Discussion
On September 24, 2024, the 6th "Future of Japan in the Era of Post-Regional Studies, Future of Japan's Studies" X Japan Specialist Seminar was held online.
The seminar was attended by 18 people on-site and approximately 20 participants via Zoom. The presentation was delivered by Deputy Director-General and Professor Toshihiko Matsuda, International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken) under the title, "Reflecting on “International Japanese Studies”: Focusing on the International Japanese Studies Consortium at Nichibunken (International Research Center for Japanese Studies)."
The presenter introduced the historical background of Japanese studies and the International Japanese Studies Consortium. He explained how Nichibunken was founded in Kyoto in 1987 and how the International Japanese Studies Consortium was officially established in September 2017. The goal of this consortium is to build a global network for Japanese studies, providing a platform for domestic and international researchers to collaborate through joint research and academic exchange.
In his discussion of university corporatization and the trends of international Japanese studies, he pointed out the increasing proportion of competitive funding in Japanese national universities and raised issues related to the dissemination of Japanese studies content on an international scale.
Professor Matsuda emphasized the need for Japanese studies, which were formed under the emphasis on 'internationalization' during Japan's economic rise in the 1980s, to move beyond being a "seller's market." He also noted that with Japan's recent economic stagnation and the rising interest in China, the positioning of Japanese studies is being reevaluated.
The presenter also elaborated on the various definitions of Japanese studies. He cited the process of consolidation in the field of Japanology overseas, where Japanese studies have traditionally been considered an imported discipline, and introduced the definition and practical approaches of “International Japanese Studies,” which incorporates an international perspective. Additionally, he highlighted the role of foreign students and the importance of research conducted by these students.
In connection to this, he introduced new global projects for the consortium. Since the fourth mid-term plan began in April 2022, the transition from a domestic consortium to an international consortium has taken place, with the plan continuing until 2028. The importance and challenges of this plan were outlined. The presenter also emphasized the connection between humanities research at Japanese universities and international research networks, suggesting directions for Japanese studies in an era where Japan's global standing is declining.
After the presentation, there was a Q&A session. The main questions raised included how to appeal to Japanese students regarding the attractiveness of Japanese studies, Nichibunken's stance on popular culture research, and the division of roles related to Japanese studies. There were also questions about whether there are emerging Japanese scholars who are garnering public attention and whether Korean studies in Japan can be considered part of Japanese studies.
