Events by year: 2020

10 December 2020

Kabuki: Matsumoto Kōshirō X on Tradition and Innovation

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performance art known for its rich fusion of drama, dance, music, stylised gesture, and costumes. Although its rich history makes it tempting to consider it a solely traditional art form, kabuki is innovative and has consistently evolved to adjust with the times. In this webinar, Matsumoto Kōshirō X explained the relationship between tradition and innovation from the perspective of a kabuki actor, and shared his thoughts on how kabuki has responded to the pandemic and how it will evolve in the future.

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1 December 2020

The Shogun’s Silver Telescope

This book takes up the matter of the arrival of the English in Japan in 1613. It addresses why they sought access to Japan, and how they prepared themselves to enter the market. Screech argues that the English presence in Japan in this period was extremely important. His argument centres on the decision to send the spectacular present of a silver-gild telescope to the retired shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was the first telescope to leave Europe and the first built to be a royal present. This book thus outlines a key but forgotten answer to the vexed question of why the missions were closed in Japan, after so many decades of successful evangelism.

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24 November 2020

The New Global Order after the US Election

The protracted presidential election process has put America in the limelight, with the world watching intently to see who would take the reins and lead this global superpower. In this webinar, Professor G. John Ikenberry discussed how the global order and power balance are likely to be impacted, especially in Asia, with reference to his new book ‘A World Safe for Democracy’ (Yale 2020). Then, Wataru Sawamura, Bureau Chief of The Asahi Shimbun in Washington, shared his thoughts on the impact of the US election on Japan-US relations and Japan’s global position.

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23 November 2020

Health in Japan 1960-2020

In the second half of the 20th century Japan made remarkable gains in life expectancy. To this day Japan remains one of the healthiest and most equal societies in the world, despite the recent economic slowdown. ‘Health in Japan’ brings together the research and broader perspectives of Japan’s leading social epidemiologists in English for the first time. In this 90-minute seminar and book launch, Professor Richard Wilkinson and Professor Gill Livingston reflected on Japan’s success in population health, linking social organisation to the health issues which are so important for Japan and many other countries.

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13 November 2020

Contemporary Dance during Lockdown

The dance industry is one that operates on thin margins, and with the current pandemic having a serious impact on all the arts, for dance specifically both institutions and practitioners are in serious financial danger. In this talk, Alistair Spalding of Sadler’s Wells spoke about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the dance sector, the transformation of dance, and the role of dance in society. Then, contemporary dancer Fukiko Takase discussed a new methodology of contemporary dance and her recent activities during lockdown.

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6 November 2020

The future of human-robot interaction

We humans have an innate brain function that enables us to recognise other humans. So very human-like robots – androids – can be ideal vehicles for human-computer interactions. Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro has developed various types of interactive robots and androids in order to study these technologies and understand human nature, and has contributed to establishing Human-Robot Interaction as an area of research. Recently he has been developing and studying autonomous conversational robots and androids, especially focussing on embodiment, emotion and intention/desire of robots and androids. In this webinar, he discussed the society of the future. Professor Oliver Brock then addressed the challenges and obstacles of AI/Robotics.

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3 November 2020

Design and Sound during Lockdown

The pandemic has forced the closure of many entertainment venues during the lockdown. Cities have become quieter spaces and people have been cut off from many familiar sounds, changing our interactions with the outside world. In this webinar chaired by Nick Luscombe, Yuri Suzuki investigated the relationship between humans and sound, and explored how our relationship to sound since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Gemma Curtin talked about the ‘Electronic – From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers’ exhibition, and how it is one of the few opportunities to experience the atmosphere and sound of live music presentation during these times.

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28 October 2020

Global collaboration against the pandemic

The number of coronavirus cases in the UK and Europe is surging again, in a clear reminder that the global fight against the outbreak has not yet ended. Governments and private-sector organisations across the globe are making enormous efforts to accelerate the development of and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines. But concerns about inadequate international coordination remain. In this talk, Dr Osamu Kunii of the Global Fund spoke about current international efforts to end the pandemic, and the challenges they face. Professor Stuart Blume then examined the specific challenges involved in developing and distributing an effective and affordable vaccine.

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26 October 2020

Ishikawa Sanshirō’s Geographical Imagination

Ishikawa Sanshirō was a journalist and anarchist in the early twentieth century, active at a time of tremendous intellectual and social ferment. Geographical Imagination investigates his engagement with causes such as farmers’ autonomy, gender equality, and anti-war and anti-pollution. Through Ishikawa’s personal journey – which includes several years of European exile – the book invites us to reconsider the scope and ambitions of anarchism in Japan at the time and reassesses geographical thought as a basis for dialogue between Eastern and Western radical thinkers.

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23 October 2020

パラリンピアンの世界観

The present coronavirus pandemic is posing challenges for people all around the world. Paralympic athletes, who were preparing to participate in the next Tokyo Paralympic games, are no exception. The social distancing policy adopted in numerous countries, including Japan and the UK, is changing lifestyles and making us rethink what we can do to overcome this difficult period and move forward. Noel Thatcher MBE will talk talk about his life journeys and how he has been able to transform their greatest challenges into opportunities, including the important role of sport and physical activities in developing mental and physical well-being.

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22 October 2020

Hong Kong - the wider implications

This year’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists and journalists in Hong Kong is an important attack on the global spread of democracy. Are Western nations responding forcefully enough? Will China be emboldened in other areas where it controls or claims territory, including Taiwan and the Senkaku islands? Hong Kong democracy activist Simon Cheng discussed the issues based on his personal experiences, including arrest by the Chinese authorities. Professor Barry Buzan addressed the implications for the shifting power balance in Asia, and how Western nations should respond. Professor Arthur Stockwin then considered the Japanese angle.

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15 October 2020

日英のジャーナリズム

What are the differences between journalism in the UK and Japan? Being categorised as “public service” organisations, broadcasters are expected to provide a balanced perspective on news and issues across the political spectrum. By contrast, newspapers are able to publish very skewed views as they are subject to much less stringent rules (largely self-regulation). Nowadays it is increasingly hard to distinguish between different media types as they can all be categorised as digital media. We will consider the Japanese media in the light of three fundamental characteristics of the UK media – holding power to account, being on the side of citizens, and lack of deference.

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