Events category: Webinar

Ishiuchi Miyako: Traces

Through subjects as diverse as old apartment blocks, human scars, kimono fabrics, personal belongings of the deceased and even her own water-damaged prints, Ishiuchi Miyako (b. 1947) captures time, atmosphere and memory in photographic form. Ishiuchi Miyako: Traces charts the course of her practice over fifty years and identifies themes that resurface throughout her work, including her relationship with place, the passage of time and the bodies and possessions of people, always with an emphasis on ephemerality. In this book launch, co-editor Lena Fritsch will introduce the book and discuss Ishiuchi’s work with the artist.

Japanese Poster Design: From 1945 to the Age of AI

Japanese poster design has evolved alongside social and cultural changes and technological innovation. Tracing the history of posters allows us to gain insight into the values, concerns, and social consciousness of different eras.

In this webinar, Ian Lynam will examine the evolution of Japanese poster design from 1945 to the age of AI, covering the postwar era, Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, Expo ’70, the bubble economy, the “Lost Decades,” and today’s AI era. He will also explore the unique qualities of Japanese graphic design, the power of posters as a medium, and the relationship between design and society over time.

バイリンガル研究：第二言語習得とAI

日本や英国で増加するバイリンガルは、未来を創る重要な存在です。しかし、その習得プロセスには、今も多くの謎が残されています。本ウェビナーでは、最新のバイリンガル研究の知見を解き明かします。環境要因や個人の能力の影響や、ロンドン大学(UCL)の最新研究を通して、なぜ言語習得に差が生まれるのか、そして何がその大きな要因となるのかを紐解きます。

そしてこれらの知見をもとに、AI時代の今、家庭内外でどのように積極的な多言語環境を築けるのかについて考えます。未来の教育と研究の可能性について、皆さんと共に議論します。

Japanese Politics under the Takaichi Administration

Prime Minister Takaichi has marked six months in office after becoming Japan’s first female Prime Minister last October. While her approval rating among the population remains high, it is uncertain whether she can sustain this level of support in months to come. Factors such as inflation and economic and energy security may play a key role in determining this. In this webinar, moderated by Professor John Nilsson-Wright, Professor Izuru Makihara analysed the first six months of her administration, including her leadership and policy initiatives, as well as the major challenges she faces.

The Iran War and Implications for Japan

More than a month has passed since the United States and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran, with Iran responding by launching attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Gulf. As geopolitical tensions rise, the future of the global economy and relations between countries may be redefined. In this webinar, moderated by Bill Hayton, Professor Koichiro Tanaka analysed the impact of the conflict in Iran, related energy issues and Japan’s strategic position in relation to the United States and Iran, as well as the potential role of the G7 in addressing these challenges.

AI in Education

In this webinar, moderated by Andreas Schleicher, Associate Professor Lui Yoshida of the University of Tokyo discussed the current state of generative AI adoption in Japan’s educational landscape. He explored how teachers are navigating the challenges that have emerged alongside tools such as ChatGPT, and shared his perspective on the future direction of AI integration in education. Carla Aerts, former Director of Futures at UCL’s Institute of Education and Global Digital Director at Cambridge University Press, discussed the current state of AI in education in the UK. She explored its possibilities and challenges, as well as how AI can contribute to personalised and immersive learning, support neurodiversity and shape the future of education.

The Takaichi Administration and Japan's Peace Constitution

Amid the Iran conflict, the United States, under the Trump administration, has pressured Japan and other allies to provide support, particularly regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution – enacted after World War II – has played an important role in shaping Japan’s response. In this webinar, moderated by Dr Alexander Rotard, Professor Koichi Nakano explained the shifting and contested boundaries of what Japan can and cannot do under Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.

AI in Medical Practice

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping medical practice, with impacts already evident in diagnosis, surgery and physician performance. In this webinar, Dr Sugimoto, a distinguished surgeon at Teikyo University Hospital, discussed the current state of AI implementation in medical practice in Japan, as well as his work combining AI, virtual reality (VR) and robotics in surgical operations. Dr Stamatia then presented on AI-assisted tumour resection during robotic surgery, addressing both the opportunities and challenges, and offering insights into how AI is changing the way physicians perform surgery.

The Donroe Doctrine and Japan’s Position in a New World Order

The post-war international order, anchored in international law, the UN charter and multilateralism, is undergoing a profound transformation with the emergence of so called ‘great power politics’ and the adoption of the ‘Donroe doctrine’ as the US’s new foreign policy under the Trump administration. Traditional security alliances and economic relations between countries are being tested, accelerating the transition away from a US-centred order. In this webinar, Japan’s former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hitoshi Tanaka, will explore what is driving change in the global order, as well as the impact of the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ on Japan and East Asia.

AI Governance and Policy in the UK and Japan

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a driver of transformation across industries and societies globally. This tool has the potential to influence the way we work, learn and play, as well as helping us to address some of the most pressing global challenges. However, a number of concerns remain to be addressed, including privacy, security, misinformation, bias and discrimination. In this webinar, the panellists discussed current AI use in the UK and Japan, as well as the regulatory landscape, key challenges, and policy recommendations that can benefit society as a whole.