イベント＆アクティビティ
Vortrag von Carolin Fleischer-Heininger zu Behinderung in japanischer Gegenwartsliteratur
Im Jahr 2023 gewann der Roman „Hunchback“ von Ichikawa Saou den renommierten Akutagawa-Preis, jetzt liegt er in deutscher Übersetzung vor. Aus diesem Anlass veranstaltet das Japanische Kulturinstitut Köln zusammen mit dem Arbeitsbereich Soziologie und Politik der Rehabilitation, Disability Studies der Universität Köln den literaturwissenschaftlichen Abend “Das Thema der Behinderung in japanischer und deutschsprachiger Gegenwartsliteratur: Von Ichikawa Saous „Hunchback“ zu Christoph Kellers „Jeder Krüppel ein Superheld“. Die zwei Vortragenden sprechen prägnante Beispiele der japanischen und deutschen Gegenwartsliteratur an, die Fragen rund um Autonomie, Sexualität und gesellschaftliche Barrieren aufwerfen. Zu Japan spricht DIJ-Literaturwissenschaftlerin Carolin Fleischer-Heininger („Ichikawa Saous korrektives Porträt einer Körperbehinderung im Kontext japanischer Gegenwartsliteratur“). Im Anschluss an die Vorträge lädt die Übersetzerin von „Hunchback“, Katja Busson, die Vortragenden zu einem moderierten Gespräch ein. Der Veranstaltung findet am 27. Januar an der Universität Köln statt. Es wird eine Verdolmetschung in Deutsche Gebärdensprache angeboten.
Hybrid Workshop on Machizukuri and Adaptive Governance in Hita
This hybrid bilingual workshop focuses on local initiatives in response to the current challenges facing regional Japan, exemplified by the city of Hita in Ōita Prefecture. The event combines the perspectives of two scholars on this area in Northern Kyushu and one practitioner from the field. It addresses aspects of local resilience in times of disruption and postgrowth. The speakers illustrate two different revitalization approaches, displaying the merits and limitations of tourist-based machizukuri, or “town-making” activities. The aim of the workshop is to critically engage in a discussion about adaptation processes in rural Japan. Investigating the same region from three different angles promises a more nuanced understanding of social dynamics and societal change. After the three presentations, a panel discussion including Q&A will conclude the event. Details and registration here
Harald Kümmerle interviewed about Japanese digital strategy
“Japan’s digital policy is consensus-driven, differing from both Western and Chinese approaches”, says DIJ researcher Harald Kümmerle in a recent interview with Nikkei X-Tech, an online news portal of Japanese newspaper Nikkei Shinbun. Building on a widely recognised classification of global digital governance into three ideal types – market-driven (US), state-driven (China), and rights-driven (EU) – Kümmerle proposes Japan’s consensus-driven model as a distinct fourth type. This model, he argues, is characterized by soft regulation and administrative guidance rather than formal rule-making. This provides both opportunities and challenges. As Harald notes in the interview, “If Japan can expand its circle of partners among Indo-Pacific nations in the field of economic security, it may be able to mediate between the EU and the US.” The article (in Japanese) is available here.
Season’s Greetings and best wishes for the New Year
Das Deutsche Institut für Japanstudien wünscht erholsame und frohe Festtage und einen guten Start in ein erfolgreiches Jahr des Pferdes!
The German Institute for Japanese Studies wishes you a happy holiday season and a successful Year of the Horse!
ドイツ日本研究所一同、皆様のご多幸と来るべき新年が成功の年になることを祈念いたします。
Stellenausschreibung Verwaltungsmitarbeiter/Verwaltungsmitarbeiterinnen (m/w/d)
Werden Sie Teil des DIJ-Teams in unserer Verwaltung! Die ausgeschriebenen Stellen umfassen insbesondere folgende Aufgaben: Veranstaltungsorganisation und -durchführung (Eventmanagement); Unterstützung bei Beschaffung und Vergabe von Aufträgen an japanische Unternehmen und Partner; Unterstützung bei der Personalverwaltung, bei japanischen Bankvorgängen und Visaangelegenheiten; Kommunikation mit japanischen Behörden, Unternehmen, Kooperationspartnern; Pflege und Verwaltung des Inventars; Gästebetreuung und Sekretariatsaufgaben (Empfang, Telefon, Post etc.); allgemeine organisatorische Aufgaben zur Unterstützung des Instituts. Wenn Sie muttersprachliche Japanischkenntnisse sowie sehr gute Kenntnisse der deutschen und englischen Sprache haben sowie sicher sind im Umgang mit Bürosoftware, freuen wir uns auf Ihre Bewerbung bis zum 8. Januar 2026. Die vollständige Ausschreibung finden Sie hier auf Deutsch und auf Japanisch.
Hybrid DIJ Study Group on the Political Economy of U.S. Military Bases
This talk provides an overview of the economic and political impacts of the presence of U.S. military bases in Japan. International relations research has traditionally examined U.S. bases qualitatively, treating them as an outcome of U.S. global security strategy. In contrast, military economics focus on the economic effects of base closures and realignments in the United States and Europe. Studies examining the impact of U.S. bases on Japan remain scarce. This research addresses this gap by presenting the historical and strategic background of U.S. bases in Japan, alongside empirical evidence and case studies that illustrate the effects of these bases on surrounding communities. The project employs a mixed-methods design and explores the relationship between U.S. bases and Japanese municipalities using the original dataset “The United States Bases in Japan”, which draws on a wide range of primary and secondary sources. Details and registration here
Hybrid DIJ Study Group on Industrial Policy and Technology Transfer in Postwar Japan
Was the postwar economic miracle a result of the Japanese government’s industrial policy, or did it occur despite it? Numerous studies on the effects of government policy on industrial growth have produced contradictory or inconclusive findings. In this talk, Krautter argues that one of the main instruments of industrial policy toward growth industries was the licensing system for technology imports. Focusing on technology policy, he finds that the licensing system positively influenced the terms and conditions of technology imports. Krautter contends that the government’s role in postwar industrial development was more that of a coordinator rather than of a “leader” or “guide.” This view is reflected in the description of the Japanese state as a coordination state, contrasting with the well-known concept of the developmental state. Details and registration here
Call for Applications: Mobility Fellowships – Global Indo-Pacific
We invite applications for mobility fellowships in the research node “Global Indo-Pacific: Connecting Histories and Futures” for research stays at any partner institution from one to two months between April and October 2026. The node presently includes researchers from five MWS institutes (DIJ Tokyo, GHI London, MWF Delhi, GHI Paris, GHI Washington), the Asia Research Institute (ARI) at the National University of Singapore and the Institute for Asian and African Studies at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Centered at ARI, it conducts research within the three modules “History, Heritage and Civilization”, “Knowledge, Networks and Institutions”, and “Earth, Energy and Water”. The mobility fellowships support self-chosen innovative research projects with links to one of the node’s module themes. This call for applications aims at strengthening and expanding networks within and beyond the research node. Application deadline: December 14, 2025. Details here
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Call for Submissions
Contemporary Japan
current issue Vol. 38, No.1
Contemporary Japan is open year-round for rolling submissions, with accepted publications published immediately online. Please see the instructions for submission here.
DIJ Monograph Series
Our monograph series is 
Open Access after a one-year embargo period. Downloads are available on our
→ monographs pages.
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