Compared to other industrialized nations, the litigation rate for traffic accident disputes in Japan is remarkably low, leading to the widespread belief that the Japanese tend to avoid taking legal action. This has sparked a debate about the ‘legal consciousness’ in Japanese society. Julien Schickling will present research findings from expert interviews conducted with judges, lawyers, insurance companies, and dispute resolution institutions to shed light on the system for resolving traffic accident disputes in Japan. In addition, he will analyze the rise in litigation rates for traffic accident disputes in Japan observed since the early 2000s, with the aim of providing comprehensive reasons for this shift. Details and registration here

Rural areas in Japan have been facing challenges due to ongoing demographic decline and high rates of aging — but they are often also home to vibrant places offering space for deliberation, communication, networking, and political activities. While some of these spaces can be small in size, focusing on specific local problems, others may have goals reaching far beyond the local sphere. The DIJ workshop Conceptualizing communicative spaces in rural areas in Japan and Germany brings together scholars who have been analysing and conceptualising such spaces in their research in Japan and Germany. The speakers will present their research, followed by a discussion to conceptualize these dynamic spaces and to reflect on the differences between Japan and Germany. The aim of the workshop is to exchange ideas on how these places might help to deal with current challenges in rural areas and to establish a network of scholars and practitioners working on the topic. Details and registration here

Japanese politics has a woman problem. Not only are women relatively absent from legislative assemblies; when they run for elections, and even after they’ve won, they are often faced with sexual harassment. These issues seem particularly acute in local level assemblies, and even more so in rural areas. In Japan, 15.6% of local assembly seats are occupied by women, and only 2 of the 47 governors are women. This is in spite of the enactment in 2018 of a gender parity law, the Act on Promotion of Gender Equality in the Political Field. The speakers in this DIJ Forum will explore the causes of women’s under-representation in local politics and highlight the sexism experienced by women who campaign for and get elected to office. By considering institutional and cultural barriers, they will present a big-picture analysis of the problem of male-dominated politics in Japan. Details and registration here

As part of the nationwide campaign “Japan Cultural Heritage”, the religious tradition Shugendō has been listed as cultural heritage by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs. Ever since, this label has been used to promote the tourist marketing of one of the main areas of Shugendō practice in Wakayama. Practicing groups across the country are also gathering in digital social networks, creating new structures and collaborating with international groups practicing outside of Japan. Shugendō is thereby involved in debates about the environment and sustainability, national identity and, of course, cultural heritage. This lecture explores how practitioners of this religious tradition and external sectors are related to each other and how religion influences socioeconomics and the imagination of “culture”. Latest field research by the speaker provides insights into the cultural heritage campaign and the role Shugendō plays regarding the Expo 2025 in Osaka. Details and registration here

Germany, which has become accustomed to cheap gas from Russia, easy market access to China and peace and stability in Europe, has experienced a rude awakening. One of the most urgent tasks now is to ensure economic security. However, it is not the USA but Japan with its advanced system of economic security that seems to be the more appropriate role model. After all, Japan’s strong industrial production base, its export orientation and its positioning between economic dependence on China and security dependence on the USA are very similar to Germany’s situation. Against this background, the question arises as to which characteristics make the Japanese system of economic security so attractive from a German perspective? And how does Japan deal with the uncertainties, dilemmas and risks that state intervention in economic decision-making processes inevitably entails? Details and registration here

The Rugby World Cup held in Japan in 2019 was an intriguing example of a large-scale international sporting event that triggered national identity discourses. A multi-ethnic team which represented Japan with outstanding success, Japan’s national rugby team’s journey through the tournament was broadly covered in the media and the team was cheered on by fans across the country. Yet, the myth of mono-ethnicity still resonates with some segments in Japanese society. The resulting tension is brought into focus by intensive media reporting and can ultimately lead to a process of redefining a nation-state’s self-perception. This presentation will discuss the tensions between the assumed mono-ethnicity and the reality of a changing society. How does this discourse of national belonging in Japan take place? What is considered diverse in Japan and where do national and international reporting clash regarding Japanese national identity? Details and registration here