Recognized around the world for his humanitarian efforts and leadership in international affairs, Tatsuya Tanami recently joined the prestigious Wittenberg Fellow ranks during a special East Asian Studies colloquium in Ness Family Auditorium, April 7.

Following the ceremony, Tanami discussed “Public Intellectuals: A New Force for Asian Change.”

“Mr. Tanami is a wonderful human being, the kind of person you would love to have in your own community working feverishly to make the world a healthier, more peaceful, more dynamic, more truly international place,” said James Huffman, H. Orth Hirt Professor of History.

“His work has been richly varied, taking him to every part of the world for talks with presidents, scholars, journalists and common folk.”

The director of international relations and special projects for the Nippon Foundation, one of the world’s largest private, non-profit grant-funding agencies, Tanami oversees numerous activities, including the creation of a network of scholars and opinion leaders who can serve as true public intellectuals, the eradication of Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) and the improvement of soil fertility in impoverished areas.

Widely published and a sought-after speaker, Tanami graduated from the Toyko University of Foreign Studies prior to beginning a long tenure at the International House of Japan. He also studied at Wittenberg in 1974-75.

Tanami, who received a Wittenberg medal and a presidential citation in honor of his professional accomplishments and for his participation in the program, became only the 10th person conferred with the distinguished title of Fellow since the program began in 1999.

Those named are asked to spend a few days on campus to interact with students, faculty and staff, offer career counseling and serve as a vocational role model.