C-DATS | Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Objectives

In order to propose area and culture studies that match the reality of the new century, the 21st Century Area and Culture Studies Group will draw on the activities of the Documentation Collection and Research Group, in collaboration with the activities of the various Groups, to carry out theoretical studies pertaining to area culture studies.

To carry out the above, the following two subcommittees will be established:

"Subcommittee I" will study the global elements that influence and trigger change in local communities, re-establish the narratives of history in the post-colonial globalization, and seek new area concepts and area research methodologies.

"Subcommittee II" will focus on such issues as "the collaborative world security order" of the 21st century, transitions of political and economy systems, the post-Cold War world order, convulsion of areas, and the transition to "21st century governing systems."

Plan

1) Regular Meetings of the COE Special Research Group

The COE Special Research Group consists of external lecturers (from the Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Institute of Developing Economies - JETRO) who are in charge of the course on area culture studies at the University's Graduate School. It focuses on exchanges on area studies, area information, methodologies of collaboration and cooperation, updates on support and sponsorships, etc.

Schedule: May 13th, June 30th, September 29th, October 28th, November 22nd

May 13th
"The Supplier System of the Motorcycle Industry in China―Evolution of the Organization in a Competitive Environment and Accumulated Competence"
Lecturer: Yoshiki OHARA (Institute of Developing Economies, JETRO)

June 30th
"Exploitation of the Hayek Theory-The Phase of Post-New-Deal Period 'Liberalism' "
Lecturer: Chikako Nakayama (Associate Professor, International politics and economy, TUFS Graduate School)

September 29th
"The State and Issues of Decentralization of Authority in Indonesia"
Lecturer: Hiroyo SASAKI (JICA)

October 28th
"Economic Development and Educational Reform"
Lecturer: Yoichi SUZUKI (JICA)

November 22nd
"Post-War International Agricultural Negotiations-Recollections and Prospects"
Lecturer: Yasuo ENDO (Director, Liaison Office in Japan, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

December 22nd
"The Failure of Banks in Japan-Lessons Learnt from the 1990s and After"
Lecturer: Shuichi KUMAKURA (Bank of Japan)

2) Panel Discussions and Photography Exhibition

<The Post-9.11 World and Photojournalism-Breaking through the Media Wall>

A panel discussion and photo exhibition will be held to explore the role of photojournalism in today's world of global conflicts. Renowned photojournalists Ryuichi Hirokawa and Junpei Yasuda will be panelists. Starting with the sensational images of the World Trade Center Buildings in New York, the mass media have continuously portrayed to the world filled with terrorism, and wars through information and images on a daily basis. However, has all that revealed to the world the true nature of the conflicts and the world after 9.11? The panel discussion and photo exhibition will explore what becomes obvious and what, at the same time, becomes hidden as a result of the information distributed by the mass media.

Photo Exhibition: June 3rd and 4th
Panel Discussion: June 4th, starting at 4:30pm

3) Photo Exhibition and Symposium

<The Post-Colonial World and the Era of Domestic Wars through Images>

Drawing on the panel discussion and photo exhibition held in June, another photo exhibition and a symposium on war and the visual media will be held. Photographers who are active both in Japan and overseas and researchers focusing on war and media will be invited to discuss the role of the media and photography in the modern world -and in particular, a world that is perpetually at war with itself- from both the practitioners' and academic perspectives.

Planned for the end of October.

4. Video Presentation and Symposium

<Okinawa Special-Memories and Images>

The 21st Century Area and Culture Studies Group has been focusing on Okinawa, an area that has always held a unique position, from both historical and geopolitical perspectives. Since 2001, the Group has held annual events titled "Okinawa-Memories and Images" focusing on the "history and memories" or "memories and images" around Okinawa. Last year, this project was elevated as part of the COE programme, and in collaboration with external cultural institutions and projects-such as the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, the Athenee Francais Cultural Centre, and Art Produce Okinawa (APO)-the 21st Century Area and Culture Studies Group has commenced sharing its activities and results with the general public. This will continue through this year and be further developed into an effort to explore the relationship between Japan and the world, as well as "the modern world" as seen through documentary footage of Okinawa.

Planned for January.