The 1st Japan-India Asia Future Forum (JIAFF) will take place in Delhi as below.    Theme : “Japanese Studies in Asia: Building Academic Networks” Date: 13th March 2026 (Friday) Time: 9 AM — 6 PM Venue: Sir Shankar Lal Concert Hall, University of Delhi Organizers: Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi, Atsumi International Foundation Sekiguchi Global Research Association (SGRA) Language: English   The event is free and open to all. Please register via this link.      Purpose Research on East Asia has traditionally been approached either from within the East Asian region or through Western analytical frameworks. In the context of rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics and the growing importance of inter-Asian connectivity, it has become imperative to reorient these perspectives. This forum seeks to emphasise the significance of East Asian Studies—particularly Japanese Studies in India—as well as research on India conducted within East Asia.   As the first initiative of its kind in South Asia, the forum aims to promote the creation of robust academic networks among scholars and institutions engaged in East Asian and South Asian studies. It will provide a platform for critical discussions on the current relevance of area studies, diverse methodological approaches to the study of Asian societies by other Asian scholars, emerging academic trends, and students’ research interests.   Through interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange, the forum seeks to identify both shared concerns and distinctive trajectories within Asian scholarship. By highlighting key themes and opportunities for future collaboration, it aspires to lay the groundwork for sustainable and mutually enriching academic partnerships across Asia.     Program (A detailed program with presenter profiles and abstracts is available here) Overall Chair/Master of Ceremonies: Faculty, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi 9:30 - 10:00 AM – Registration 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM   Opening Ceremony   10:00 – 10:15   Welcome Address: Prof. Ranjana Mukhopadhyaya, Head, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi 10:15 –10:30   Opening Remarks by Ms Imanishi Junko, Representative, Sekiguchi Global Research Association (Atsumi International Foundation) 10:30 – 11:30   Welcome Speeches   11:30 – 12:00 PM   Break & Interactions with the dignitaries 12:00 – 1:00 PM: Presentations by Invited Speakers (Experts of Japanese Studies from Korea, Taiwan, Japan and India) 12:00 – 12:15   Presentation – 1 Dr Nidhi Maini (Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi) Japanese Studies in India: Growth, Opportunities and Cultural Exchange   12:15 – 12:30   Presentation – 2 Prof. Nam Ki-jeong (Professor, Institute for Japanese Studies, Seoul National University) The Development and Future of Japanese Studies in Korea — Seoul National University’s Initiative and the Turn to “Post–Area Studies”   12:30 – 12:45   Presentation – 3 Prof. Chen Tzu-ching (Professor, Department of Applied Japanese, Kainan University, Taiwan) The Status and Trends of Japanese Studies and Japanese Language Education in Taiwan: Toward Constructing a Japan-Taiwan-India Academic Network   12:45 – 1:00   Presentation – 4 Mr Hoshina Teruyuki (Director, Japanese Studies and Global Partnerships, the Japan Foundation, New Delhi) The Japan Foundation and Academic Network Building in South Asia   1:00 – 2:00 PM   Lunch Break   2:00 – 3:00 PM   Panel Discussion Moderator: Dr Amlan Dutta, Japanese Studies, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. Panellists: Invited Speakers & Faculty/ Research Scholars of Japanese Studies Nam Ki-jeong (Professor, Seoul National University) Chen Tzu-ching (Professor, Kainan University, Taiwan) Mr Teruyuki Hoshina (Japan Foundation, New Delhi)   Discussants: Dr Alok Chandan, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi Khushboo Bansal, PhD scholar, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi   Q&A with the Audience   3:00 – 3:15 PM    Break   3:15 – 4:30 PM   Paper Presentations Chair: Dr Ambika Basu, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi.   Dr Shashank Patel, Researcher, Department of East Asian Studies India-Japan Techno-Strategic Convergence: Case of Semicon Techplomacy    Ahmad Shadaan, PhD Scholar, Department of East Asian Studies Japanese Anime and Manga in India: Its Reception and Recent Expansions   Shreya Mamgain, PhD Scholar, Department of East Asian Studies Women in Japanese Society and Literature: The case of Atarashii Onna and Modan Garu    Rashi Chaudhury, PhD Scholar, Department of East Asian Studies Ayurveda Meets Washoku: Ancient Indian Health Wisdom in Modern Japanese Diet.   Q&A with the Invited Speakers and Audience    4:30 – 5:30 PM – Valedictory Session & Cultural Program 4:30- 4:45 –Valedictory Speech by Prof. Neera Agnimitra, Dean, International Relations, University of Delhi. 4:45- 5:45 – Cultural Program by Japanese language students of the University of Delhi 5:45 – 6:00   Vote of Thanks by Dr Prachi Aggarwal, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi.   6:00 PM High Tea & Interactions 7:30 PM Dinner     Inquiries: Department of East Asian Studies: [email protected] /  SGRA Secretariat: [email protected]