UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM IN JAPANESE LITERATURE FIB USU Holds The 2nd International Seminar 2023

“Contemporary Research on Japanese Language, Literature, and Culture”

The Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FIB USU) once again held the 2nd International Seminar 2023 with the theme “Contemporary Research on Japanese Language, Literature, and Culture”. The international seminar was held in a hybrid format on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, starting from 08.30 WIB until completion, at the T. A. Ridwan Room, FIB USU, and via the Zoom platform.

This international seminar served as a platform for sharing information about the latest research findings and various new developments in the fields of Japanese language, literature, and culture. Changes in the structure of global society in the era of globalization have also influenced the forms and methods of research in Japanese studies. Therefore, a scientific forum that brings together educators, researchers, students, and Japanese studies enthusiasts provides a space to broaden perspectives and exchange ideas.

The 2023 event was a continuation of the series of international seminars organized by the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU. Following the first international seminar in 2019 and the obstacles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the planned activities in 2020 and 2021, the seminar was held again in 2022. In 2023, the activity was once again organized under the name The 2nd International Seminar and carried the same theme, namely “Contemporary Research on Japanese Language, Literature, and Culture”.

The 2nd International Seminar 2023 featured six speakers with expertise in the fields of Japanese language, literature, and culture. Three speakers came from abroad, namely Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zoraida Mustafa from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Dr. Hồ Tố Liên from Ho Chi Minh University of Technology (HUTECH), Vietnam, and Dr. Chen Ichen from Nihon University, Japan.

Meanwhile, the speakers from Indonesia consisted of Fithyani Anwar, S.S., M.A., Ph.D. from Hasanuddin University, Adriana Hasibuan, S.S., M.Hum. from Universitas Sumatera Utara, and Rani Arfianty, S.S., M.Phil. from Universitas Sumatera Utara. The seminar was moderated by Ghaisani Adnjani CH, S.S., M.Si., a lecturer of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU.

The international seminar was attended by approximately 200 participants consisting of students, educators, researchers, and Japanese studies enthusiasts from various regions in Indonesia. The hybrid format allowed the activity to be held directly at FIB USU while also being attended by participants online via Zoom.

The activity was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara. In addition to presentations by the speakers, the seminar also served as a space for academic interaction for participants to obtain information about the latest research in the fields of Japanese language, literature, and culture.

One of the main objectives of the activity was to present the latest research findings on Japanese language and culture as a medium of communication for researchers in East and Southeast Asia. The seminar was also directed toward developing research cooperation plans between Universitas Sumatera Utara and higher education institutions in East and Southeast Asia, particularly in the fields of Japanese language and culture.

Through the involvement of speakers from Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the seminar provided a space to bring together diverse academic perspectives and strengthen international cooperation networks. The activity also demonstrated the commitment of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU to developing Japanese studies through cross-country academic relations.

In addition to serving as a forum for scientific presentations and discussions, the seminar was expected to produce approximately 20 papers describing the current realities of Japanese language, literature, and culture studies. The seminar proceedings were planned to be published in the Talenta Conference Series journal of Universitas Sumatera Utara so that the ideas and research findings presented could be documented and utilized more widely.

The 2nd International Seminar of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU in 2023 was one form of the Program's commitment to creating an open and internationally oriented academic environment. The meeting of academics, students, researchers, and Japanese studies enthusiasts provided an opportunity to share knowledge while expanding academic networks.

By presenting contemporary research on Japanese language, literature, and culture and involving speakers from various countries, the seminar was expected to continue encouraging the development of research and academic cooperation between Universitas Sumatera Utara and higher education institutions in East and Southeast Asia.