Attending the workshop, on behalf of Hanoi National University were Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (Chairman of the Science and Training Council), Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo, Prof. Dr. Momoki Shiro (Vietnam-Japan University), along with many researchers and lecturers from universities and research institutes: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam-Japan University; Ha Long University, Japan International School, Thang Long University, Institute of Han Nom Studies, Vietnam Institute of Archaeology, Institute of Imperial City Studies, Institute of History, etc.
The workshop also attracted a large number of experts from Japan, including Prof. Dr. Fujita Reio (Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Education of Japan), Dr. Nishino Noriko from the Southeast Asian Underground Cultural Heritage Protection Foundation, and many scientists from Japanese universities: Waseda, Osaka, Tokyo, Showa Women's University, Kansai, and Meiji.
Overview of the seminar "Vietnam - Japan Relations: Past - Present - Future" at the Nguy Nhu Kon Tum Auditorium, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
Chairperson of the Workshop Steering Committee
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, Yamada Takio, highly appreciated the significance of the conference, emphasizing: “The current Vietnam-Japan relationship can be said to be the best it has ever been. This relationship has a long historical tradition dating back to ancient and medieval times. In 1973, the two countries officially signed diplomatic documents, establishing relations between the two countries, and it has now been 50 years. This is a very important milestone, and both countries are carrying out many activities to commemorate this event. I highly appreciate the significance of today's international scientific conference, organized with close cooperation between experts from Vietnam and Japan. The conference serves as a testament to that excellent relationship and contributes to opening a new era of development in the field of research on history, culture, and education between Vietnam and Japan.”
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam Yamada Takio sent his congratulations to the Conference.
In his opening remarks at the conference, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: “Vietnam and Japan have a long history of diplomatic relations, and it has been half a century since the two countries officially signed the document establishing relations. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, today's scientific conference is organized to evaluate the research results on Vietnam by Japanese scholars and to assess the research results on Japan by Vietnamese scholars. In particular, it aims to create opportunities for young researchers, graduate students, and doctoral candidates from both countries to exchange and share research findings. The results of today's conference will contribute to promoting the development of historical science and education in both countries in the future.”
Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hoang Anh Tuan, delivered the opening speech at the conference.
In their introductory report on "Vietnamese Studies in Japan," Professors Furuta Motoo and Momoki Shiro of the Vietnam-Japan University (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) shared: From the 20th century, medieval Japanese intellectuals already possessed a certain understanding of Southeast Asia and Vietnam. Since then, Vietnamese studies have attracted the attention of Japanese researchers and achieved many results. Currently, diplomatic relations between the Vietnamese and Japanese governments are not only developing but also expanding academically into various fields, as well as conducting thorough research on the social realities of Vietnam, contributing significantly to the "equal partnership" between the two countries. However, in reality, there are still many gaps in research on transnational topics that need to be filled with information about Vietnam.
In his introductory report, Professor Momoki highlighted the results and future prospects of research on Vietnam in Japan.
"This is and will require Vietnamese academics in Japan, Japanese academics in Vietnam, as well as the field of Vietnam-Japan relations and comparative studies, to strengthen cooperation so that both sides can work together to create new and exciting opportunities for regional studies in general and Vietnamese studies in particular," Professor Momoki emphasized.
As an expert on Japanese studies in Vietnam and the diplomatic relations between the two countries, Professor Nguyen Van Kim (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) presented an overview highlighting the results of his research on Japan over the past period. It emphasizes: “The works of this generation of researchers have provided a comprehensive understanding of the history, politics, ideology, and education of Japan, which began to appear in Vietnam in the 1970s. Since the two countries officially established diplomatic relations (1973), research on Japan has gained many new favorable conditions. Research on Japan has become a nationwide trend. Along with that, centers, institutes, and faculties specializing in research and teaching about Japan have also been established, such as: the Faculty of Oriental Studies (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi); the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City; faculties and centers for Japanese studies at the Foreign Trade University, Hue University of Science, the Center for Japanese Studies, and the Institute for Northeast Asian Studies…”
In recent years, numerous interdisciplinary studies have emerged, ranging from economics and politics to environmental science and climate change, contemporary socio-cultural life, cultural policies, cultural diplomacy, Japan's soft power, and emerging religions in Japan. While there has been an increase in both the quantity and quality of research, some areas still fall short of expectations in both theoretical and applied (empirical) research. Therefore, enhanced cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese researchers is necessary to promote interdisciplinary and in-depth research.
“Today’s workshop is an opportunity for scientists from both countries to review the results of research on Japan in Vietnam and the Institute of Vietnamese Studies in Japan, but more importantly, to propose new research directions and methods to promote the development of historical science in both countries,” emphasized Professor Nguyen Van Kim.
The workshop will take place over one day with two subcommittees:
Vietnam-Japan relations in the pre-modern period; Vietnam-Japan relations in the modern period.With nearly 20 presentations from scholars from Vietnam and Japan, the event will contribute to systematizing and updating the materials and research results of Vietnamese and Japanese scholars over the years on the history of the two countries (Vietnamese studies in Japan and Japanese studies in Vietnam), thereby sharing and enhancing mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.
At this conference, scientists will also suggest new research directions, methods, and approaches to the study of history in Vietnam and Japan, thereby promoting the development of history science and education in both countries.
Some photos from the "Vietnam-Japan Relations: Past - Present - Future" seminar organized by VNU-USSH in collaboration with VJU.
