23 December at Osaka U.: Asia-Pacific Studies Seminar (Professors Markovic and Gaens)

Yone Sugita Announcement
Location
Japan
Subject Fields
Asian History / Studies, Contemporary History, Diplomacy and International Relations, East Asian History / Studies, Japanese History / Studies

Dear Colleagues:

We will hold the Asia-Pacific Studies Seminar at Osaka University (Toyonaka Campus) in the morning of 23 December 2017. Seminar papers available prior to the seminar for confirmed participants only. It is open to the public. Please contact Yone Sugita (sugita@lang.osaka-u.ac.jp) if you plan to attend the conference.

 

Best,

Yone

 

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Asia-Pacific Studies Seminar at Osaka University

Date: 23 December 2016 (Saturday)

Venue: Seminar Room D, Student Commons, Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences (CELAS), Toyonaka Campus, Osaka University (2nd floor)

http://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/access/toyonaka/toyonaka.html (Toyonaka Campus Map, #30)

http://www.celas.osaka-u.ac.jp/facilities/ (CELAS)

http://www.celas.osaka-u.ac.jp/facilities/commons/ (student commons)

http://www.celas.osaka-u.ac.jp/facilities/floormap/general/ (Seminar Room D, 2nd floor)

 

Session 1:10:00 – 11:00

Ljiljana Marković (Dean and Professor, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Philology)

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ljiljana_Markovic2

 

Title: Japan – A New Modernization Paradigm

Abstract: In 1868 Japan embarked on its unique journey to become a modern country, deemed successful and advanced by Western standards. But what characterized Japanese civilization at the outset of this quest and how did the makers of modern Japan conceptualize their goals? To answer this question I will look at the long tradition of the Mito School, with special attention for the works of the Later Mito School, and to the thinkers and practitioners of the Bakumatsu and Meiji periods. This shall enable us to determine the aim, the nature and the success of Japan's quest for its own path to modernization. The dissemination of the paradigm of modernization sketched out by Japan’s experience, thereafter opened up new horizons of development to the subsequent late-comers on the scene of economic, societal and cultural development, such as Turkey, Korea and China.

     The presentation shall first attempt to define the meaning of modernization and the quest for modernization. A theoretical framework congenial to this task shall be set up. This will enable us to answer why Japan was the first country outside of the European civilizational milieu to be successful on the path to modernity.

     Based on Japan's experience and success, a new modernization paradigm shall be portrayed and analyzed in three diachronical phases: Bakumatsu Period, Meiji Period and Post Meiji Period. The modernization experience is viewed as thoroughly affecting economics, politics, the society and culture.

KEY WORDS : Japan, modernization, Later Mito School, Bakumatsu Period, Meiji Period, Modernization Paradigm

Chair: Sayuri Shimizu (Professor and Dunlevie Family Chair, Rice University)

https://history.rice.edu/faculty/sayuri-guthrie-shimizu

Discussants:

Gavin Campbell (professor, Doshisha University)

http://global-studies.doshisha.ac.jp/en/teacher/teacher/gavin.html

Tom French (associate professor, Ritsumeikan University)

http://research-db.ritsumei.ac.jp/Profiles/96/0009508/prof_e.html

 

Session 2: 11:15 – 12:15

Bart Gaens (Senior Research Fellow, Finnish Institute of International Affairs)

https://www.fiia.fi/en/expert/bart-gaens

Title: Japanese and South Korean approaches to the North Korea problem

Abstract: The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains an acute flash point in East Asia, making the region highly volatile. The fact that the major powers, namely the US, China and Russia, have differing views on how to deal with North Korea (officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK) and its ongoing nuclear program and missile testing, further complicates the issue. This presentation focuses on the role of two other key players in the region, namely Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea), both military alliance partners of the United States. The presentation argues that because of both countries’ geographical position as well as the close military alliance with the US, but also in order to acquire a better understanding of the compounded nature of the North Korean issue in East Asia and the multiple interests and perspectives it entails, it is important to assess the stance taken by Japan and South Korea. The analysis first compares the policies of both countries vis-à-vis the threat from the regime under Kim Jong-un, and subsequently examines the impediments to and possibilities for Japan-South Korea cooperation. The presentation thereafter aims to explain both countries’ policy choices and their cognitive determinants.

Chair: Gavin Campbell

Discussants:

Sayuri Shimizu

Tom French

 

Cultural Exchange over Lunch Obento: 12:20-13:00

Contact Information

Yone Sugita

Contact Email
sugita@lang.osaka-u.ac.jp