Japanese studies promoted in Southeast Asia

BANGKOK, December 15 (TNA) - Experts on Japanese studies from Southeast Asian countries are gathering in Thailand for the 4th International Conference of the Japanese Studies Association in Southeast Asia (JSA-ASEAN), representing a platform for them to promote Japanese studies in Southeast Asia. The three-day conference, themed “State and Non-state Actors in Japan-ASEAN relations and Beyond”, is organised by the Institute of East Asia Studies at Thammasat University from December 15-17. Eiji Taguchi, Executive Vice President of the Japan Foundation, said on Monday that the Japanese government, through his foundation, has initiated the Asia Centre Programme, under which Japanese language teachers have been sent to Southeast Asian countries, aimed to promote Japanese studies. Professor Somkit Lertpaithoon, Rector of Thammasat University, then pointed out the importance of Japanese studies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as Japan and ASEAN relations have been thriving and dynamic. For example, Somkit acknowledged, Japan's direct investment in the region has been growing over the past three years, accounting for 18.7 per cent of total foreign direct investment (FDI) in ASEAN at the end of 2013, along with Japan-ASEAN relations in socio-cultural spheres, witnessed by an influence of Japanese culture throughout ASEAN societies. During the three-day conference, about 100 participants from Japan and ASEAN countries, discuss, in several stages, academic papers on various topics related to Japan and ASEAN member countries. The JSA-ASEAN, established in 2005, is a network among Japanese language specialists from Southeast Asia to promote Japanese studies in the region. (TNA)