The Japan Foundation (JF) organized a special panel and provided travel support for ten Japanese studies researchers from Southeast Asia at the European Association for Japanese Studies (EAJS) 2026 International Conference, held in Poznań, Poland, from August 27 to 30, 2026. These initiatives aimed to strengthen networks in Japanese studies between ASEAN and Europe and to support the development of researchers within the ASEAN region.

JF Special Panel

Titled “Japanese Studies and Southeast Asian Futures: Knowledge, Collaboration, and Regional Reconfiguration,” the panel was organized to share the current state and future potential of Japanese studies in ASEAN and to explore new directions for the field through international collaboration, including with researchers in Europe.

Approximately 70 participants attended the session. Following an update on the current status of EAJS, scholars from ASEAN countries shared developments and challenges in Japanese studies in their respective contexts and engaged in an exchange of ideas with the attendants.

The discussion highlighted the importance of incorporating diverse regional perspectives into Japanese studies and addressed shared challenges such as securing research funding and fostering the next generation of scholars. Participants also emphasized that Japanese studies should not be limited to understanding Japan alone but should serve as a means of generating new knowledge and perspectives.

During the Q&A session, participants exchanged views on the impact of AI and digital technologies on Japanese studies and Japanese language education, the potential of interdisciplinary area studies that bridge Japanese, Chinese, and Korean studies, and the development of global research networks including scholars from Africa and Latin America. The discussion also underscored the need to overcome barriers related to access to research data and research evaluation systems in order to facilitate international academic collaboration.

Travel Support for Japanese Studies Researchers from ASEAN

This travel support program was implemented to encourage researchers holding ASEAN nationality or affiliated with Japanese studies institutions in ASEAN countries to participate in EAJS 2026, present their research, expand professional networks, and further their academic development.

Prior to the conference, participants met online to share concerns and expectations regarding conference participation, identify researchers they hoped to meet, discuss areas of academic interest, and exchange advice with one another.

During the conference, participants also took part in an in-person networking session, where they shared insights gained from the conference and engaged in group discussions under the theme “How We Can Collaborate to Advance Japanese Studies in ASEAN.” Participants proposed several initiatives, including: (1) strengthening outreach through social media and other digital platforms, (2) expanding opportunities for academic exchange, (3) developing online platforms for researchers, and (4) encouraging greater publication in international academic journals.

DODEN Aiko, Executive Vice President of JF, who attended the session, expressed her hopes for the participants, stating “I look forward to seeing many of the participants in this program become internationally active as scholars in five, ten years' time.

Outcomes and Future Prospects

The special panel and travel support program provided valuable opportunities for ASEAN researchers to engage more actively in the international Japanese studies community and to share their research and perspectives with a wider audience.

The initiatives also promoted cross-regional exchange and network-building among researchers while reaffirming the importance of sustained support for the continued development of Japanese studies. Through its ongoing efforts to nurture the next generation of scholars and promote international academic exchange, JF remains committed to supporting the further advancement of Japanese studies worldwide.