On July 17, 2025, Mr. AIKI Toshihiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Bosnia and Herzegovina, attended the Handover ceremony for 153 books donated to the International Burch University by the Nippon Foundation through the “Read Japan” Project. The ceremony was held at the University Library, in the presence of prof. dr. Mersid Poturak, rector of the University.
The Nippon Foundation started the “Read Japan” Project in 2008, and since its inception, the project has donated books to over 1.400 institutions worldwide. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 institutions received this valuable donation since 2011. The goal of the project is to provide readers around the world with an accurate picture of Japan through the donation of outstanding Japan-related books in English, from various fields such as politics and international relations, economics and business, society and culture, history, literature and arts, manga and Japanese language.
This year, International Burch University was chosen as one of 8 institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina that received this valuable donation. Ambassador AIKI congratulated the Universitystaff for being chosen among many applicants, and expressed his hope that the 153 donated books will contribute to the students’ and professors’ academic achievements and deepen their understanding of Japan. Ambassador AIKI added that he hopes that this will contribute to the future academic exchange between Japan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that it will strengthen the relations between the two countries.


