During Universities Week 2012, Imperial College London hosted its third Sanka Day, in which local school pupils visited the campus to find out more about Japanese culture and life at the university.

Sanka Day 2012

sport, Sport Imperial, japan, sanka, language, judo, drum

The Japan theme is in celebration of Imperial hosting members of the Japanese Olympic team, with Sanka meaning “participation”.  The visiting primary school children were given the opportunity to learn basic Japanese, sample some judo and traditional dancing as well as having a bash at Taiko drums. For many of the young visitors the trip was also their first time on a university campus.

The two previous days have been praised by teachers and school pupils, and have helped earn the College an Inspire Mark, which recognises innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the time of the award Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “I congratulate everyone involved in Sanka Days for securing the Inspire mark and wish you every success with your work.”

The day has also attracted the attention of the media, with NHK, Japan’s national public broadcasting corporation, sending a film crew to capture the activities on the second Sanka Day in February. Footage was then broadcast on national breakfast news in Japan.

The organisers from Sport Imperial were eager to host the third Sanka Day to coincide with Universities Week. This year the Week was Olympic-themed, celebrating the many and varied contributions universities are making to the 2012 Games. One school were lucky enough to have Maki Tsukada, a Japanese Judo Olympian and World Champion attend their Judo session.

Sport Imperial are now working towards hosting a fourth Sanka day on the 26th July to coincide with the Olympic Torch Relay and it passing through campus. This will provide a once in a life time opportunity for local children to line the route of the Olympic torch.