SEASREP Holds the 2nd SEA-Japan Discussion in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

SEA-Japan Discussion 2| Project INTERACT
11-12 February 2026 | Department of History, Universitas Gadjah Mada

The 2nd SEA-Japan Discussion of Project INTERACT  was held on 11–12 February 2026 at the Department of History, Universitsa Gadjah Mada. On Day 1, the meeting focused on evaluating the recently concluded Oral History in Southeast Asia Seminar. The seminar was widely seen as successful, especially for its intergenerational and dialogical structure that brought together senior scholars, mid-career academics, and junior researchers. They also explored deeper intellectual themes, particularly expanding “oral history” into broader “oralities,” recognizing diverse forms of knowledge like memory, myth, silence, and artistic expression. There was a discussion of plans for the next phases of the project, which continued until the next day of the meeting. Plans include additional SEA–Japan discussions, graduate seminars in Japan and Southeast Asia, and the launch of a Global Southeast Asian Studies project. Longer-term initiatives include conferences, publications, and continued collaboration, alongside efforts to build a network of Japanese scholars.

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

  • Takamichi Serizawa, Senior Assistant Professor, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, Yamaguchi Prefectural University

  • Masao Imamura, Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Yamagata University (Day 1 Only)

Japan Foundation

  • Ben Suzuki, Director, Japan Foundation Manila, (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

  • Vatthana Pholsena, Head, Department of Southeast Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore

  • 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