Trinity members planning to come to Japan to compete in the Kyoto Marathon asked for a Trinity Japan dinner in Tokyo and we deliver! On Tuesday 17 February 2026 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo.
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Registration and prepayment until one week before by Tuesday 10 February 2026. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
Kyoto Marathon 2026 on Sunday 15 February 2026 9:00-15:00
note that the application via the Japanese site and the English site are not identical, the application system software is different, fees are different, and on the Japanese application site there is an additional Pair-Ekiden race, which you cannot apply via the English system.
there are two separate lottery systems for applications via the English and the Japanese registration system.
To register for the Trinity dinner meeting (not the Kyoto Marathon):
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
Trinity bonenkai dinner on Tuesday 16 December 2025 at 7:30pm in Tokyo
Ambassador Ra Jong Yil (Trinity 1967) will speak on “The Dragon and the Beauty – Why a political scientist writes fairy tale stories” (in person in Tokyo only, not on zoom)
7:30pm – 8:00pm Ambassador Ra Jong Yil: “The Dragon and the Beauty – Why a political scientist writes fairy tale stories”
8:00pm – 10pm dinner
10:15pm – nijikai
Registration and prepayment before 16 November 2025. I will send location and pre-payment details to those who register.
Ambassador Ra Jong Yil (Trinity 1967)
Ambassador Ra Jong Yil graduated with a PhD from Trinity, and held a long list of leadership positions in the South-Korean government, including National Security Advisor to President Roh Moohyun, a ministerial position, deputy director of the South Korean National Intelligence Service, Ambassador to the UK and to Japan, and President of Woosuk University (a private University with about 8000 students). He is University Distinguished Professor at Gachon University.
Ambassador Ra Jong-Yil donated the “Ra Jong-Yil Distinguished Lecture in Korean Studies” to the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
and fairy tales and many other books and publications
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Friday 28 November 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 21 November 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Friday 31 October 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo. Professor Dominic Lieven has kindly agreed to give us a short talk and discuss around the topic “Do wars always end in negotiations?”
6:00pm – 7:00pm Dominic Lieven “Do wars always end in negotiations?”
7:00pm – 9:00pm dinner
9:00pm – nijikai
Professor Dominic Lieven
Dominic Lieven is Honorary Fellow and Emeritus Fellow of Trinity College Cambridge, Fellow of the British Academy, and Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Dominic Lieven was Distinguished Professor in International History at the London School of Economics LSE, 1978-2011.
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 24 October 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Saturday 20 September 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo – please note its Saturday this time –
Amanda Talhat (Trinity 2006) will join us this time. Amanda studied Natural Sciences and then stayed for a PhD in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, all at Trinity.
Amanda is research leader at Nestlé, most recently leading a group of 50+ as Head of Physics and Technology at Nestlé.
You’ll be able to ask Amanda everything you always wanted to know, and never dared to ask, about food!
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Trinity Japan 20 Dept 2025Trinity Japan 20 Dept 2025
Registration and prepayment until one week before by Friday 12 September 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Friday 29 August 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Trinity dinner Friday 29 August 2025 18:00 in Tokyo
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 22 August 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Friday 11 July 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Trinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 11 July 2025Trinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 11 July 2025Trinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 11 July 2025Trinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 11 July 2025Trinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 11 July 2025Trinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 11 July 2025
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 4 July 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
Lunch meeting with Frank Stajano, Professor of Security and Privacy, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Director and Founder of Cambridge Cyber, for discussions on cybersecurity, e-money and other topics in Tokyo.
Discussing cybersecurity, e-money with Trinity Fellow and Professor of Security and Privacy, Frank Stajano, 28 June 2024Discussing cybersecurity, e-money with Trinity Fellow and Professor of Security and Privacy, Frank Stajano, 28 June 2024
On Friday 27 June 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo.
Three Cambridge medical students (two from Trinity) doing clinical electives in Tokyo, one stem-cell PhD researcher, and pharma/medical device professionals joined us, for discussions on neurosurgery, cancer surgery, stem-cell research, medical devices, and UK/Japan comparisons.
Trinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 27 June 2025 at 6pm in Tokyo with a group of medical students from TrinityTrinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 27 June 2025 at 6pm in Tokyo with a group of medical students from TrinityTrinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 27 June 2025 at 6pm in Tokyo with a group of medical students from TrinityTrinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 27 June 2025 at 6pm in Tokyo with a group of medical students from TrinityTrinity Japan dinner meeting Friday 27 June 2025 at 6pm in Tokyo with a group of medical students from Trinity
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 20 June 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Friday 30 May 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo.
Dinner meeting in Tokyo Friday 30 May 2025Dinner meeting in Tokyo Friday 30 May 2025Dinner meeting in Tokyo Friday 30 May 2025
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 23 May 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
Discussing Japan’s economic growth, national debt, Piero Sraffa and Trinity with Peter Poole-Wilson (Trinity 1988) 24 May 2025Discussing Japan’s economic growth, national debt, Piero Sraffa and Trinity with Peter Poole-Wilson (Trinity 1988) 24 May 2025
Discussing corporate governance reforms, decarbonization, and investments in Japan with Joyce Yim (Trinity 1991) over Trinity dinner in Tokyo on 22 May 2025.
Discussing corporate governance and investments in Japan with Joyce Yim (Trinity 1991)Discussing corporate governance and investments in Japan with Joyce Yim (Trinity 1991) 22 May 2025Discussing corporate governance and investments in Japan with Joyce Yim (Trinity 1991) 22 May 2025Discussing corporate governance and investments in Japan with Joyce Yim (Trinity 1991) 22 May 2025
Meeting with Trinity Fellow Per Ola Kristensson in Yokohama on 3 May 2025 with discussions on AI, Trinity in Japan and many other topics.
About Professor Per Ola Kristensson
Per Ola Kristensson is Professor of Interactive Systems Engineering in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Discussion with Trinity Fellow Professor Per Ola Kristensson on AI and other topics 3 May 2025Discussion with Trinity Fellow Professor Per Ola Kristensson on AI and other topics 3 May 2025Discussion with Trinity Fellow Professor Per Ola Kristensson on AI and other topics 3 May 2025Discussion with Trinity Fellow Professor Per Ola Kristensson on AI and other topics 3 May 2025
On Friday 25 April 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo.
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Dinner meeting Friday 25 April 2025 at 6pm in TokyoDinner meeting Friday 25 April 2025 at 6pm in Tokyo
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 18 April 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Thursday 3 April 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo.
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Trinity Japan Dinner meeting in Tokyo Thursday 3 April 2025Trinity Japan Dinner meeting in Tokyo Thursday 3 April 2025Trinity Japan Dinner meeting in Tokyo Thursday 3 April 2025
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 28 March 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Thursday 20 February 2025 at 6pm we’ll meet for dinner in central Tokyo.
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Trinity Japan Dinner meeting Thursday 20 February 2025Trinity Japan Dinner meeting Thursday 20 February 2025Trinity Japan Dinner meeting Thursday 20 February 2025Trinity Japan Dinner meeting Thursday 20 February 2025
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Thursday 13 February 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
On Friday 31 January 2025 at 6pm we will have our 2025 shinnenkai – new year meeting – in central Tokyo.
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 24 January 2025. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
New Year Dinner meeting Friday 31 January 2025 6pm in TokyoNew Year Dinner meeting Friday 31 January 2025 6pm in TokyoNew Year Dinner meeting Friday 31 January 2025 6pm in TokyoNew Year Dinner meeting Friday 31 January 2025 6pm in Tokyo
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
All Trinity members – Fellows, Past Fellows, students, alumni very welcome
On Friday 20 December 2024 at 6pm we will have our 2024 bonenkai – year end meeting – in central Tokyo.
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 13 December 2024. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
Trinity Japan dinner with Trinity PhD alumnus Ambassador Ra Jong-Yil on 18 December 2024.
