" Japanese Language & Culture 2025 " was held on October 19, 2025.

The program was themed around "experiencing Japanese culture while learning Japanese"* and Japanese language learners from all over the world participated via Zoom. Approximately 15 people gathered and shared a moment to deeply experience "Japan" through language and culture. The Japanese language class taught by Japanese language instructor Rikako Umanai was aimed at beginners (JLPT N5-N4 level), and focused on everyday conversation, greetings, and expressions useful for travel.

In class, in addition to basic phrases such as "hello" and "please give me ○○",

The program also explained Japan's unique politeness and communication nuances. The lessons also covered seasonal events and Japanese lifestyles . Topics included New Year's, cherry blossom viewing, summer festivals, and food culture, including sushi, rice balls, and Japanese sweets. Participants deepened their learning while experiencing the changing seasons of Japan through the screen.

In addition, the program included quizzes and mini-activities, making it an experience in which participants could "learn Japanese naturally while having fun." In the second half of the program, an art program, a regular feature of EmPath, was held.

Artists Yusuke Kasai, Aya Kasai (Melo), and Kanako Yasui took to the stage, each leading a unique session.

Kanako's session featured a unique experience using Zoom's whiteboard function, where participants used the online pen tool to draw lines of any color and thickness they liked.

Red, blue, and green lines overlap, creating a cross-border "canvas of co-creation" on the screen.

Using these lines as a starting point, Kanako combined Japanese motifs with kanji characters to create a beautiful piece of art.

Next up was a collaborative program featuring artists Yusuke Kasai and Aya Kasai (Melo). In this session, participants chose a theme of their favorite Japanese food or plant and used it to create an original New Year's card design. In addition, the New Year's card design included a space to write one kanji character representing their aspirations for the coming year, with participants choosing their own character and completing the design with their own hands. This event was a typical EmPath initiative, where participants not only learned Japanese, but also understood culture through "feeling and expressing."