Mr. Ryuji "Rick" Watanabe

Terasaki Center For Japanese Studies

Established in 1991, the UCLA Terasaki Center has been a platform for research on Japan. Our distinguished faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and the board of advisors have been contributing to the field of Japanese studies for over 20 years.

Faculty Board of Advisors Chair in US-Japan Relations Postdoctoral Fellows Alumni

Students Visitors Staff Supporters Dr. Paul I. Terasaki

The Terasaki Center sponsors a vast array of events throughout the year. With its colloquium series, the Center brings academics from diverse fields to UCLA each year. Special workshops and annual conferences bring leading scholars to discuss topics relating to Japan.

Center News Annual Newsletter

Center Events Community Events Past Events

The Center is proud to support our faculty, current and prospective students, and the local community through a variety of grants and fellowships.

Internal Funding
Learn more and apply for Center funding here.

External Funding
Funding sources in this section are not administered by the Center.

Center programs were established with strong support from the local community to promote research and instruction in Japanese studies, with a recent focus on the profound transformations unfolding in contemporary Japanese society.

UCLA Japanese Studies
Programs by Faculty and Students

Global Japan Initiative
Understanding Japan/Japanese culture within a global context.

The Terasaki Center is actively expanding support for faculty and graduate students, building relationships with other universities as well as Japan and Japanese Studies related organizations, and enhancing its role in the community.

Mission & History
Digital Archive

Global Hub
The Center is dedicated to connecting Japanese communities around the world with those engaged in the study of Japan and the Japanese.

DONATE Your gift can make a difference to Japanese studies at UCLA!

global japan initiative Understanding Japan/Japanese
culture within a global context

Mr. Ryuji "Rick" Watanabe

Board Co-chair

Ryuji (Rick) Watanabe joined Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) of Tokyo, Japan in 1979, and during his 30 + year experiences in MC he has worked over 20 years in the USA; 13 years in Houston, 5 years in Los Angeles , and 3 years in New York. Watanabe is currently VP and General Manager of Mitsubishi International Corporation (MIC) Los Angeles Office. MIC is a New York-based company, and it is a subsidiary of MCA(Mitsubishi Corporation Americas). Watanabe represents MIC and MCA in the West region of the USA, managing the MIC Los Angeles Office with business areas including food and textile. Watanabe also provides oversight as shareholder on MCA’s and MC’s subsidiaries and affiliates in Southern California ; Diamond Realty Investment Inc. ( Real estate development and management), Diamond Generating Co. ( Private electric power producer), Petro Diamond Inc. ( Petro product trading), MC Aviation Partners America ( Commercial plane leasing business), TorreyCove Capital Partners ( Pension fund advisor), and 16 other companies. Watanabe is also actively involved in local community organizations such as Japanese American Cultural & Community Center(JACCC), Japanese American National Museum (JANM), Japan American Society of Southern California ( JASSC), Japan Business Association of Southern California (JBA).