Ambassador Ra Jong-Yil
Ambassador Ra Jong-Yil served as South Korea’s ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2001 to 2003 and as its ambassador to Japan from 2004 to 2007, and is former head of the Republic of Korea’s national intelligence service.
Ambassador Ra Jong-Yil donated the “Ra Jong-Yil Distinguished Lecture in Korean Studies” to the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Trinity Japan member and prolific film director John Williams (Professor, Faculty of Foreign Studies, Sophia University, Tokyo) will show two of his recent films in Tokyo, and we are planning Trinity Japan discussion dinners with John Williams in the New Year 2025 on John’s films.
『北鵜島』North Cormorant Island
“North Cormorant Island”, Director John Williams, will be shown on Saturday 30 November 2024 at 12:40, and on Monday 9 December 2024 at 14:20 at the Tokyo Documentary Film Festival 2024 at Tokyo Shinjuku K’s Cinema
“Tabi/Another Time” (film in Japanese with English subtitles), Director John Williams, will be shown on Saturday 14 December 2024 at 18:00 (doors open at 17:30) in Library, Room 911, Sophia University, Tokyo. Film followed by Q&A with the puppets and a Live Tanuki.
A young woman travels to a remote village on Sado Island in Japan to photograph the local puppets, but when she arrives there, she learns that the puppets do not perform anymore and the village is abandoned and haunted by ghosts, one of which may be herself in a previous tragic life. The film is shot entirely in the village of Kitaushima on Sado Island.
All Trinity members – Fellows, Past Fellows, students, alumni very welcome
On Friday 15 November 2024 at 6pm we will have our dinner in central Tokyo.
6:00pm – 8:30pm dinner
8:45pm – nijikai
Trinity Japan 15 Nov 2024Trinity Japan 15 Nov 2024
Registration and prepayment until one week before on Friday 8 November 2024. I will send location details and account details for prepayment to those who register.
To register:
All Trinity College Cambridge Fellows, students, alumni or members living in or visiting Japan are more than welcome to join us. To register, or for any enquiries contact us here:
Trinity Japan dinner with Dame Carol Black (Chair of The British Library Board) and Sir Roly Keating (Chief Executive of The British Library) on Thursday 31 October 2024 in Tokyo.
Professor Stephen Toope (Trinity 1983), President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) on his recent book “A Rule of Law for Our New Age of Anxiety” and thoughts of a Vice-Chancellor
Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”
Location: central Tokyo, I will inform registered participants of the location and other details
Tuesday 8 October 2024 at 17:00 in Tokyo
5:00pm – 6:00pm moderated discussion with Professor Stephen Toope on his recent book “A Rule of Law for Our New Age of Anxiety” and other topics, moderated by Gerhard Fasol. Participants who like to contribute to the discussion, are requested to send a short outline of their question or contribution to Gerhard Fasol until about one week before the event
6:00pm – 6:30pm Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”
6:30pm – 9:00pm dinner
followed by nijikai (not included, costs shared by participants)
All Trinity Fellows, alumni, members, students globally are welcome to join us.
Fee to include drinks party, dinner and unlimited drinks (from a limited menu): to be advised. (nijikai will be extra)
Registration and prepayment: required until Thursday 5 September 2024. For registration please use the form below.
Professor Stephen Toope (Trinity 1983)
Professor Stephen Toope is currently the 5th President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)
From 2017 – 2022, Professor Toope was the 346th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge
Professor Toope (Trinity 1983) graduated with a PhD in arbitration law from Trinity College Cambridge in 1987, and on 21 October 2016 was elected Honorary Fellow of Trinity.
Professor Toope graduated with an A.B. degree in English Literature and European History from Harvard College, and graduated with law degrees in common law and civil law from the McGill University Faculty of Law in 1983.
Professor Toope has served in a long list of leadership positions including Dean of McGill University Faculty of Law, Head of the Trudeau Foundation, 12th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia, Director of the University of Toronto Munk School of Global Affairs, 346th Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, and now President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), as well as a sequence of distinguished Professorships, and honorary positions and distinctions.
