{"id":39,"date":"2025-04-21T23:39:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aisf.or.jp\/AFC\/2026\/?page_id=39"},"modified":"2025-10-30T22:06:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T13:06:17","slug":"call-for-papers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.aisf.or.jp\/AFC\/2026\/call-for-papers\/","title":{"rendered":"Call For Papers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Paper Format Guide<\/h3>\nEnglish Version<\/strong>\nPDF<\/a>\nWord<\/a>\n\nJapanese Version<\/strong>\nPDF<\/a>\nWord<\/a>\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014 \n\n

The 8th Asia Future Conference (AFC#8) invites proposals for papers and short papers in line with the following guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0Theme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The overall theme for the conference is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space and Distance ~ Crossing, Closing, Creating ~<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSocial distance\u201d became a familiar phrase to all during COVID, and despite the distance it invokes, a phrase that crossed cultural and geographical divides to create a rare universal experience. In this way, distance can serve to divide as well as unite us. Space and distance can be physical or intangible, and in many cases, both. It can be examined in the physical and categorical barriers that serve to draw distinctions between groups of people, the geographical distance that leads to different concentrations of power as well as maintains different hierarchies (urban\/rural, wealthy\/poor), the creation and dissolution of categorical differences in the sciences, and literal discussions of space\/distance in different fields. Through this theme, we encourage diverse perspectives and seek to explore how space and distance function in and across various fields \u2013 what relationships do they foster, how are they used to maintain or break down specific power dynamics, how may they be desirable, necessary, or even harmful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We welcome proposals for full papers and short papers related to the following topics in order to encourage interdisciplinary discussions at AFC#8. From the following list, you will be asked to choose three topics that most relate to your research. Parallel sessions will be arranged based on the themes you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session Themes<\/strong><\/td>Topics<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Natural Sciences<\/td>Innovation \/ Automation & Robotics \/ Climate Change and Disaster Management \/ Environment and Energy \/ Bioengineering Food and Water \/ Health \/ and other topics related to the Natural Sciences<\/td><\/tr>
Social Sciences<\/td>Globalization \/ Peace \/ Area Studies \/ Social Development and Human Security Management \/ Human Resource Development Income and Wealth Gap \/ Aging Society \/ and other topics related to the Social Sciences<\/td><\/tr>
Humanities<\/td>Philosophy \/ Religion \/ History \/ Ethics \/ Literature \/ Linguistics \/ Language Education \/ Arts \/ Media \/ Culture \/ and other topics related to the Humanities<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0<\/strong>Languages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The official languages of AFC#8 are English and Japanese. Select the language of your oral presentation when you register. Abstracts in English must be no more than 250 words. If your oral presentation is in Japanese, please submit your abstract both in English (250 words) and Japanese (600 characters). You do not need to submit an English version of your full paper or short paper if your oral presentation is in Japanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0Paper submission and presentation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The AFC aims to provide a platform for researchers and scholars who have studied in Japan or who are interested in Japan to meet and discuss the future of Asia. The AFC is an international and interdisciplinary conference and encourages diverse approaches to global issues in order to promote lively discussions. The AFC is not a conference for a specific field of study. Try to make your presentation comprehensible to a general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Papers that are already published are also welcome, but please indicate this in your abstracts and papers. They are NOT, however, eligible for the selection of AFC Scholarships and Best Papers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Short Paper (between 2 to 3 pages)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To facilitate lively, international, and interdisciplinary discussions at the conference, we ask you to submit a short paper (2-3 pages) online that describes the contents of your oral presentation. Your presentation handouts (e.g. summary and PowerPoint slides) can be accepted in lieu of a short paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deadline for online submissions of abstracts is February 28, 2026. Upon acceptance, the deadline for online submissions (uploading of PDF files) of short papers is May 31, 2026. We will consider it as a retraction of your presentation if we do not receive your short paper by the deadline. Short papers are not eligible for the AFC Scholarship and Best Paper Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Full Paper<\/strong>\uff08<\/strong>between 5 to 10 pages<\/strong>\uff09<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

*Punctual submissions are eligible for the AFC Scholarship and Best Paper Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AFC encourages research with an international and interdisciplinary approach and provides an opportunity to further enhance such research. Even though your work may not yet be complete, we encourage you to submit work-in-progress in order to improve it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are applying for the AFC Scholarship and\/or Best Paper Awards, the deadline for online submission of abstracts is September 20, 2025. Upon acceptance, you can apply for AFC Scholarships. The scholarship announcement is included in the notice of acceptance. The selection results will be released before January 20, 2026. The deadline for online submissions (uploading of PDF files) of the full papers is March 31, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AFC Academic Committee will also select 20 Best Papers. Awards are given to the Best Paper authors at the conference, and the Best Papers will be included in the edited volume \u201cToward the Future of Asia: My Proposal Vol. 8\u201d to be published after the conference. Already published papers and those that have been awarded an AFC Best Paper Award in the past are not eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do not apply for the AFC Scholarship and Best Paper Awards, the deadline for online submission of abstracts is February 28, 2026. Upon acceptance, the deadline for online submissions (uploading of PDF files) of the full papers is May 31, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0 Assignment of Parallel Sessions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Parallel Sessions will be held on August 26-27, 2026 at Tohoku Gakuin University, Itsutsubashi Campus (Lecture Building). The schedule for parallel sessions will be announced on the AFC Online System by July 25, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. General Session (Sessions arranged by AFC Organizing Committee)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Except for presentations arranged by groups (see below), all the full papers and short papers that are submitted online by May 31, 2026 will be grouped according to the language of oral presentations (English or Japanese). Sessions will then be assigned according to the topics (see above) that you choose when you submit your paper online. Each presentation will be 15 minutes long, with 3 to 4 presentations per session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Group Session (Sessions arranged by groups of presenters)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you want to arrange a session by yourself, you may organize a group session (90 minutes) consisting of between 3 to 5 presenters, 1 or 2 discussants, with 1 or 2 session chairs. Please provide the following information via email to the AFC Secretariat ( afc2026@aisf.or.jp<\/a> ) before February 28, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Title and abstract of your session (if your oral presentation is in Japanese, include both in Japanese and English).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Name and AFC User Registration Numbers (4 digits) and Submission Numbers (3 digits) of all the presenters, discussants, and chairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Language of your (session) presentation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      \u25a0Submission Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Register for a user account on the AFC#8 website. Upon registration, you can use your ID and password to repeatedly access and make any changes to account details. When you register, you will find the User Registration Number (4 digits) in the Online System. Please be sure to include this number when you contact the AFC Secretariat. If you have participated and registered in the three previous AFCs (AFC#7, AFC#6, AFC#5), you may use the same ID and password. In this case, please do not forget to update your information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Submit your paper abstracts through your personal page on the AFC website:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n