At the beginning of this association, I wish to concentrate on its relations with Japanese and European partners and seeking the finance necessary for our activities. I feel I can contribute to the development of the Association by continuing the work I began 4 years ago and reassure Japanese and European institutional partners by supporting our new association over the coming months. I offer myself forward for the role of President until the election of a new Board of Directors later in 2024, when our organization and all the members of the association will have taken their bearings and will be more numerous than today.

As head of the public Japanese Garden in Hasselt, Belgium, I’m most interested in the preservation and operation of public Japanese Gardens. It is with this common good in the back of my mind, I’d like to cultivate a comprehensive list of Japanese Gardens. I feel I can contribute to the development of the Association by providing the perspective of public Japanese Gardens of which there are few right now in the EuroJGA.

As a PhD qualified scientist I worked as an academic researcher and later as a senior manager in the UK’s National Health Service. This has involved writing papers, organising conferences and serving as Honorary Secretary for my professional non-profit organisation. Since retiring in 2019 I have used this experience to support my personal interest in Japanese gardens as Chair of the Japanese Garden Society (UK based non-profit organisation) My focus has been to use digital technology to improve our communication and decision-making. I feel I can contribute to the development of the EuroJGA through continuing my contribution as Governance lead as well as supporting the Inventory and Communication Committees.

As a trained educator following a degree in science education I have undertaken a variety of roles including being community manager for several social media websites and I have professional experience related to quality standards and governance. It has been my motivation for more than 11 years to connect people and expand the knowledge and interest for Japanese gardens in the world. I am a member of several associations related with Japanese gardens and I wish to actively contribute with the growth and success of this new organization in Europe.

As Director of the Japanese garden in Maulévrier (a non-profit Association) I am able to bring my experience of strategy, communication, public relations, accounting, management and legal issues to contribute to EuroJGA decision-making.

I have a degree in forestry (University of Ryûkyû in Okinawa) and a diploma in landscape design from the École Nationale Supérieure de Paysage in Versailles (2010). My work focuses on landscape issues, from the garden to the territory, and gardening techniques, while highlighting the crossroads of different cultures, particularly Franco-Japanese, and interdisciplinarity, while highlighting the intersection of different cultures, particularly Franco-Japanese. Having a PhD in landscape science, I will be able to contribute to scientific, academic and educational activities. I could also be useful in terms of making connections with Japan.

I am a professor at the Department for Modern Japan Studies (Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, Germany). In the last two decades, I have extensively researched Japanese gardens in the West and Japan. My book Spaces in Translation: Japanese Gardens and the West (Pennsylvania University Press) has won two scientific awards. I have also curated an exhibition on Japanese gardens in Germany for the Museum of Garden Art Düsseldorf. Currently, I am finishing a manuscript entitled Turning Gardens in Japan into Japanese Gardens: Nation, Nature, Heritage, and Modernity since the 1890s which will appear with Amsterdam University Press as an open- access book in 2024. Due to my research on Japanese gardens, I have access to a broad network of scholars with similar interests. Activating this network can help sharpen our understanding of Japanese gardens in Europe, help enlist older gardens as heritage sites, and bring people interested in historical background of Japanese gardens in the West to EuroJGA. I can also contribute to the inventory of Japanese gardens in Europe.

I am a professional horticulturist working in a public Japanese garden in the UK. My experience in learning horticulture, garden and landscape designs, and garden history in different countries; Japan, UK and USA and in different types of education settings, such as Masters, certificate, fellowship training course, and workshop will be useful for the Education Committee. I feel I can bring Japanese views into education and training courses for all levels, by not only forming courses and arranging workshop but also developing course materials which include information only Japanese gardeners might obtain (with my knowledge and also by contributing to the Japanese Liaison committee. I am also interested in making some contribution to the inventory and marketing, in particular social media, if I have enough time!

Specialising in Japanese-inspired gardens for 42 years (working with Erik Borja between 1981 and 1999) I have been a contractor for 38 years, specialising in Japanese-inspired gardens (paving, ponds, waterfalls, pruning). I have organised workshops and training courses since 2006, including being a trainer in Japanese-inspired gardens for 4 years at the Lycée Romans Terre d’Horizon and training over 80 students and professionals from companies and public parks. I have participated in training courses and workshops led by Japanese professionals in France, Italy, England and Switzerland and developed strong links with Japanese garden professionals based in Italy and Switzerland. Between 2017-23 I was vice-president of UNEP (regional group of the national union of landscape companies), and a member of the national board of directors for the last 2 years. As President of Association Française du Jardin Japonais since 2021 I feel I can contribute to the development of EuroJGA by bringing together those who already offer training courses and workshops, helping to develop a Europe wide framework for training for students, professionals and amateurs, and organising visits by Japanese experts to provide training workshops and demonstrations in Europe.

I am Vice-President of the CCVS (French plant heritage) invested in a project of an European connection to promote and preserve the European botanical treasures. I am interested establishing a strong financial basis for the future of the association and willing to contribute to the work of the Communications and Governance Committees.