Center for Asian Studies

(1) The Crisis of Democracy and Regional Order Transformation in Asia

Principal Researcher： Mie OBA

Research Overview:This research project will adopt a comprehensive approach, focusing on both the increasing and severe challenges related to democracy in Asia, which are destabilizing the political and social conditions of various countries, and the major transformation of the regional order in Asia, which is occurring in conjunction with major upheavals in the international order. This project aims to examine the linkage between how the crisis situation of democracy in the region determines the nature of the regional order, and how changes in the regional order affect democracy, politics, and society in the region, from multiple perspectives.
A trend toward democratic recession had already been noted since the mid-2000s, but concerns about a global democratic decline spread have grown since the 2010s, following the spread of populism in advanced democracies. In Asia, phenomena that hint at a democratic decline have emerged in various forms.
This study is a collaborative effort that will investigate the current situation and issues surrounding democracy in the countries and regions in which the participating members specialize. We will collectively consider the possibility of the existence of the various factors mentioned above. In addition, we will aim to compare the situations in various countries and regions while clarifying, as much as possible, the historical background and factors behind the problems surrounding democracy in each country and region. As a whole, the research group aims to find a tentative conclusion to how Asia’s current state is positioned in the development of global democracy, which has formed the foundation of the postwar international order and how the situation of democracy in Asia is related to the transformation of the regional order in Asia.

Research Activities:We will hold a monthly study group meeting, featuring proposals from research members and lectures by outside speakers. We will have a summary meeting at the end of each fiscal year to prepare for the next fiscal year. We will invite outside speakers to hold open study groups to contribute to the deepening and expansion of the intellectual activities of the research members and the Center for Asian Studies.

Each research member will collect and analyze books and other primary documents related to the project and conduct interviews and field research overseas during summer and winter breaks.

(2) Rethinking Community in Asia

Principal Researcher： Ryo TAKAGI

Research Overview: This joint research project aims to conduct a comparative study on various regions and case studies, focusing in the concept of “community” in the historical dynamics experienced by the Asia region. By focusing on the community as a collection of diverse entities, each containing contradictions and conflicts, with loose relationships of mutual influence that constantly change according to location and historical context, this project seeks to rethink the traditional concept of community, which assumes homogeneity and boundaries, through specific examples from various regions. This research focuses on (1) immigrant and migrant communities that emerge in the context of new relationships of mutual influence with places of destination and origin triggered by human mobility, and (2) communities formed through the participation of individuals with diverse backgrounds in movements or NGOs.

Research Activities: This joint research project involves co-researchers from diverse backgrounds, including history, sociology, cultural anthropology, international relations, and area studies, covering a wide range of regions, including Okinawa and other parts of Japan, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. This joint research promotes research and investigation related to these regions, holding regular joint research meetings that include outside researchers to exchange ideas and discuss the reconsideration of communities and historical dynamics in Asia.

(3) Life Spheres in Asian Cities

Principal Researcher： Kyoko YAMAGA

Research Overview: The COVID-19 pandemic has not only transformed our lifestyles and cities, but also shifted our focus towards local living areas. Previously, convenience of living was the primary concern for activities such as shopping and commuting, but now there is a growing demand for environments that enrich daily life, such as nature-rich walking paths, parks, and third places.

Meanwhile in many Asian cities, people are using bicycles and motorcycles rather than public transport and cars. This mobility difference seems to result in a landscape unique to Asia, and there is a need for an approach to living areas that is appropriate for Asian cities.

Based on the results of the Center for Asian Studies joint research projects "Survey of Problematic Areas and Exploration of Environmental and Social Regeneration Methods in Four East Asian International Cities" (2013-2017) and "Asian Social Heritage and Local Regeneration Method" (2018-2022), the purpose of this joint research is to clarify the current state of living spheres in Asian cities.

Research Activities: Field surveys, research meetings, symposium

(4) Tourism Destination Marketing in Asia

Principal Researcher： Masato TAKANOKURA

Research Overview: The objective of this research project is to build a framework of tourism destination marketing in Asia for the post-pandemic era. Tourism is not only about sightseeing at the destination. Marketing approaches are necessary to enhance expectations of tourists in a destination, create valuable experiences including transportation, and share these with others for realizing attractive tourism. Asia has many appealing destination resources. This research project will build a framework and propose solutions for tourism destination marketing using distinctive historical and cultural resources in Asia through collaboration with international and cross-disciplinary research groups.

