OnMay 19, 2012 the annual meeting of the Association of Ukrainian Studies was held at the Scott Hall of Waseda University, Tokyo. This was the first meeting with the new Association President Ms. Megumi Suezawa, Professor at the Heisei International University. The meeting was attended by professors and students of prominent Japanese universities and educational institutions as well as by members of the Japanese and international community interested in the culture, history and current events of Ukraine.

The new President of the Association revealed her intentions to reform and revitalize future Association activities. Notably Ms. Suezawa proposed organizing regular meetings not once but twice a year and establishing additional lectures and seminars on Ukrainian culture, history and contemporary life, etc.

The meeting included two presentations focusing on Ukrainian politics and culture - "Reconsidering the Democratization Process of Ukraine" and "Lemko and Lemko Language in Modern Poland" given by Yasuhiro Ikuta and Kazuhiro Sadakane. Both talks were followed by lively question and answer session.