Past Events

Isn't London a catalyst for storytelling?

In this talk, moderated by Jonathan Watkins, Taihei Soejima presented artworks that explore histories in which multiple truths coexist, employing the contrasting media of generative AI and analogue film, alongside portraiture capturing individuals in multicultural communities undergoing gentrification. He reflected on how his ‘unresolved experiences’ have been transformed into his current artistic practice, with London acting as a catalyst.

The Japanese Fiction Boom: From the publisher’s desk

Over the last few years Japanese titles have taken up half of the slots on translated literature bestseller lists. What caused this sudden wave of Western interest in Japanese fiction across all genres? This talk went behind the perfect storm of reasons that has made Japanese literature the biggest publishing trend of recent years. It also tried to answer the question of what aspect of reading experience the Western public was missing and why Japanese writers are uniquely positioned to fill that gap. What are the remaining Japanese titles that are still being overlooked? It tried to share future predictions as well.

Gallery Tour: SECOND LAW

Join us for a free lunchtime tour of Reijiro Wada’s first solo exhibition in the UK, SECOND LAW, led by Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation staff.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics holds that the universe is always tending towards disorder. Ultimately all structures disintegrate and no system can withstand the flow of time. This is the fundamental direction of nature. How then is it possible that life, as we know it, can give rise to things that are beautiful, sublime and have profound meaning for us?

How far does the glinting light of life reach in a chaotic cosmos?

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 introduced the book and discussed Ishiuchi’s work with the artist.

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.

Is AI Really Taking over Art?

Generative AI has rapidly been implemented across many fields, including the art sector. It has become much easier for people without any artistic or technical background to create their own ‘art’. From image generation to interactive installations, AI is transforming how art is created, experienced and perceived. In this seminar, new media artists Akane Hiraoka and Adam Wadey explored how artists use AI in contemporary art practice and shared insights into their multi-layered workflows. They also presented selected artworks while reflecting on the current possibilities and limitations of AI, and how these may evolve in the near future.

Gallery Tour: SECOND LAW

Join us for a free lunchtime tour of Reijiro Wada’s first solo exhibition in the UK, SECOND LAW, led by Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation staff.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics holds that the universe is always tending towards disorder. Ultimately all structures disintegrate and no system can withstand the flow of time. This is the fundamental direction of nature. How then is it possible that life, as we know it, can give rise to things that are beautiful, sublime and have profound meaning for us?

How far does the glinting light of life reach in a chaotic cosmos?

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.

Private View: SECOND LAW

The Second Law of Thermodynamics holds that the universe is always tending towards disorder. Ultimately all structures disintegrate and no system can withstand the flow of time. This is the fundamental direction of nature. How then is it possible that life, as we know it, can give rise to things that are beautiful, sublime and have profound meaning for us?

How far does the glinting light of life reach in a chaotic cosmos?

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 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.