 4980- 001 Calligraphy I
• JAPN 4980  Special Topics
• JAPN 4990- Independent studies
• HIST 1080 –History of East Asia  to 1800 –
  • 2006 – Fall
ASST 4910 (Asian Study major).
1. Effect of Christianity in Japanese culture to 1800.
2. China as a Global power.
3. Film industry in Asia and its effect on Hollywood.
4. Boarder Dispute between China and surrounding Asian nations.
ASST 2100 (Asian Study Major) Inter-disciplinary course.
• 2014. 2015 – Spring and fall.
• ENG 6990  Independent study for English for Second Language project.

Professional services:

• Ohio Board of Regent
• TAG Review Committee leader, Sept, 2015- present.
• JET (Japan English Teaching)  Coordinator for UT, 2018.
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) Proctor in Dec. 2017 at the University of Michigan, MI.
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) Proctor in Dec. 2016 at the University of Michigan, MI.
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) proctor in Dec. 2015 at the University of Michigan, MI.
• Mombusho Graduate school scholarship – Japanese Consulate in Detroit.
• JET (Japan English Teaching) sponsored by Japanese Embassy.

Accomplishments

Intensive Language Program for Summer at UT,  August 6-September 1, 2018.
Intensive Language Program for Summer at UT:  August 7 – September 3, 2016.
Organized 4 week language program in cooperation with American Language Institute of UT and Aichi University.  14 students from Aichi University participated. 

Intensive Language Seminar (4 weeks): June 4-July 1, 2016 at Aichi University.
7 UT students participated.

Appointed “Campus Security Authority” being responsible to report on any concerns or charges against students at the campus and during the study abroad program. August 5, 2016.            

Appointed “Ambassador to US” by the City Government of Toyohashi Japan, May 25, 2015, May 26, 2016 to present, 2018.

Establishing exchange program for physicians between Toledo Hospital and Toyohashi City Hospital, starting 2015.

Organized annual Japanese Spring Festival since 2010.  Attendance increased to over 400 in 2013.

Recognized by the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit for second highest enrollment in  the state of Ohio following the Ohio State University. The total enrollment for the Japanese program in 2012 was 226.  (Ohio State University - 534).

Organized the first Special Speaker Forum for the Japanese Studies program.  Mr. Kuninori Matsuda, consulate general of Japan in Detroit, was the speaker.  175 students and faculty members participated at this event on February 5, 2013.

Grant of approximately13,000 dollars yearly for the Japanese School of Toledo was awarded to UT since  2003.

Conducting the Study Abroad program in Japan for three weeks during Summer Session each year, taking average of 10 UT undergraduate students.  It is the cultural immersion-style program along with his lectures and visiting various historical sites.  This program has been ongoing since 1999. 

Organizing Study Abroad program for Executive MBA program in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Established Sister-College Exchange program with Aichi University, Aichi, Japan in 2006.

Developed the employment opportunity agreement with the Board of Education in the City of Toyohashi,  Aichi prefecture, Japan, in 2005.

Being instrumental to establish the Japanese School of Toledo in 1992, receiving a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of Japanese government.  Currently, there are over 50 Japanese children as well as Japanese heritage students in this institution.

Being president of the Japanese-American Association of Toledo as a president since 1995       

Being a vice president of the Toledo-Toyohashi Sister-City Committee as a Vice President since 2000.

Grants, Awards and acknowledgments:

Distinguished University Lecturer – April 27, 2017.

Toyohashi Friendship Ambassador to the U.S. – May 2015.

Diversity Champion – November 2014.

Deans Recognition – January 10, 2013.    

Japanese Studies program enrollment: 226 in 2015.

Outstanding Teacher award – April 2002.

Japanese government grants for the Japanese School of Toledo.       

• $ 5,480 - 2018
• $  9,000 - 2017
• $  6,557 - 2016
• $  6,720 -  2015
• $  6,120 -  2014
• $  5,600 -  2013
• $ 13,600 – 2012
• $  9,600  - 2011
• $  5,900 – 2010
• $  5,600 -  2009
• $  4,500 – 2008
• $  6,700 – 2007
• $  3,200 -  2006
• $  5,000 – 2005
• $  4,300  - 2004
• $  6,500 -  2003

Special grant from CISP  - $ 500 in 2012.

Kohler grants awarded:

• $ 1,500 - 2015
• $ 1,500 - 2014
• $ 1,000 – 2011
• $ 1,000 – 2010
• $   500 -  2009
• $   750 -  2008
• $ 1,000 -  2007
• $ 1,000 -  2006

Professional involvement and Association

• Transfer Articulation Guide Review Committee (Ohio Board of Regents).
• American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
• American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ).
• Central State Association of Teachers of Japanese (CATJ).
• Ohio Association of Teachers of Japanese (OATJ).
• Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA).
• Outstanding Teachers Association of University of Toledo.
• Toledo Faculty Club.