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Mitsutaka Nakamura and PhD student Hiroko Saito work on the Takazawa collection in Hamilton Library’s Asia Collection.
A new training program for subject librarians in Japanese and Asian studies has been established at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hamilton Library, made possible through a generous donation from the Uehiro Foundation on Ethics and Education.
Through the new agreement, one library science master’s degree graduate will be hired each year for the next decade as a full-time, nine-month librarian faculty member. Mitsutaka Nakamura, Hamilton Library’s Japan Studies librarian, will supervise the program, with librarian emerita Tokiko Y. Bazzell advising.
“This is an amazing opportunity for Hamilton Library to make a lasting impact on the field of area studies librarianship, specifically Japanese studies,” said University Librarian Clem Guthro. “Bringing aspiring Japanese studies librarians here to Hamilton will be a game changer.”
While focused on Japanese studies, trainees will also gain experience from Hamilton’s area specialists in China, Okinawa, Korea, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Russian Far East.
“Hamilton Library plays a central role in the intellectual life of the University of Hawaiʻi, and the Uehiro Foundation highly values its Japan Collection for contemporary and historical research,” the foundation stated. “We look forward to seeing future leaders emerge from this program who will advance the library’s mission and continue the collection and digitization of Japanese historical materials.”
The Uehiro Foundation has partnered with UH for more than 20 years, supporting the East-West Philosophers’ Conference, the Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education, and the Uehiro Center for the Advancement of Oceanography.
UH vice president of advancement and UH Foundation CEO Tim Dolan added, “The Uehiro Foundation’s visionary investment ensures that future generations of librarians will receive the training and mentorship they need to thrive in the field. This program not only strengthens UH Mānoa, but it also expands the pipeline of professionals advancing Japanese studies librarianship worldwide.”
A personal mission
For Nakamura, who came to librarianship after careers in finance and film/TV, the program is also personal. During his own career transition, he struggled to find relevant internship opportunities, which motivated him to create similar opportunities for others.
His mentor at Columbia University offered advice that still guides him. “First you land the position. Then from day one, you should start training the new generation who will replace you in the future. Otherwise, your position will vanish after you leave.”
The first appointment will begin in July 2026, with the job posting expected in early 2026. Applicants must hold an American Library Association-accredited master’s degree in library sciences or equivalent, demonstrate strong communication skills in Japanese and English, and show a career focus in Japanese or Asian studies librarianship. For more information, email Mitsu Nakamura at japancol@hawaii.edu.
AloJapan.com