Discussion
On March 18, 2025, the 291st Japan Specialist Seminar was held in a hybrid format, with 25 attendees on-site and 20 online. Professor YAMA Yoshiyuki, Director of the Institute of Disaster Area Revitalization, Regrowth and Governance at Kwansei Gakuin University and Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo’s Earthquake Research Institute, gave a talk titled “Disaster, Philosophy, and East Asia – From the Attempt of East Asian Disaster Humanities” (災難·哲学·東アジア-東アジア災害人文学の試みから).
As the lead researcher of the collaborative project Establishing East Asian Disaster Humanities, Professor Yama has spearheaded interdisciplinary research across the humanities and natural sciences. In this seminar, he introduced the forthcoming publication Invitation to East Asian Disaster Humanities: Humanities for an Era of Climate Change and Frequent Disasters. After outlining the concept and importance of “East Asian Disaster Humanities,” his lecture focused on three subtopics: “The History of Disasters and East Asia,” “Language and Thought on Disasters,” and “Collaborative Humanities Practices in the Field.” He noted that even within East Asia, linguistic and conceptual differences between terms like “disaster” (災害) and “calamity” (災難) can lead to varying interpretations and responses, sometimes hindering academic and practical collaboration. These challenges, he explained, stem not only from disciplinary differences but also from communication gaps between researchers, civil society, and local communities.
To address issues in disaster response and recovery, he proposed approaches centered on “disaster heritage,” “philosophical practice,” and “East Asian cooperation.” He also stressed the need for creating communicative spaces where researchers, residents, and institutions—despite differing languages, mindsets, and interests—can come together on-site to share perspectives and build more effective collaboration.
Following the presentation, Professor CHEUNG Ching-yuen (張政遠) of the University of Tokyo led an online comment and Q&A session. The discussion explored topics such as linguistic and conceptual distinctions around “disaster,” the role of philosophy and social thought, and the possibilities for cross-border, interdisciplinary communication among East Asian scholars.
The session concluded with audience questions on topics including global understandings of disaster, how popular culture conveys disaster experiences, Japanese views of nature, perceptions of place and homeland, and trauma communication related to disaster experiences.
