About the Center for Japan Studies

Introduction

The Center for Japan 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. Specific attention is given 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?”. Gasunie hosted the symposium in its headquarters in Groningen. On February 9, 2009 a new symposium was held, focusing on whether the 21st century will become "The Asian Era?". On 23 and 24 June 2015 an international symposium took place on "Racism and intolerance in Europe and Asia – Challenges and Policies", it was co-organised by staff of the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and Osaka University (Japan) under the cooperation agreement between the NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) and JSPS (Japan Society for the established by the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP), Osaka University (OU), and University of Groningen (UG).

Goals and purposes of the Center for Japan Studies

The Center's primary mission is to advance the acquisition and transfer of knowledge about contemporary Japan and its position in the regional (East Asia) and the global context. Furthermore, the various ties and connections between Japan and the Netherlands and the European Union are of special importance.

Research and Education

The Center for Japan Studies is involved in teaching the international master International Relations-East Asian Studies , Faculty of Arts University of Groningen, that started in September 2014. It is a one-year programme (60 ECTS), that focuses on contemporary developments in East Asia, in particular Japan, China and Korea. The curriculum offers the opportunity give special attention to one of these three countries, in elective courses or a work placement, and in the thesis.

The Graduate School of Humanities, Osaka University, is a full partner in the Erasmus Mundus Master of Excellence Euroculture: Society, Politics and Culture in a Global Context . Each year  5-6 (European) Euroculture students go to Osaka in their third semester, for their 'research track'. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of  "Euroculture" in Osaka, a research symposium took place on 9 November 2018.

In 2013 a double degree programme started: the EU-JAPAN Multidisciplinary Master (EU-JAMM) project. 43 Exchange students (23 Japanese, 20 European) had the opportunity to study at a partner institution and obtain a Master degree from both Universities. The Research Master Modern History and International Relations (Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen) participated in this project with its partner the Osaka School for International Public Policy, (OSIPP), Osaka University. After the pilot programme, the Research Master and OSIPP decided to continue with this double degree programme.

In 2023 an agreement for a Double Degree Programme for PhD was established by the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP) at Osaka University (OU), and University of Groningen (UG). In Groningen this relates to the PhD programme of the Graduate School for the Humanities.

The Center for Japan Studies offers its facilities not only to students of the University of Groningen, but also to the public and business community in the city and province. It regularly is involved in courses in the HOVO (Higher Education for Senior People)

Since 2009 a Japan-Netherlands student conference (JNSC) is organized by students of both universities, with assistance of the Center for Japan studies. It  takes place alternately in Osaka or Groningen.

The Center is also involved in the 'appetizer course'  for Osaka students In Groningen. It is an Intensive short-study programme that combines  English language training with workshops and lectures  about the environment, water management and Dutch culture and society. It is coordinated in Groningen by James Doherty. (Language Centre).

Japan and the EU

The Center for Japan Studies gives special attention to the relation between Japan and the EU. Within this context a strong link exists with the Erasmus Mundus Master of Excellence Euroculture: Society, Politics and Culture in a Global context, which is coordinated by Groningen (See above). Osaka University is one of the 4 non-European consortium partner universities.

On 15 October 2014 the Director of the Center for Japan Studies, Dr Janny de Jong, became Professor by special appointment of Europe-East Asia Relations with a focus on Japan via the Groningen University Fund. The chair aims to contribute to teaching and research in the field of the relationships between Europe and East Asia, with a particular focus on Japan.

Since 2012 an intensive  course module called 'Gateway to Europe: Contemporary Dutch Studies' is offered at Osaka University. This course module  was launched in the Fall term of academic year 2012 by the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP), Osaka University, and the Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen, with support of the Tekijuku Commemoration Center. The course is taught by Groningen staff. The topic of the course differs each year.

Relation between the University of Groningen and Japanese Higher Education Institutes

The University of Groningen has international partner agreements with a number of Japanese Higher Education Institutes : Chukyo University, Osaka University, Tohoku University and University of Tokyo.

Since 2002 Osaka University is a Strategic Partner of the University of Groningen. In 2022 its 20^th anniversary was celebrated in Osaka with the signing of the new strategic partnership agreement by the universities of Groningen and Osaka. Both Universities expressed their intention to strengthen their collaboration .

The Osaka Overseas Office that Osaka University has established in Groningen (2005) merits special mention. It is a liaison office from which Osaka maintains contacts with other European  partners, but this office assists for instance with establishing contacts between staff and (exchange) students in Osaka and vice versa.

In 2011 a Dutch Studies center was established in Osaka, hosted by Tekijuku Commemoration Center. The office is used for visiting scholars and lecturers from the Netherlands. Tekijuku was the name of  a learning center, or school, founded by OGATA Koan ( 1810-1863). Koan was a rangakusha, who though learning Dutch had gained access to Western medical knowledge. The school can be seen as a predecessor of Osaka University.