Center for Asian Studies

(1) International Business Environment in Asia

Principal Researcher: Norihito TANAKA

Research Topics:

1. International Business Environment in Asia
2. The Economic and Trade Relations between Japan and China
3. Japanese Companies Trade and FDI in China
4. Trade Relations between Japan and Korea
5. Japanese MNEs in Asia
6. The New Economic Order, FTA, TPP, RCEP
7. The Trade Rule Formations in Asia

Research Activities: The Project team members will conclude the various topics under the joint research project by the end of March 2025. The team will prepare a series of policy platforms to improve the economic and business environment in Asia, and present ideas of business strategies to the MNEs active in Asia. The research project meeting is open to those interested in the main topics. Everyone is welcome to join the discussions and their comments and opinions are highly appreciated.

(2) Research into the Nature of Culture through the Asian Design

Principal Researcher： Hirokazu NAKABAYASHI

Research Overview: This research group will investigate the nature of culture, with a particular focus on the Asian design.

Research Activities: This study is a continuation of a research project titled "Cultural Formation, Acceptance, and Modification in Asia," previously conducted at the Center for Asian Studies. In this research, we have focused on cultural transformation, specifically studying the fluid nature of culture. We will explore "design" as the common theme, focusing on the intentions of the designers and the phenomena of formation, acceptance, and modification of culture that these intentions reveal.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

(5) 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

(6) 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