Professor Ben-Hang Chang, Director of the Carrie Chang Fine Arts Center and Professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at Tamkang University, was recently awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Government of Japan. An investiture ceremony was held at 11:30 a.m. on June 16 at the Okura Prestige Taipei Hotel, where Kazuyuki Katayama, Chief Representative of the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office, presented the medal and certificate to Chang in recognition of his longstanding dedication to the art of calligraphy and his contributions to cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. Among those attending the ceremony were Tamkang University President Huan-Chao Keh, Chairperson Flora Chia-I Chang, Director-General of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Lan-Sheng Wang, Kuo Hua Golf Chairman Liu-Lienlien Ho, soprano Susie Chien, and entertainers Bingbing Pai and Lie Yang. Former Premier Si-Kun You and former Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General Kuo-Yung Hsu were invited to deliver congratulatory remarks.

“Receiving this Japanese decoration is a great honor, but also the starting point for continued efforts,” Chang said during his speech. He noted that the award represents not only a significant personal milestone but also recognition of the long-term achievements of Taiwan–Japan calligraphy exchanges. He expressed gratitude to the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association and supporters from various sectors, while reaffirming his commitment to further strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries. Reflecting on his career, Chang recalled that his connection with Japan began during his student years through calligraphy exhibitions. He has since held 12 solo calligraphy exhibitions across Japan and hosted the television programs Chinese Calligraphy and One Character a Day for 25 years. During that period, he made numerous visits to Japan to document developments in Japanese calligraphy culture and welcomed Japanese calligraphy delegations to Taiwan, facilitating major joint exhibitions and academic exchange activities.

At Tamkang University, with the support of Chairperson Chang and President Keh, Chang has led the development of the Intelligent e-Pen, an innovative digital calligraphy platform that integrates artificial intelligence into calligraphy education. The project has attracted considerable attention from Japan’s calligraphy community. In recent years, working with a research team led by Dean Tzung-Hang Lee and in collaboration with STUDIO A, the team has further combined e-Pen and AI technologies to develop intelligent systems featuring virtual brushwriting and automatic artwork layout functions. Several Japanese institutions offering specialized calligraphy programs have since visited Tamkang University for training and collaborative exchanges, while distance-learning initiatives have further strengthened partnerships. Chang and his team are currently developing a Japanese-language version of the Intelligent e-Pen Calligraphy Learning System, aiming to create a new model for preserving and promoting traditional culture.

In addition to receiving a congratulatory message from President Ching-te Lai, Chang also received congratulatory telegrams from former President of Japan’s House of Councilors Akiko Santo, Chairman of the Japan–ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Keiji Furuya, and Taiwan’s Representative to Japan I-Yang Lee. In a congratulatory message, Tsuyoshi Kinoshita, Director of the Office of Sanae Takaichi, praised Chang’s longstanding contributions to Taiwan–Japan cultural exchanges. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also commended Chang’s efforts in promoting Taiwan–Japan calligraphy exchanges and nurturing talent through his leadership roles as President of the International Calligraphy Alliance and the Calligraphy Society of the Republic of China. Ishiba further highlighted Chang’s digital innovations, including the Intelligent e-Pen, which have helped preserve traditional culture and serve as an important bridge for deepening mutual understanding between Taiwan and Japan.

SDGs #SDG04 Quality Education #SDG09 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure #SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities #SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

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