Professor Emeritus Kenneth B. Pyle recently wrote an essay for the National Bureau of Asian Research as part of its “The New Normal in Asia” series. The series explores ways in which the Covid-19 pandemic might shape or reorder the world across multiple dimensions. Professor Pyle writes that: We are in the thrall of driving forces.

On April 28, 2020, Artist Kota Takeuchi screened and spoke about his short film “Blind Bombing, Filmed by a Bat” (32 min., 2019), which explores how balloon bombs were created, propagandized, and used in Japan during World War II. The film addresses the uses of remote technology for military purposes and proposes contrasts and continuities between

The Japan Studies Program continues to pursue its mission to foster greater understanding of Japan and its relationship with the global community.  Spring quarter classes are being taught remotely, operations have moved online, and staff are working remotely as of March 9, 2020. For the most up-to-date information about the UW’s COVID-19 response, please consult

Professor Saadia Pekkanen was recently interviewed for the Whole U’s “Faculty Friday” column. “After twenty or thirty years, something you are interested in, you find that others may become interested in it as well. I always tell my own graduate students to never, ever go for something that others think is important. Don’t try to

Dr. Shuny Yoshimi is Professor of Sociology, Cultural Studies, and Media Studies at the University of Tokyo. He is the author of many books on cultural theory, urban culture, international expositions, media culture, information technology, the emperor system, and Americanization in modern Japan and East Asia. He spoke at the University of Washington campus in

Tomoya Kato of Tendo Mokko Furniture Manufacturers (Tendo, Japan) spoke at the University of Washington campus in Seattle on March 29, 2017. He discussed the work of Tendo Mokko in his lecture, Crafting Wood for the 21st Century. This talk was part of the Department of Architecture Spring 2017 lecture series and was sponsored by

Yumi Kori is a Japanese-born artist and architect based in New York and Tokyo. She established Studio MYU Architects in Tokyo in 1986; she is Professor at Osaka Institute of Technology, Design and Architecture. She spoke at the University of Washington campus in Seattle on February 28, 2018. Her lecture was titled “Between Art and

We recently caught up with Erisa Steckler, a second-year graduate student, to chat about her time in the JSIS Japan Studies program. Erisa graduates at the end of winter quarter 2020. Please introduce yourself. My name is Erisa and I am an M.A. student in the JSIS Japan Studies program with an interest in Japan’s

“Japan Studies at the University of Washington continues to thrive as a university-wide, interdisciplinary research and teaching collaboration to promote a deeper understanding of Japan and Japanese within a global context. Its strategic position on the Pacific Rim supports important partnerships, locally, regionally, and internationally. It is our great privilege to bring together a tremendous

Interested in studying abroad? The Study Abroad office provides many services for those interested in spending a year in Japan! Funding Direct exchanges are a great way to study abroad – and you could be eligible for a guaranteed scholarship to participate. Washington state residents receiving a Federal Pell Grant through the Office of Student Financial