The 5th International Conference of the Japanese Studies Association in Southeast Asia

ASEAN and Japanese Studies: Futures and Critical Approaches

The Japanese Studies Association in Southeast Asia (JSA-ASEAN) is a network among Japanese Studies scholars from Southeast Asia. It was set up in 2005 to serve as a catalyst in promoting Japanese studies in this region. It is the only organization with the aim of bringing together major Japanese studies specialists from various Southeast Asian countries with their counterparts from Japan and other countries. It is hoped that with the combined resources of Japanese studies specialists in Southeast Asia, JSA-ASEAN would grow to become an important platform for the promotion of region-wide Japanese studies.

In order to stimulate interest and promote networks among scholars in Southeast Asia, JSA-ASEAN organizes a biennial conference as the major platform for a trans-disciplinary international exchange. The inaugural conference was hosted by Department of Japanese Studies, National University of Singapore in October 2006. The second JSA-ASEAN conference was held in Hanoi in October 2009, organized by Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences. The third JSA-ASEAN conference was held in Kuala Lumpur by University of Malaya in 2012. The fourth JSA-ASEAN conference was held in Bangkok by the Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat University in 2014.


CALL FOR PAPERS

Graduate Student Workshop
DATES: 13-14 December 2016
VENUE: Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

Conference
DATES: 15-16 December 2016
VENUE: Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

Organized by
Ateneo de Manila University, Japanese Studies Program
De La Salle University, International Studies Department
University of the Philippines, Third World Studies Center
with the support of the Japan Foundation



OVERVIEW:

The year 2015 saw a series of events that would redirect and transform Japanese society: the apparent failure of Abenomics, the recurrent issue of Japan’s war responsibility at 70th Anniversary of end of World War II, public debates and actions against the Peace and Security Preservation Legislation, controversies about the preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the gradual reinstatement of nuclear power generation, and the forceful implementation of the new Social Security and Tax Number System. The government’s campaign of Cool Japan seems to have lost its lure amidst the competition with the powerful cultural promotion of South Korea and China in the international market of economic as well as cultural commodities. Crucial cuts to humanities and social sciences at universities will possibly engender the expansive and in-depth impact on the future generation of Japan. At this crossroads, the conference invites scholars of Japanese Studies, from the region and beyond, to examine the past and the present of Japan, and explore the possibilities of its future.


The conference organizers invite individual papers, panels, posters and short films/videos relating to the conference theme. The sub-themes may include:

A. Peace and security
B. Social classes and subcultures
C. Gender
D. International relations
E. Political economy
F. Migration
G. Disaster
H. Community activism and networking
I. Language and literature

New and aspiring proposals in other areas are also welcome.

GUIDELINES FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

1) Abstracts should be not more than 500 words in English or Japanese. Possible sub-themes into which the abstract falls may also be indicated.
2) Please include author's name(s), institutional affiliation, and complete contact information (email-address, telephone number and mailing address).
3) The deadline for submissions is 15 July 2016. Please send abstracts by email to jspadmu@gmail.com.
4) Graduate Students who are interested in participating in the Graduate Student Workshop on 13-14 December 2016 must write their intention in the submission.
5) All submissions will be refereed.

Graduate Student travel grants
The JSA-ASEAN offers competitive travel grants to graduate students who are accepted to present their paper to the conference. No additional applications beyond the submission of your abstract is necessary.

Travel Grants for paper presenters

The Japan Foundation will offer travel grants to selected paper presenters from Southeast Asia and the United States based on the recommendation by JSA-ASEAN. No additional applications beyond the submission of your abstract are necessary. Please include you need for travel support with your abstract submission. (Graduate students are prioritized.)

For other inquiries, contact the Conference Secretariat at +63-2-426-6001 loc. 5248/5249 (Karl Ian Cheng Chua or Marian Salvador), or jspadmu@gmail.com .

JSA-ASEAN Steering Committee:

Ateneo de Manila University, Japanese Studies Program
Chulalongkorn University
Doshisha University
National University of Singapore, Department of Japanese Studies
Thammasat University, Institute of East Asian Studies
University of Indonesia
University of Malaya
University of the Philippines, Third World Studies Center
Vietnam National University, Hanoi
Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences

PUBLICATION PLANS:
We are planning to have a special issue of an academic journal based on the conference.