This webinar is intended for librarians, researchers, and other people outside of Japan who are engaged in Japanese studies. The goal of this webinar is to learn and improve basic skills for finding and using information related to research in Japanese studies.
The advancement of digital technology has encouraged Japanese studies outside of Japan and made it easier to obtain a wide range of information on premodern Japan, not just classical literature. Consequently, innovative and authentic research is in progress in the field of Japanese classical literature.
There is no denying that Japanese premodern books, wahon (和本), are the primary subjects or resources for conducting research in the field.
In this lecture focusing on wahon, Dr. Sasaki TAKAHIRO demonstrates the basic knowledge required when using a vast number of digital images for research, as well as methods and precautions for utilizing these images, providing specific examples.
Video available to watch on demand on YouTube. You must apply before watching the video.
Date: Video available between Monday 2 February to Monday 2 March 2026.
Eligibility:
- Librarians or researchers outside of Japan who are engaged in Japanese Studies.
* This includes students and others who have a professional interest in Japanese studies. - Librarians in Japan
Language: Japanese (no translation or interpretation)
Click here to apply to watch the video.
Date: Monday 3 November, 5pm GMT.
Venue: Duke Street Lecture Theatre, Norwich University of the Arts
The Japan Foundation London is proud to support our friends at the University of East Anglia on their upcoming lecture, Okinawan Crafts: History and the Present with Professor Junko KOBAYASHI (Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts).
This lecture by Professor Kobayashi will explore the history and contemporary relevance of Okinawan craft, addressing themes such as identity, regional heritage, and sustainability. The work of eight Okinawan artists will be reflected on, exploring their historical context, the evolution of Ryukyuan aesthetics, the preservation of identity through craft, and the adaptation of traditional practices in the modern era.
The lecture is part of the accompanying programme for the exhibition ‘Okinawan Kogei: Crafting Continuity and Change’ that runs from Wednesday 29 October – Saturday 1 November, at the Crypt Gallery, Norwich.
This lecture will be taking place in person, but will be available via livestream.
To find out more about the lecture and exhibition, click here.
This year’s Japan Matsuri will take place Sunday 21 September, from 10:00 – 20:00 in Trafalgar Square. The annual festival is the UK’s biggest celebration of Japanese culture and food! Don’t miss out!
©Hiroyasu Daido
We are proud to support this gripping contemporary dance: Naraku 奈落 (Abyss), performed by Japanese Dance Company Lasta. The performance depicts a dark, dream-like world where a man struggles with his deepest desires. Adapted for film in 2022, the performance won awards and was screened in Paris, Venice, London, and Athens.
This year’s JETAA Japan-Scotland festival will take place over 3 days in New Abbey. Aiming to foster deep cultural connections between Japan and Scotland through arts, crafts, education, and sustainability. Everybody is welcome!
If you are a pre-university student in the UK, and you are interested in making friends from Japan and learning Japanese culture, while also attending lectures at top UK universities delivered by academics and professionals and learning crucial team work and presentation skills through participating in the UCL Grand Challenge Workshop, then why not register for the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2025?!
This is a prestigious, annual summer school programme that was established in 2015. The programme brings together students visiting from high schools across Japan with pre-university students from the UK.
The programme takes place across various locations, including the Rikkyo School in England, the University of Cambridge, and UCL.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the programme! The theme is “Space for the Future”, focusing on how we can shape our future with the most advanced science and technology.
This year’s programme will run from Saturday 26th July – Sunday 3rd August 2025. Please note that some dates are optional, and full details can be found on the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge website.
The programme is now taking applications from UK students, so if you know anyone you think might be interested, please share the information with them!
For more information, visit the UCL-Youth Challenge official website: UCL-Japan Youth Challenge – Summer school programme
The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2025 is looking for volunteers!
If you are interested in Japanese culture or learning Japanese, and are over 18, why not come along to this week-long campus summer school programme to help pre-university students shape their future studies and careers?
The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge is an annual summer school programme for pre-university students from UK sixth form colleges and Japanese high schools for cultural interaction through various educational activites held at UCL and the University of Cambridge.
Dates and Venues*: Saturday 26 July (Rikkyo School in England), Sunday 27, Monday 28 July (University of Cambridge), and Tuesday 29 – Saturday 2 August (University College London).
*Volunteers may choose to join from one day to the whole programme.
What will be provided: Reasonable travel costs and lunch.
Eligibility: Volunteers must be 18 years of age and able to travel to the volunteer locations.
If you can volunteer, please email ujyc@japanatuk.com to register your interest.
To find out more about the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge, visit: ucl-japan-youth-challenge.com.
We are proud to support this hybrid event organised by SOAS, University of London and the University of Oxford. The event will screen interview recordings of the Japanese diaspora in the UK, before a panel discussion, and a private viewing (for in-person attendees). The full event description can be found below.
This event is free to attend, but registration is essential. It is an English-Japanese bilingual event.
In-person & live streaming available.
Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/x8y6mXbdX8
Theme:
All are welcome to the event! Who are we, living in different countries? What legacy did our predecessors and pioneers leave? How should we continue and renew it? Let us discover answers and directions through the panel discussion and public viewing of the Wasurena-gusa Project interview recordings of the Japanese diaspora in the UK.
Schedule:
14.40-15.00 Public viewing of interview recordings
15.00-17.00 Panel discussion
17.00-17.55 Public viewing and reception
Speakers (in alphabetical order):
Prof. Emeritus John C. Maher of International Christian University
Associate Prof. Laura Mark of University of Sussex
Prof. Emeritus Kazuko Miyake of Toyo University
Prof. Yoshiko Nakano of Tokyo University of Science
Mrs. Momoko Williams of Japan Association in the UK
Padlet (for more information)
For any enquiries, please email: kaori.nishizawa@ames.ox.ac.uk
All welcome.
We’re proud to support the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery as they present the largest ever European retrospective of the works of NARA Yoshitomo.
Known primarily for his powerful portraits, but also working across a variety of media, NARA’s work explores themes including resistance, isolation, freedom, and spirituality. This new London exhibition promises to reveal a variety of enduring influences on this work, ranging from nature and mythology to punk music and popular culture.
We are proud to support this significant event that commemorates the 80th anniversary of VJ day at The University of Westminster.
This symposium brings together social scientists, activists and practitioners of Second World-War-related studies involving the UK and Japan, to reflect on the legacies of the Second World War and explore ideas of memory, reconciliation, peace and international cooperation.
This event is open to the public, and free to attend in-person and online.
Date: Tuesday 6 May, 9:30am – 6pm
Venue: Portland Hall, 4-12 Little Titchfield Street, University of Westminster. Livestreaming available.