Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) 2022 Okinawa Architect Convention

In-Person Event:

Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) 2022 Okinawa Architect Convention

October 19 – 22

The JIA President Naomi Sato and JIA International Relations Committee invited Jane Frederick, FAIA (2020 AIA National President) to International President`s Forum. George Kunihiro, FAIA (Past President of ARCASIA and AIA Japan) and Segene Park, AIA (Immediate Past President of AIA Japan, 2023-2024 AIA International Secretary-elect) was also invited as a guest.

SUMMARY:

It was a three-day convention that brought together hundreds of architects from Japan. This year, Okinawa celebrates the 50th anniversary of its reversion and the convention focused on conservation, heritage, and cultural identity.

The first day of the convention, Dr. Abu Sayeed M. Ahmed (President of ARCASIA) talked about conservation in Bangladesh, Farhana Sharmin Emu (Chairperson of ARCASIA AHPG) talked about Heritage Preservation Group`s activities, Dr. In-Souk Cho (Former International Co-director, UIA WP Heritage Cultural Identity) talked about reconstruction of SungNyeMun in Korea, Yuzuru Tsukagawa and Shun Hori (Architects of Nihon Sekkei) showed a video explaining Kumamoto castle reconstruction observation path, and Haruhisa Uejima (Representative of JIA Heritage Architect School) talked about their activities.

Shortly after the presentation, JIA President Naomi Sato hosted the panel discussion. The panelists were Jane Frederick, FAIA (2020 the American Institute of Architects National President), Sumpalung Chana, ASA (President of The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage), Chungyu Shin, KIRA (President’s Representative of Korea Institute of Registered Architects), Eui Young Chun, KIA (President of Korean Institute of Architects). They shared their ideas about how we can preserve modern architecture. There were only a few invited guests at the Yashio-sou Yara Hall, however, it was broadcasted on YouTube and recorded. The guests were Masaharu Rokushika (Immediate Past President of JIA), Jeyu Park, KIA (Immediate Past President of KIA), Dr. Howon Kang, KIRA, George Kunihiro, FAIA (Past President of ARCASIA and AIA Japan), Segene Park, AIA (Immediate Past President of AIA Japan, 2023-2024 AIA International Secretary-elect), and other distinguished guests.

Right after the President`s Forum, the opening party was held at the Sunset Cruise. During the party, JIA President Naomi Sato played saxophone to entertain the participants.

The second day began with a private tour of the reconstruction site of Shuri Castle. The castle was destroyed by fire in 2019. Based on the discovery of maintenance records in Tokyo, architects have produced drawings with the advice of many experts over the past two years. The construction will take place over the next four years, and for the construction, Japanese cypress timbers are still gathering from all over Japan and are slowly drying in the temporary building.

After the visit to Shuri Castle, the guests were guided to the main symposium at the Naha Culture and Arts Theater, where the opening ceremony, awards ceremony, lectures, and panel discussions were held.

In the evening, a reception party was held for JIA members and guests at the Okinawa Harborview Hotel, and the Japanese emperor came and stayed the next day.

The reception started with the opening video taken the previous day and the Japanese traditional opening ceremony of a cask of sake. The Okinawa dance and Karate performance entertained the participants. Also, there was a greeting message from the JIA Okinawa Chapter, followed by the announcement of next year’s convention venue by the Tokai Chapter. JIA has 9 chapters in Japan and a chapter in China.