JAPAN FOUNDATION WORLDWIDE

From March 6 to March 8, 2009, the International Conference on Changing Global Profile of Japanese Studies was held at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Panelists were prominent Japan specialists from India, the host country, and Japan, in addition to three Asian countries (Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam) and three European countries (Netherland, Greece, and France).

This three-day international conference was inaugurated in quite Indian style in which guests lit candles, sang a song for Saraswati, goddess of academic achievements, and gave speeches one after another. In the following sessions, panelists had vigorous and sometimes heated discussions on the current situations and issues of Japanese Studies in their countries. The conference was concluded on a high note.

The goddess Saraswati is familiar to Japanese people, known as “Benten-sama.” This is an instance of long history of cultural exchange between Japan and India. The interest in Japan taken by people in India today, however, is not as great as that in countries of other participants of this conference. As a result, Japanese studies in India are falling behind other countries in many things including its history and the number of specialists.

Therefore, this international conference was an epoch-making event for Japanese studies in India, and it must have inspired Indian scholars.

The Japan Foundation supported this international conference by covering the expenses, including air fares of participants. We will spare no effort in providing necessary cooperation for the progress of Japanese studies in India.

Japan is located across the vast Pacific from Mexico. There is a record, however, that Mexicans had already landed on Japan around the end of the sixteenth century. At the time, Mexico had a trade relation with Philippine, both colonies of Spain. That is why Mexican missionaries could make their way to Japan for their missionary work.

In 1609, at the beginning of the Edo era, a boat from Philippine heading to Mexico was hit by a storm and driven ashore on the coast of Onjuku, Chiba prefecture. Mexican crew members were rescued by local villagers, and the Tokugawa Shogunate built a ship to bring them Mexico. The year 2009 is the 400th anniversary of this incident. In addition, the year 2010 will be the 200th anniversary of the independence of Mexico and the centennial of the Mexican Revolution. Therefore, a year from 2009 to 2010 is acknowledged as “the 400th anniversary of Japan-Mexico relations” to look back the long history of exchange between two countries and to foster further progress of mutual understanding and exchange. A variety of cultural exchange and memorial events are scheduled to be held in both Japan and Mexico.

In February 24, 2009, the opening event of the anniversary was held at the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico. As a part of this event, a memorial lecture was co-organized by the Embassy of Japan in Mexico, the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico, and the Japan Foundation, Mexico. The lecturer was Professor Kishiro Ogaki at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies who had outstanding achievements in the fields of Mexican history and Latin American studies. Professor Ogaki introduced the history of Japan-Mexico relation that began at the incident of Onjuku.

The Japan Foundation will organize various events in 2009 through 2010 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Japan-Mexico relations.

In 2009, Japan and Hungary will celebrate the 140th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 50th Anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations. Japan has designed the year 2009 as the "Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009" to further strengthening the friendly relations with four countries along the Danube: Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, and Romania. Various commemorative events will be held throughout the year.

In Budapest, the performance of “Yo-soro” was held on January 28 and 29 at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music as the opening event of this anniversary. Two-day performance of the quartet consisting of two Japanese drums, tsugaru-shamisen, and bamboo-flute gathered almost-capacity crowd, thanks to the broadcasting by a news program on the state-run television station. The audience was fascinated by dynamic beats of drums and resonant sounds of shamisen and bamboo-flute. The next day, “Yo-soro” members gave a workshop at Balint Marton Primary & Secondary School, an integrated education school famous for its Japanese language education. 700 students of the whole school and teachers were excited about this rare opportunity.

The following and many other events have already been scheduled: an exhibition "WA: The Spirit of Harmony in Contemporary Japanese Design" will be held at the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest in April through May; an exhibition “The Spirit of Budô: The History of Japan’s Martial Arts” will be held in Keszthely, a sightseeing resort in southwest Hungary, and in Budapest in July through August. In November, although it is not an event hosted by the Japan Foundation, Elisabeth Bridge connecting Buda and Pest across the River Danube will be illuminated by Japanese lighting artist, Mikiko Ishii. This illumination will be restored by the City of Budapest after the Friendship Year ends. In the past, the paths of Japan and Hungary have not crossed so often; today, however, people in Hungary are increasingly interested in Japan through Japanese automobile-related manufacturers, or Japanese manga, anime, and Japanese-food restaurants that have become popular among the youth.

The Japan Foundation, Budapest is not a large facility, but we are hoping to appeal to Budapest citizens with attractive aspects of Japan.