The Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FIB USU) once again held the International Seminar on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. The event, which carried the theme “Contemporary Research on Japanese Language, Literature, and Culture,” was held in a hybrid format at the T. A. Ridwan Room, FIB USU, and through the Zoom platform.

A Platform for Sharing the Latest Research Findings in Japanese Studies

This international seminar was organized as a platform for sharing information on the latest research findings and new developments in the fields of Japanese language, literature, and culture. The event brought together lecturers, researchers, students, and Japanese studies enthusiasts from Indonesia and abroad.

The 2022 event was the second international seminar held by the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU. The first international seminar was held in 2019 with the support of the Sakura Network of The Japan Foundation. Meanwhile, plans to hold the second seminar in 2020 and 2021 could not be realized due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featuring Academics and Institutional Representatives from Indonesia and Asia

The seminar featured speakers with expertise in Japanese language, literature, and culture. The participating speakers were Prof. Hamzon Situmorang, M.S., Ph.D. and Alimansyar, S.S., M.A., Ph.D. from Universitas Sumatera Utara; IIO Koji from The Japan Foundation Bangkok, Japan; Dr. Azalia Zaharuddin from University Sains Islam Malaysia; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Watchara Suyara from Khon Kaen University, Thailand. The seminar was moderated by Irwan, S.S., M.Si., a lecturer of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU.

The event was also attended by Mr. Asano Shunya, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Medan, and Mr. Suzuki Yushi, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Medan. The presence of the Japanese representatives further strengthened the international atmosphere of the event as well as academic and institutional relations between Indonesia and Japan.

Attended by Approximately 300 Participants

The seminar was attended by approximately 300 participants consisting of students, lecturers, researchers, and Japanese studies enthusiasts from various regions in Indonesia. In addition to participating in the main sessions online, several participants, presenters, and committee members also attended the event in person at FIB USU.

The hybrid format allowed the event to reach a wider range of participants while providing opportunities for speakers from outside Indonesia to participate. Interaction between participants and speakers was part of the exchange of knowledge regarding developments in contemporary Japanese language, literature, and culture studies.

Encouraging Research Collaboration and the Development of Japanese Studies

In addition to serving as a platform for presenting the latest research findings, the seminar was expected to encourage research collaboration between Universitas Sumatera Utara and universities in East and Southeast Asia, particularly in the fields of Japanese language and culture. The seminar was also expected to expand academic networks and open opportunities for collaboration among lecturers, students, researchers, and Japanese studies enthusiasts.

The event also served as part of the efforts of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU to strengthen its academic presence and international networks. Through a scientific forum that brought together various perspectives from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand, the seminar provided a space for exchanging ideas on the dynamics of contemporary research in Japanese language, literature, and culture.

Program Commitment to the Development of Academic Activities

The 2022 International Seminar of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature was one form of the Program's commitment to organizing open, collaborative, and internationally oriented academic activities. With the involvement of various academics and Japanese studies enthusiasts, the event was expected to provide new insights for participants while serving as a foundation for the development of cooperation and academic activities in the future.