Japanese Outreach Initiative (JOI) Program

Montana State University Billings (MSUB) has been selected as a host site for Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) program.  The JOI program promotes awareness and understanding of Japan in the United States with plentiful Japan-related activities and opportunities for an exchange of cultures. The JOI program is administered by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) and a US non-profit organization, The Laurasian Institution. Kaoru Mori was assigned as the JOI coordinator at MSUB for Summer 2022 – Summer 2024. The JOI Coordinator is housed in the Office of International Studies at MSUB.

Kaoru Mori

Kaoru Mori was born and raised in Wakayama, Japan. She majored in British and American Studies and Hospitality. After graduation, she worked as an international airline ground staff for Japan Airlines and welcomed the customers from all over the world with Japanese hospitality. She also has experience working in the marketing division of medical company. She was responsible for sales promotion and marketing research.

She hopes to provide many kinds of outreach activities and foster strong relationships between Montana and Japan.

Activities, Events and Presentations

Kaoru is available to visit schools, libraries and other organizations.

Some samples that Kaoru can provide include:

• Origami workshop
• Japanese calligraphy workshop
• Aikido (Japanese martial art) workshop
• Seasonal Japanese events
• Presentation of Japanese pop cultures (fashion, music and manga etc.)
• Presentation of traditional Japanese cultures (art, music, tea ceremony and kimono etc.)
• Presentation of Japanese hospitality
• Presentation of Japanese business rules
• Presentation of Japanese economy

If there are other activities of interest for you or your organization, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kaoru directly with your needs.