51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT hosts Japanese Studies in the Philippines Lecture Forum and Information Session, highlights Japanese culture and research collaboration 

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom, and Ivie Esteban, Maria Theresa Panzo, Dept. of English | Dec 10 2025

51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT, through the collaboration of the Department of Political Science and the Department of English, together with the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Japan Foundation, Manila, hosted the Japanese Studies in the Philippines Lecture Forum and Information Session on December 3, 2025, at the College of Engineering Amphitheater. 

Intending to bring Japanese Studies to Mindanao, the one-day event gathered together more than 100 51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT faculty and students to listen to a series of lectures and participate in forum discussions highlighting Japanese culture and other possibilities for Japanese-related studies with the Mindanao space.

Ben Suzuki, Director of The Japan Foundation, Manila, began the program by outlining the Foundation’s core priorities and areas of focus, highlighting both current and upcoming opportunities for joint academic work, cultural programs, and research collaborations between Japan and institutions in the Philippines.

Two major lectures were delivered by Dr. Karl Ian Cheng Chua, an assistant professor of the Asian Center, UP Diliman. His first talk, “Researching as a Southeast Asian Academic/ Student,” delved into the difficulties encountered by Southeast Asian scholars situated within an Anglo-American and East Asian dominant academic centers. The discussion called for more equitable Japan-Southeast Asia collaborations, stressing partnerships grounded in mutual respect to fully integrate Southeast Asian scholarship into global discourse.

Dr. Chua followed this up with a talk on pop culture, particularly the possibilities and limitations of cosplaying–one of the soft power manifestations that make up “Cool Japan.” It confronted the impediment of Muslim women in engaging in such a space, shedding light on how cultural expectations, religious considerations, and gendered dynamics shape their participation and visibility within cosplay communities.

The morning session ended with an open forum where participants had the opportunity to raise questions and engage directly with the speaker on the issues discussed. 

During lunch, Vice Chancellor for International Affairs, Dr. Joey Genevieve Martinez, along with the faculty members of the two organizing departments and other departments of the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), had a meeting with Director Suzuki, where a dialogue on the possibilities of funding and collaboration transpired. 

In the afternoon, an information session on the Asian Center of UP Diliman was held, jointly presented by Dr. Jocelyn O. Celero and Ms. Ma. Renelyn Buenaventura, who introduced the Center’s programs, research opportunities, and graduate study pathways in Asian Studies and Philippine Studies.

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