In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Institute of Japanese Studies (1985–2025) and the 10th anniversary of the Brad Richardson Memorial Fund, we invite 40 donors to contribute to the fund by November 30, 2025. Your support will help continue Dr. Richardson’s legacy and strengthen Japanese Studies at Ohio State for years to come.

To build on Brad Richardson’s contribution to Ohio State, the State of Ohio and the community of Japan-related scholars and professionals, the Ohio State Institute for Japanese Studies (IJS) has created the Brad Richardson Memorial Fund and seeks to grow it to the endowment level. Brad Richardson was a Distinguished University Professor in Political Science, the IJS founding Director and a former Honorary Consul General of Japan for Ohio. Brad passed away in 2015. 

The Memorial Fund will be used to propel us vigorously towards the same goal that Brad promoted: supporting academic and outreach activities that promote Japanese Studies on campus and that enhance the interest, knowledge and discourse on Japan-related topics in the academic communities and general public. Until the contributions to the fund reach the endowment level, the fund shall function as a current-use fund. 

2025 Brad Richardson Memorial Lecture: "Reflections on Professor Bradley M. Richardson and the Legacy of The Ohio State University"

• Date: October 29, 2025
• Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET
• Location: In person on Ohio State's Campus in the Thompson Library Room 165 (1858 Neil Avenue Mall)
• Aiji Tanaka, Waseda University
• Reception to follow (6-6:30 p.m.)
• Registration Link