Why Japanese Studies? Considering the Past, Present and Future

A roundtable in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Japanese Studies at the University of Sheffield

This roundtable aims to stimulate a discussion on Japanese Studies in the United Kingdom and the wider world in celebration of fifty years of Japanese Studies at the University of Sheffield. These five decades have witnessed a radical transformation in both Japan and in Japanese Studies.  In 1962, just before the launch of the Centre for Japanese Studies at The University of Sheffield, The Economist called on the magazine’s readership to ‘Consider Japan’ and its remarkable economic growth. Yet, at the time, few experts combined the linguistic and area studies skills to be able do so. In the intervening years Japan has become of far greater significance for the UK as well as for an increasingly globalised world as Japanese Studies has flourished, with the field nowadays rich enough to ‘consider Japan’ in all its multifaceted complexity. The future poses challenges for both Japan and for the discipline. By reflecting on the past, present and future of Japan and Japanese Studies, the speakers will offer their own answers to the question, ‘Why Japanese Studies?’

Please Note: This event will not be followed by a drinks reception that is open to the general public.

Contributors:

Professor Hugo Dobson, Dr Mark Pendleton, Graham Healey,Sir David Warren,Professor Glenn Hook (Chair).

This event is free but booking is essential. Places can be booked at: http://www.dajf.org.uk/events/booking-form.