British Association of Japanese Studies (BAJS) 2003 Conference: Deepening European and Japanese Understanding

J. Sean Curtin (Fellow, GLOCOM)

Despite the great distance separating Japan from Europe, over the last few decades European scholars have produced a phenomenal quantity of top quality research on this Asian nation. This has made an enormous contribution in helping to bridge the gulf between the two. The fact that the current Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, is such a frequent visitor to Europe emphasizes how strong the influence of the European Union has become in Japanese affairs. The current geo-political climate makes modern Japanese studies a particularly important component in the globalization process. From scenic Aberdeen to sunny Zagreb, European scholars are engaged in every conceivable aspect of Japanese studies research ranging from the esoteric teachings of Japanese Buddhism to the electronic transactions of Japanese banking. Consequently, there are now many excellent Japanese Studies related conferences and symposia held all over the diverse and colourful continent. One of Europe's premier gatherings of Japanese specialists is the annual conference of the British Association of Japanese Studies (BAJS). In 2003, the prestigious event was held between the 14 to 16 April in the tranquil location of Tapton Hall, part of the vast campus of the University of Sheffield.

The University of Sheffield is one of the leading centres for Japanese studies in the whole of Europe and the conference coincided with the 40th anniversary of the founding of the university's Centre for Japanese Studies. This made the gathering an especially important event, attracting several long retired Japanese specialists back to the conference circuit. Many young scholars got the opportunity to meet such distinguished figures as Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Bownas, CBE, who was the first Professor of Japanese Studies at Sheffield University. The three-day event was an wonderful merging of old and new scholars, with veteran writers like Ronald Dore and T. J. Pempel rubbing shoulders with youthful and dynamic researchers like Kensuke Takayasu (London School of Economic and Political Science) and Chris Hood (Cardiff University).

The overall theme of the conference was "The Lost Decade? Japan in the 1990s." More than forty research papers, in a wide range of disciplines, were presented (see full programme below). The plenary sessions had an excellent line up of internationally renowned scholars including, T. J. Pempel (University of California, Berkeley), Ronald Dore (Centre for Economic Performance) and Tokyo University's Mari Osawa, Nobuhiro Hiwatari & Takeo Kikkawa. Professor Pempel's paper led to a very lively discussion with some excellent contributions from the audience made by Prof. Arthur Stockwin (Oxford University), Prof. Steven Reed (Chuo University) and Prof. Reinhard Drifte (Newcastle University). As those who read Professor Dore's articles on the GLOCOM Plaform might perhaps guess, he challenged the entire idea of whether the 1990s really was a lost decade for Japan. The distinguished professors from Tokyo University all gave excellent papers, which also stimulated a lot of discussion from participants. The plenary sessions were all chair by the BAJS president, Professor Glenn Hook of Sheffield University. His affable style helped make the sessions enjoyable and free-flowing.

Many non-academic figures were also present such as Mr. Haruhisa Takeuchi, Minister and Consul-general of the Embassy of Japan in London. The embassy is keen to promote Japanese culture and sees the BAJS conference as an important annual event in developing British, European and Japanese ties. Various awards were presented at the conference, including two BAJS Emeritus Fellowships to Geoffrey Bownas, CBE, and Nicolas Maclean (International Institute of Strategic Studies), who was the driving force behind the creation of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET).

The non-plenary presentations also provided some superb papers from international researchers, making the conference an extremely worthwhile experience (see the programme below). As one would expect, this global event brought together a diverse spectrum of scholars not just from Europe, but from all over the world. One such person was Dr. Kitti Prasirtsuk (Thammasat University, Thailand) who said, "I am so glad I could make it to this event, it is such a great opportunity for me to meet so many famous Japanese studies professors." Another attendee was Professor Glenda Roberts (Waseda University, Japan), who especially flew in to attend the conference. She commented, "It is wonderful to have so many well-known Japan specialists gathered together in one place." Dr. Jinichiro Yamada (Kagawa University, Japan), simply summed up the conference as "fantastic."

BAJS Conference 2003 Programme, University of Sheffield, Monday 14th - Wednesday 16th April 2003

Monday 14th April 2003

Tuesday 15th April 2003

Wednesday 16th April 2003

Related Links

British Association of Japanese Studies (BAJS)
http://www.bajs.org.uk/

School of East Asian Studies, University of Sheffield
http://www.seas.ac.uk/

EastAsia@Sheffield, Newsletter, May 2003, No. 6
http://www.seas.ac.uk/EAS_Newsletter/index.shtml