Research Activities: Fieldwork and investigation on destination resources and activities in Asia Symposium and research meeting for tourism destination marketing

(5) Comparative Study on Disaster Resilience of Asian Regions to Earthquake and Climate Disasters

Principal Researcher： Yoshiharu SHUMUTA

Research Overview: This study aims to build a network with researchers conducting disaster research and researchers from disaster management organizations in order to mitigate disasters in the Asian region, and to organize and propose current issues and their solutions for strengthening regional resilience. Focusing on Indonesia and other Asian countries, there are economic disparities and frequent disasters, including floods, we will compare and analyze the differences in regional characteristics and organize the basic ideas of the target countries on how to strengthen disaster resilience in accordance to these characteristics. In collaboration with experts from across Asia, we will discuss the feasibility of utilizing early warning systems based on the latest sensing technology and disaster information network technology, which have rapidly advanced with in digitalization, and the challenges of establishing such systems, and compile the results through case analyses and other means.

Research Activities: Focusing on the Asia region, research will be promoted based on the following plans: (1) Establish a human network with disaster management agencies and experts in Indonesia and other Asian countries under a joint research agreement with the Asian Disaster Reduction Center, (2) conduct a literature review on disaster characteristics, observation systems, warning issuance, and emergency response in the target region, (3) conduct a literature review of the disaster risk management and early warning systems in the target region, (4) field survey of areas in Asia that have suffered major natural disasters and exchange of views with disaster management agencies, and (5) preparatory activities for a workshop related to disaster research to be held in FY2025.

(6) Research on Cultural Transmission and Exchange through Decorative Patterns

Principal Researcher： Hirokazu NAKABAYASHI

Research Overview: This research project will examine cultural transmission and interaction between different cultures through the analysis of decorative patterns.
Decorative patterns are not merely patterns, but rather reflect the intent of the creator behind them. These decorative patterns have been created through interaction with the outside world. In such exchanges, design makers were stimulated to create new patterns, and the demands created through such exchanges sometimes had a strong influence on the patterns. Thus, the study of decorative designs provides a deeper understanding of people and cultures.
This study will not only explore the background of decorative patterns in specific regions, but also at their propagation and reception in the regions where they were created. In particular, we will clarify the background of the decorative patterns within the regions and periods in which the members of the research team specialize.

Research Activities: This research group consists of researchers from diverse fields. We will actively hold research meetings to elaborate our policy and share information among this interdisciplinary group. A common theme will be promoting research on materials owned by Nishimura Shoji Shoten. Nishimura Shoji Shoten has a large collection of materials dating from the Edo to Meiji periods, particularly has accumulated a vast amount of data on Kire-cho (fabric sample books), which will be the main focus of our research.

(7) Mutual Immersion Process of Service Industry in Asian Countries

Principal Researcher： Seiki YUKIMOTO

Research Overview: Japanese multinationals have contributed to the process of forming international trade in Asian countries for decades. However, other countries in Asia, such as South Korea and China, have begun to take an active role in shaping international trade by providing very competitive advantages in service industries, including K-pop and gaming. Unlike traditional manufacturing industries, these service industries are naturally global and foster mutual immersed among Asian countries. This joint research project aims to investigate the mutual immersion process in the viewpoint of international business and international marketing. The Japanese government has implemented the Cool Japan Strategy to globally promote intellectual properties originating from Japan in addition to the automobile industry or other manufacturing sectors. Rather than positioning Japan as the most advanced country in the service industry, this study explores how Japan’s strengths can be incorporated into the Cool Japan Strategy in addition to advancements of other Asian countries. By collaboratively approaching Japan’s competitive advantages, this research seeks to provide insights by involving experts and business professionals from both within and outside the university.

Research Activities:
Domestic and international field research under each interest of research members
Internal research workshop to learn about advanced information from practitioners
Organizing a symposium open to the public