About the Center for Japanese Studies

Introduction

The Center for Japanese Studies was established in April 2000 within the context of the festivities celebrating the historic ties that have existed for 400 years between Japan and the Netherlands. The Center is involved in teaching, research and consulting activities concerning 21^st century Japan and its Asian context. There are two focus points: contemporary Japanese technology and contemporary Japanese (corporate) culture. Within those focus points, specific attention is devoted to the relations between Japan and the European Union. In October 2005 the Center celebrated its 5^th anniversary with an international symposium: “The Energy Impact of Japan and China: Threat or Chance?”. The Symposium was hosted by Gasunie Groningen in its headquarters. On February 9, 2009 a new symposium will be held, focusing on whether the 21st century will become "The Asian Era?".

 

Goals and purposes of the Center for Japanese Studies:

 

The Center's primary mission is to advance the acquisition and transfer of knowledge about contemporary Japan with an eye on how these developments will affect the Dutch society.

 

Focus point:

Technology and Culture in 21st Century Japan.

                

Technology and (corporate) culture can be considered to be the most important corner stones of Japanese cultural identity at the beginning of the new millennium. Japanese technology is leading the world, while Japanese culture is relatively unknown outside Japan. Japanese technology alone does not give access to a fair understanding of Japanese culture, and vice versa. Japanese technology and culture cannot be separated from each other: within the Center of Japanese studies they will be regarded as mutually dependent and will be studied and taught as such.

 

Technology focus:

Japanese transportation and information technology, Japanese consumer electronics, Japanese environmental policy.

 

Culture focus:

Japanese corparate and cultural identity and its image in Western-Europe (especially  Germany and the Netherlands)

 

Central research and education facility:

Not only for the University of Groningen, but also for the public and business community in city and region.

 

Specific attention will be devoted to the relations between Japan and the European Union. In this context there will be a strong link with the one-year MA program 'Euroculture' of the University of Groningen. This international program is taught in English and is open to qualified students from abroad. Students from Japan, for example, who are interested in European culture can apply for admission to this program.