Student Conference of European JapanologyThe first day of the conference will take place on Sat., 13.1.2024 at 10:00 and will be divided into a morning and an afternoon block with a coffee break spanning one hour from 12:00-13:00. The second day will begin on Sun., 14.1.2024 at 13:00. The event is located at Seminarraum 1 of the Department for Japanese Studies at Campus altes AKH
Each presentation consists of 30 minutes of presentation and 30 minutes of discussion.
Saturday Morning
10:00-11:00: Patricia Illichova
Presentation Title: Sexual minorities: Influence of sexual orientation on social networks in rural Japan
Presentation Language: English
Synopsis:
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an invisible minority in rural Japan? Realities of living in rural areas, the everyday struggles and social networks of sexual minorities in Japan, an introduction into these topics forms a core of this presentation. It will be presented as a part of research for a thesis, that will be presented, as it attempts to take a closer look at these aspects that make up lives of sexual minorities, through unscripted interviews
About the Author:
Patrícia Illichová is a Masters student of Japanese studies at University of Vienna. Her research has mainly been centred around minorities in one way or another. Her current research concerns the influence of sexuality on one’s social network and life in rural Japan. While she predominantly focuses on sexual minorities, she is no stranger to other topics like intercultural issues as her secondary focus lies in researching international relations.
11:00 to 12:00: Denitza Petrounova
Presentation Title: Rights of the Ainu as Indigenous People in Japan after the 2019 Ainu Policy Promotion Act
Presentation Language: English
Synopsis:
The presentation provides an up-to-date overview of the legal rights of the Ainu in Japan, ongoing initiatives, current court cases and expected future developments. Major aspects include: What are the legally protected rights of the Ainu under Japanese domestic legislation and how have they developed? What is the significance of the official designation of the Ainu as indigenous people? What are indigenous rights and how does Japan fare in the international comparison? Why are the Ainu and the Ryukyuan people treated differently by domestic law? And what may change in 2024?
About the Author:
Denitza Petrounova holds university degrees in Law (Mag.) and Japanese Studies (BA) and is currently pursuing a PhD in International Law as well as an MA in Japanese Studies at the University of Vienna. She is a DOC Fellow of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a member of the European Society of International Law.
Saturday Afternoon
13:00-14:00: Antonela Mihaljevic
Presentation Title: Municipal Exchange in Education and Science Through City Twinning – A Look at Cologne-Kyōto
Presentation Language: English
Synopsis:
The presentation will give an overview of the municipal exchange in education and science between the cities of Cologne and Kyōto. Both cities became sister cities in 1963 and have had numerous activities over the last 60 years. The results are based on research in the municipal archive of the city of Cologne and data collected through expert interviews and participant observation. The collected data was analyzed in terms of its impact on German-Japanese relations. The presentation centers on the achievements and obstacles encountered in the sectors of science and education.
About the Author:
Antonela Mihaljevic is studying Geography (MSc) at the University of Cologne and Japanology (MA) at the University of Bonn. As part of her studies, she spent two semesters each at Kagoshima University and Ritsumeikan University. Her main research focuses in the areas of Urban Geography, International Relations, Disaster Prevention and Tourism.
Sunday Afternoon
13:00-14:00: Christoph Völker
Presentation Title: The Traveller Okakura Kakuzō and his Journeys through Europe, China and India
Presentation Language: English
Synopsis:
Okakura Kakuzô (Okakura Tenshin, 1863-1913). While Okakura is mainly associated with his work for the promotion of Japanese art and culture as well as with his pan-Asian thought, his life was also characterised by his many journeys through the US, Europe, China and India. By focusing on his first three international trips, this presentation highlights Okakura’s role as a traveller and shows how his journeys across the globe have shaped his work and thought.
About the Author:
Christoph Völker has studied Japanese Studies and History at LMU Munich and Kyushu University. Currently he is working on his dissertation as a doctoral student in Munich. He specializes in Japanese history and his research focuses on the cultural and intellectual history of Japan with a global perspective.
14:00-15:00 Gergely Mátyás Tóth
Presentation Title: From Japanology to Japanese Studies: A Brief Overview of Status, Evolution, Challenges, and Embedded Japanophilia Within
Presentation Language: English
Synopsis:
This presentation traces the evolution of Japanese Studies from its roots in Japanology, offering a concise examination of its current status, challenges, and the inherent Japanophilia embedded within the discipline. By exploring the historical trajectory, we will gain insights into the dynamic shifts that have shaped the field. The presentation aims to highlight the contemporary challenges faced by scholars in Japanese Studies and the enduring fascination, or Japanophilia, that underpins their work. Through this overview, we will develop a nuanced understanding of the discipline’s multifaceted nature, recognizing its significance and internal issues in the broader academic landscape.
About the Author:
Gergely Toth (Independent Japanese Studies Scholar) holds an MA in Japanese Studies from Gaspar Karoli University of the Reformed Church in Budapest, Hungary. He spent 2 years at Waseda University in Tokyo. His interdisciplinary research revolves around the history of relations between Hungary in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and Meiji+Taisho-era Japan during the 1869-1913 period. He is constantly working on the re-evaluation, demystification, objectivation of the early Hungaro-Japanese relations, by applying a critical approach.
