Southeast Asian and Japanese Southeast Asianists meet in SEASREP's Project INTERACT

SEA-Japan Discussion | Project INTERACT
20-21 September 2025 | Inamori Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto

The SEA-Japan Discussion of Project INTERACT  was held on 20–21 September 2025 at the Inamori Center, Kyoto University. On Day 1, the meeting focused on presenting Project INTERACT to the Japanese participants, and discussing the state of Southeast Asian Studies (SEAS) in Japan and Southeast Asia. Dr. Diokno presented SEASREP’s report “Scanning the Landscape of Southeast Asian Studies in Southeast Asia,”  a survey of SEAS programs, language offerings, and research networks in Southeast Asia, highlighting the growth and diversification of centers and SEAS programs in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Dr. Lopez provided an overview of the state of Southeast Asian Studies in Japan, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaborations among Japanese scholars and opportunities for stronger engagement with Southeast Asian scholars. On Day 2, discussions centered on future plans and collaborative initiatives. Overall, the meeting emphasized strengthening Japan–Southeast Asia academic collaboration, fostering public-oriented research, and creating sustainable platforms for knowledge exchange across the region.

The meeting was attended by the following scholars:

Japan

  • Kisho Tsuchiya, Assistant Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

  • Miria Asaba, Doctoral Degree Student, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

  • Zenta Nishio, Senior Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law and Letters, Ehime University

  • Mario Ivan Lopez, Associate Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University (Day 1 Only)

Japan Foundation

  • Hideki Hara, Managing Director, Global Partnerships Department, Japan Foundation, Japan (Day 1 only)

Southeast Asia (and SEASREP Board)

  • Muhammad Arafat bin Mohamad, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam

  • Abdul Wahid, History Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

  • Mala Rajo Sathian, Southeast Asian Studies Department, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

  • Maria Serena I. Diokno, Executive Director, SEASREP Foundation; Professor Emeritus, University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines

  • Maitrii Aung-Thwin, History Department, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore

  • Chaiwat Meesanthan, Director, Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat University, Thailand