Mixed international Arbitration, author: Stephen J Toope, Cambridge University Press, 1990
Legitimacy and Legality in International Law: An Interactional Account (Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law, Book 67), authors: Jutta Brunnée, Stephen J Toope, Cambridge University Press, 2010
After the Paris Attacks: Responses in Canada, Europe, and Around the Globe, editors: Edward M Iacobucci, Stephen J Toope, University of Toronto Press, 2015
Stephen Toope, previous 346th Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, ‘A rule of law for our new age of anxiety’ 8 October 2024 and Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”Stephen Toope, previous 346th Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, ‘A rule of law for our new age of anxiety’ 8 October 2024 and Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”Stephen Toope, previous 346th Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, ‘A rule of law for our new age of anxiety’ 8 October 2024 and Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”Stephen Toope, previous 346th Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, ‘A rule of law for our new age of anxiety’ 8 October 2024 and Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”Stephen Toope, previous 346th Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, ‘A rule of law for our new age of anxiety’ 8 October 2024 and Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”Stephen Toope, previous 346th Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, ‘A rule of law for our new age of anxiety’ 8 October 2024 and Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”Stephen Toope, previous 346th Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, ‘A rule of law for our new age of anxiety’ 8 October 2024 and Kazumi Nishikawa, Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry (METI), “latest developments of METI/GOJ’s economic security policy and Japan’s innovation policy”
Register, enquiries
all Trinity Fellows, alumni and members are very welcome. Please state your connection to Trinity.
Ivan Sorrentino (Trinity 1988), Head of Regional Marketing, Northeast and Southeast Asia Pacific Cambridge University Press and Assessment, will talk on “Japan and the English language”
and Michael Banner to give an update on the College
We founded Trinity in Japan on 5 September 2014 – we will celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Trinity in Japan with an event in Tokyo on Friday 6 September 2024.
Highlight of our 10 year celebration will be Ivan Sorrentino addressing one of the most charming and puzzling aspects of Japan – the general level of English in Japan. Ivan read Chemistry and Maths at Trinity, and for the last 30 years in the English language teaching industry in Japan, most in leading roles at Cambridge University Press.
All Trinity Fellows, alumni, members, students globally are welcome to join us.
6:00pm – 7:00pm Ivan Sorrentino: “Japan and the English language”. Talk and discussion
7:00pm – 9:00pm dinner, with Michael Banner to give us an update on the College
9:15pm – nijikai (attending nijikai only is also a possibility)
Registration and prepayment before Friday 30 August 2024. I will send prepayment details to those who register with me.
Trinity in Japan – Mission (English version)
トリニティ・イン・ジャパンの目的・ミッション（日本語版）
Trinity in Japan mission (Japanese language version)
“Japan and the English language” – summary
Why is the general level of English in Japan so low? Is this an intrinsic problem with the system of education or an unrealistic expectation from outside. Many factors are involved in determining how easy specific language learning is in any given country, and Japan is no exception. These factors include motivation, teaching styles, assessment types, recognition and washback. Given this backdrop, what are the possible ways forward for Japan?
Ivan Sorrentino (Trinity 1988)
Head of Regional Marketing, Northeast and Southeast Asia Pacific Cambridge University Press and Assessment
Ivan is the Head of Regional Marketing for the English language teaching and learning materials and exams at Cambridge University Press and Assessment, based in Tokyo. Although his current geographical remit covers countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, and Australia, the earlier part of his career was focused on Japan promoting materials and teaching methodologies aimed at prioritizing communicative competence and active learning over rote memorization.
In addition, his remit includes Recognition, where companies, educational institutes, ministries, and immigration departments recognize Cambridge exams as one of the key admission criteria.
Ivan Sorrentino (Trinity 1988) graduated with a BA in Chemistry and Mathematics from Trinity College and Cambridge University.
The Revd Dr Michael Banner
Dean of Chapel and Fellow, Director of Studies in Theology, Chair of Alumni Relations and Development, Trinity College
Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024Japan and the English Language, speaker: Ivan Sorrentino (Cambridge University Press), and with Michael Banner, 10 years Trinity in Japan, 6 Sept 2024
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