Events category: Annual Seminar Series Seminar

21 June 2019

Digital technology as a bridge between art and society

The rapid evolution of digital technology is re-shaping traditional ways of practising both science and art. Technology provides an interception point that brings together these fields, generating beneficial interactions that support innovation and transformation. In this seminar chaired by Ghislaine Boddington, we explored the symbiotic relationship between digital technologies, art and science, and look at the implications for society.

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11 June 2019

The 5G Global Race: Where do Japan and the UK stand?

The global race towards the next generation of computer and phone networks, known as 5G, has already begun. 5G is expected to support a future of robots, autonomous vehicles, AI and many other technologies; however there are also concerns of espionage and data vulnerability and governments are currently deciding the best strategy for deploying the technology. This seminar looked at 5G, discussing the potential applications of the technology and the implications for society, the current 5G global competition and the UK government’s attitude towards it.

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30 April 2019

Populism in Japan

Japan seems to be a relatively stable democracy at a time of rising populism around the world. Japan has successfully advanced free trade initiatives in the Asia Pacific region and with Europe and Shinzo Abe is soon to be the longest-serving prime minister in the country’s history. Yet, it by no means follows that Japan is immune to populistic impulsions. This event explored how populism plays out in public discourses across society, politics and foreign relations in Japan today and how the case of Japan can be situated in a global context.

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28 March 2019

What Brexit Means for Japan

As Brexit day on March 29th approaches, Japanese companies based in the UK have started preparing for a no-deal scenario. The trend of shifting some operations out of the UK seems to be gaining momentum among Japanese companies, which may have a long-term effect on UK-Japan commercial relations. In this seminar, Professor Ken Endo of Hokkaido University analysed the impact of Brexit on UK-Japan relations and EU-Japan relations. Grant Lewis, of Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Ltd, then explained the economic impact of Brexit from a UK perspective.

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29 November 2018

Approaching a new nuclear threat age - what can we learn from Hiroshima?

President Donald Trump recently announced his intention to withdraw the US from its nuclear arms treaty with Russia and his desire to develop the US nuclear arsenal. The news shocked civil society in both Europe and Japan. This seminar looked at the challenges facing nuclear treaties in the current international context and discussed the lessons that can be learnt from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Michimasa Hirata, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, spoke about his experiences during and after the nuclear explosion.

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22 November 2018

New approaches to security: Does Japan have other options than the US?

Japan’s foreign and security policy has remained unchanged under the leadership of Prime Minister Abe, and the Japan-US alliance remains strong. However, this relationship is by no means assured and with the Trump administration anything could happen. In the longer term, America may become a less reliable ally and weaken its obligations to defend Japan. These changes in the international landscape raise numerous questions surrounding the US-Japan Security Treaty. This seminar addressed these questions and discuss how Japan should best maintain its peace and prosperity in this new age.

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25 October 2018

New approaches to addressing climate change in the UK and Japan

Temperatures soared this summer in both the UK and Japan and global temperatures continue to rise faster than the rate predicted by climate modelling. This raises many questions about the implications of climate change, which this seminar attempted to address. Professor Sam Fankhauser and Dr Takeshi Kuramochi outlined the current patterns of climate change and discussed the social, economic and environmental consequences of climate change. They then analysed current government policies which are being implemented to deal with climate change.

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3 October 2018

New Approaches to Ainu Contemporary Art

Despite facing discrimination in Japan, the indigenous Ainu people have maintained their own culture and art. The Ainu have developed their art through their everyday life and it has its own unique value and beauty. Surprisingly, Ainu art has been largely ignored in Japan but has received attention in other countries such as the UK. In this seminar the Ainu artist Toru Kaizawa will talk about his passion for Ainu contemporary art; Professor Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere will explain why she values Ainu contemporary art; and Professor Simon Kaner will explore Ainu art from a historical perspective.

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6 September 2018

Archives and secret papers: uncovering hidden truth

We live in a world where we are surrounded by endless information.  However, when information is so readily available, how do we tell fact from fiction?  In this seminar, three journalists, who specialise in uncovering new facts by using National Archives, will discuss how public documents can be used to reveal government secrets, both past and present, and uncover the truth in Japan and the UK.  Although the use of archives is a long-standing journalistic practice, in our information saturated societies, it may take on new importance in the dissemination of knowledge.

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26 June 2018

New Approaches: #MeToo in Japan and the UK

The #MeToo movement is a campaign that has enabled thousands of people around the world to speak out about sexual misconduct. In this seminar, the impact of #MeToo was discussed in relation to the UK and Japan. The speakers outlined the implications and effects the movement has had across each society and the extent to which it may impact government policies and legislation, as well as the challenges that the movement faces.

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