On November 19, 2024, the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FIB USU), once again held the 3rd International Seminar 2024 in a hybrid format. The activity was held at the T. Amir Ridwan Multipurpose Building, FIB USU, and attended online. The seminar served as an academic forum that brought together educators, researchers, students, and Japanese studies enthusiasts to share research findings and the latest developments in the fields of Japanese language, literature, and culture.

The 3rd International Seminar 2024 was part of the efforts of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU to provide a space for exchanging knowledge and ideas in the field of Japanese studies. Changes in the structure of global society in the era of globalization have also influenced the forms and methods of research, making scientific forums that bring together academics from various countries important for broadening perspectives and building academic communication.

The activity featured five main speakers from four countries and four institutions or higher education institutions. The speakers consisted of the Consul General of Japan in Medan, a representative of the U.S. Consulate in Medan, a researcher from Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, and two speakers from Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia. The presence of these speakers provided diverse perspectives on the development of Japanese language, literature, and culture studies.

In addition to the main speakers, the seminar also involved supporting presenters consisting of undergraduate and postgraduate students, lecturers, researchers, and Japanese language, literature, and culture enthusiasts from various higher education institutions in Indonesia. A total of 12 presenters participated in the activity, with a total of 15 papers planned for publication in the online proceedings of the Talenta Conference Series of Universitas Sumatera Utara.

The 3rd International Seminar 2024 was attended by 145 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. A total of 142 participants attended in person, while three participants joined the activity online. The participation of participants from various countries demonstrated the existence of an academic interaction space that not only took place within USU but also involved cross-country academic networks.

The activity also received positive responses from participants. The satisfaction survey showed that 130 respondents, or 89.6 percent, stated that they were very satisfied, eight respondents, or 5.5 percent, stated that they were quite satisfied, and seven respondents, or 4.8 percent, gave an average rating. There were no respondents who stated that they were less satisfied or dissatisfied. Participants also considered the seminar beneficial and informative and stated that it provided insights into Japanese language, literature, and culture.

In addition to serving as a forum for exchanging research findings, the 3rd International Seminar 2024 opened opportunities for developing cooperation with various parties. The activity resulted in communication with the Consulate General of Japan in Medan and the U.S. Consulate in Medan regarding the implementation of Aotake Matsuri, which is organized annually by students of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU. In addition, plans were made to hold a public lecture by the Consul General of Japan in Medan and the U.S. Consul in Medan in 2025. Communication for developing research collaboration with Universiti Malaya was also established through the activity.

The organization of the 3rd International Seminar 2024 was one form of the commitment of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU to developing an academic atmosphere and expanding international cooperation networks in the field of Japanese studies. The involvement of speakers, presenters, lecturers, students, researchers, and Japanese studies enthusiasts provided an opportunity to introduce research findings while gaining insights into developments in Japanese language, literature, and culture studies.

As a follow-up to the activity, the papers of the main speakers and presenters were planned to be published in the online proceedings of the Talenta Conference Series of Universitas Sumatera Utara. The publication was expected to document the seminar results and expand access to the ideas and research presented during the activity.

Thus, the 3rd International Seminar 2024 not only served as a forum for sharing research findings but also as a means of strengthening academic communication and opening opportunities for collaboration between Universitas Sumatera Utara and various institutions at the national and international levels.