Japanese Billionaire Yoji Sato to push One-Asia Theory in India

The Japan-based One Asia Foundation (OAF) would launch over hundred One-Asia Community Theory courses in various universities in India.

Founded by Yoji Sato – one of Japan’s richest men – the non-profit organization OAF has big plans for India and is all set to expand its footprint here in next five years. The purpose of the foundation is to establish Asian Community.

This was disclosed by OAF’s chairman Yoji Sato in an exclusive interview with Asian Community News (ACN) Network after the launch of the course at Amity University Haryana in its Gurugram campus on February 8.

“We have plans to launch over 100 courses in various universities in India in next five years. In India, we have only two courses running so far. In China, we have launched 120 courses while 30 are under preparation there,” the OAF founder and chairman told ACN.

One Asia Foundation has its branch office in Hong Kong to look after its operations in this country. Shuhei Sato, the son of Yoji Sato looks after this office. Shuhei Sato accompanied his father to Amity University too. University vice chancellor Prof (Dr) P B Sharma was also present on this occasion.

Amity University Haryana is the first private university in India to bag this project. The 3-credit certificate course split in 14 weekly sessions will be available to 45 students at university’s Amity School of Languages.

One similar project is already running in the state-owned Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi.

When asked why OAF was so late entering the Indian scene, Sato said his organization started operations in 2009 only and it did not have any connection in India earlier.

OAF has been running 360 courses in 50 countries worldwide while 177 are under preparations making the total tally to 537 courses. After China, the South Korea has 77 courses running and 22 are under preparation followed by Japan 64 and 48 courses respectively.

In his address, the AUH vice chancellor Prof. (Dr.) P B Sharma thanked Sato for awarding the project to Amity University making it first private university to bag the project in India.

While delving on the subject One Asia Community, Prof Sharma said, “We should dream for the day when whole of Asia is one culturally, ethically and economically prosperous. Everyone from whichever country they belong to should feel part of Asia. If other countries can create European community and instill aspiration in everybody in Europe Union and if Europe is one Asia too can become one and everyone citizen should contribute its share towards this cause.”

Prof. Ashok Tiku, Head – Amity School of Languages and Amity BRICS Centre said that the university aimed at running One Asia Community theory at least twice a year so that the number of students to benefit from it could be increased.

Prof. (Dr.) Padmakali Banerjee, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Santosh Kumar Gupta, project director and associate professor, Dr. Markandey Rai, President of Foreign Affairs committee of India council for international cooperation and senior advisor UNESCO were also present on the occasion.