Japan Studies Platform Laboratory, Keio Research Institute at SFC (KRIS) Fiscal 2011 “Strategic Research Base Development Program for Private Universities” implemented by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Theory and Practice in New "Japan Studies"｜JSP Japan Studies Platform Laboratory, Keio Research Institute at SFC
SFC: An Ideal Context for “Japan Studies”
Japan is in a unique position in the modern history. The rapid rise after the Meiji Restoration in 1868 proved that non-European country could achieve development and can compete with advanced countries. After the defeat in the World War II, Japan surged again as a member of the “Western” country during the Cold War. Asian tigers and other developing countries followed Japanese economic “miracle.” Although Japan faced serious economic, political and social problems after the burst of bubble economy in 1990, the country is still leading the world in several areas. We have many important experiences to study and share with people in other advanced and rising countries.
SFC started a new ambitious project to become a central international platform for Japan studies and Japanese language education by forming alliances with universities and high schools around the world. Under our global research networks, we can support researches about problems we see in common among Japan and other countries, design policies to solve them, and hence offer proposals originating from SFC and Keio University.
The following three topics have been identified as research clusters as they are urgent issues for Japanese society and are also shared by the international community. Our global networks to examine these issues will be expanded to support discussions with Japan Studies specialists around the world.
- Cluster 1: Problems Arising from the Aging of Society with the Low Birthrate
- Cluster 2: Problems Accompanying the Rise of the Information Society
- Cluster 3: Problems Surrounding International Relations in East Asia
X - Building Global Networks
Through the Japan Studies Platform, global networks will be formed and expanded for joint studies with research and cultural exchange institutes in countries and regions around the globe. The networks will also serve as a vehicle for announcing Japan’s original proposals for the resolution of various social problems and will promote SFC students’ participation in the international community and the acceptance of international students and overseas researchers at SFC.
SFC has designated this project as a key driver of its internationalization strategy. SFC will be an ideal place for the training of future “Japan Studies” specialists and exchange among young academics as the research outcomes from SFC “Japan Studies” are incorporated in educational programs in the near future. We anticipate that this project will be a main driver behind SFC’s evolution into a hub for international research and educational exchange.
about Japan, with Japan, in Japan
Since its founding, the Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) has consistently promoted practical research and education with the aim of resolving the social issues that the world either faces today or will face in the near future. Our new “Japan Studies” opens this forum to the entire international community.
The KRIS Japan Studies Platform Laboratory, the driver of this project, has outlined a three-pronged approach for SFC’s new “Japan Studies”: “About Japan” (research on Japan), “With Japan” (joint research with overseas research institutions interested in these social issues), and “In Japan” (research in Japan).
The social problems that Japan faces today are also shared by the international community. Policymaking initiatives toward the resolution of such issues are research topics of great interest to research partners and are appealing as research fields, too. Drawing on the international and interdisciplinary research networks of SFC faculty members who have great practical knowledge, the KRIS Japan Studies Platform Laboratory furthers practical research on vital social issues and transforms the findings into original SFC or Keio proposals.
The KRIS Japan Studies Platform Laboratory aims to be a hub for Japan Studies and East Asian Studies as SFC promotes these kinds of activities in partnership with universities and research institutes around the world.
Cluster 1: Problems Arising from the Aging of Society with the Low Birthrate
Issues surrounding aging societies with a low birthrate span the fields of healthcare, nursing, pensions, labor, education, housing, and community. Bridging existing policy fields and administrative domains, this cluster will undertake empirical and practical research on meso-governance and system design in relation to local and regional territories (clusters) and the public sphere.
Cluster 2: Problems Accompanying the Rise of the Information Society
Innovations through information and communications technology will bring us new issues to be addressed over the next decade. This cluster will research the impact that the advancement of information and communications technology will have on the economy, politics and society with an eye to ameliorate or resolve such social issues as the environment, energy resources, and the aging of society with the low birthrate.
Cluster 3: Problems Surrounding International Relations in East Asia
Changes in the balance of power are becoming evident in the East Asian region with the rise of emerging economies. Focusing on political science and economic studies of Japan, this cluster will analyze security issues within the East Asia region and research problems related to the liberalization of corporate activities and the development of the free trade system in light of the advancement of economic partnerships.
Building Global Networks
Taking advantage of researchers’ international networks and the language training made possible through SFC’s multilingualism initiative, target countries and regions will be designated and intergenerational research networks linking the three clusters will be created.
