Disturbances in microbiomes both at human and ecosystemic levels are resulting in serious health and environmental crises. Science and Technology Studies is beginning to analyze how fermented foods and fermentation are becoming a part of the commodified wellness market and a space of critical reflection on modern antibiotic relations. Using the case of tsukemono or Japanese pickles, the modern antibiotic turn and its contemporary probiotic modulation will be analyzed using both historical and ethnographic data. The case of tsukemono offers insights into the challenges of the Anthropocene and its impacts on microbiome that take stock of existing linguistic and cultural heritage. The event will be held in English, admission is free. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session and a small reception. Details and registration here

From the late Meiji era, the development of a China-based press network functional to the national interest became an integral part of Japan’s imperial agenda. After the defeat of Russia in the 1904-05 war, the Northeast, compared to other regions, offered to Japanese initiative more favorable conditions to achieve a dominant position in the media landscape. One of the most successful enterprises was the government-sponsored Shengjing Shibao, which became the largest newspaper in Fengtian (Shenyang). As a tool of foreign policy, however, press management suffered from the lack of unified decision-making among different agencies. This talk will present a case study to analyse Japanese imperial press policy as representative of the polycentric character of strategic planning in imperial Japan. Details and registration here

When evaluating cases involving legal relationships between private individuals with cross-border elements Japanese courts determine which jurisdiction’s law shall be applied to the legal relationship using a set of rules called “Private International Law”. Based on the “Savignian approach” to Private International Law, Japan strives to apply the law that it considers most closely connected to the specific legal relationship. In this context, the so-called Public Policy clause provides a crucial safeguard. If the application of foreign law results in a violation of “public policy and good morals,” this clause enables Japanese judges to exclude the foreign law from application. This presentation will analyze the doctrinal development and practical application of the Public Policy clause, illustrating under which circumstances and conditions Japanese courts invoke it. Details and registration here

Economies in Europe and Asia are facing a “slow crisis” with a dual demographic shift: their population is expected to start contracting by 2050; the proportion of older adults is expected to surpass 30% by the same date. Japan is at the forefront of this change, having experienced already a decade of population decline while the share of the elderly is projected to reach 40%.  Particularly challenging is the situation of the “oldest old” who are losing autonomy. The French-Japanese INNOVCARE consortium has introduced “care-led innovation” as a novel approach to reconcile social needs and technological dynamics. The one-day workshop Addressing the Aging Challenge in Europe and Japan – Insights from the INNOVCARE Project , organised by the European Institute of Sophia University, the EHESS, and the DIJ, brings together fifteen international scholars to discuss different perspectives on the aging challenge in Japan. The afternoon part of the workshop will be interpreted into Japanese and is open to the public. Details here

Sign language interpreting plays a crucial role in ensuring effective communication between Deaf and hearing individuals, particularly in highly specialized settings such as court hearings and psychotherapy sessions. However, interpreting in these fields presents unique challenges, as it requires not only linguistic skills but also the ability to navigate cultural nuances, emotional contexts, and diverse communication needs. This research project examines the practices of Deaf and hearing sign language interpreters in Japan, focusing on how they handle demands, interpret nuances, and adapt their interpreting strategies to individual Deaf sign language users. Key areas of investigation include the strategies employed by interpreters in the courtroom, psychotherapy sessions, conferences, and media, and how these strategies vary according to context and audience, as well as their adaptation to the linguistically and culturally diverse needs of Deaf sign language users. This presentation will outline the research project and offer a critical overview of the research methodology employed in the study. Details and registration here