On May 27, 2025, President Takeshi Nagayasu of Nagasaki University, along with faculty members, visited Leiden University and met with President Annetje Ottow and other university leaders. The Nagasaki delegation extended congratulations on the 450th anniversary of Leiden University and engaged in discussions aimed at further strengthening bilateral collaboration.

The two universities share a deep historical connection rooted in the exchange between the Netherlands and Japan dating back to the Edo period. Today, the two universities continue to foster active and multifaceted academic exchange, with more than 10 students participating annually in mutual exchange programs such as:

• Hosting students from Leiden’s Japanese Studies through the Leiden University Japanese Language and Culture Course (LJC), organized by our Center for Japanese Language and Student Exchange
• Accepting young researchers through the Nagasaki University Medical Fund (NUMF) by the School of Medicine
• Sending students, including those in the Dutch Studies Program of the School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, to Leiden University

During the visit, Professor Pancras Hogendoorn, former Dean of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) was formally awarded by Nagasaki University School of Medicine for his longstanding contributions to academic exchange.

In addition, several meetings were held between relevant faculties at both universities, including LUMC, the Faculty of Humanities (Japanese Studies), Dutch Studies, the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, and the Law School, to discuss concrete opportunities for further collaboration.

A networking event was also held at the Japan Museum SieboldHuis, which exhibits the collection Siebold brought back from Japan. It served as an opportunity to reaffirm the deep ties between Nagasaki and Leiden.