"Columbia and Japan: A Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute"
2009 Columbia University Symposium in Tokyo

Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Academyhills, Roppongi Hills
Mori Tower 40 F • 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku • Tokyo, 106-6151
Tokyo, Japan

Presented by: Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture, Center on Japanese Economy and Business, The Center for Japanese Legal Studies, The Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies, The Columbia Center for Japanese Religion, and The Columbia Alumni Association

With the special support of Mori Building Co., Ltd. Academyhills

Schedule

Morning Session

9:30- 10:15 AM Registration

10:15- 10:25 AM Welcome by Professor Gregory Pflugfelder, Director of the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture, Columbia University

10:25 – 10:40 AM Remarks by Donald Keene, Columbia University Professor Emeritus and Shincho Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature, Columbia University (via video)

10:40- 10:55 AM Presentation of 2009 Donald Keene Prize for the Promotion of Japanese Culture

10:55- 11:00 AM Introduction of Panel by D. Max Moerman, Associate Professor in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures, Barnard College

11:00 – 11:30 AM Panel: “Columbia and Japan: A Bridge to the Future”

11:30 – 11:40 AM Question & Answer Session

11:40 – 11:55 AM Coffee/tea break

11:55 AM – 12:35 PM Continuation of Panel: "Columbia and Japan: A Bridge to the Future"

12:35 – 12:45 PM Question & Answer Session

Afternoon Session

1:15- 2:00 PM Registration

2:00 – 2:05 PM Welcome by Myron L. Cohen, Director, Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University

2:05 – 2:15 PM Remarks by Nicholas Dirks, Columbia University Vice President for Arts and Sciences; Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Franz Boas Professor of Anthropology; Professor of History

2:15 – 3:45 PM Panel 1: “US-Japan-China Relations”

3:45 – 4:00 PM Coffee/tea break

4:00 – 5:45 PM Panel 2: “US-Japan Relations under the Obama Administration”

Evening Session

5:45 – 7:45 PM Cocktail Reception

Morning Session

Panel: "Columbia and Japan: A Bridge to the Future"

Cultural exchange among different parts of the globe grows more conspicuous and more complex day by day. From its home in New York City and a growing number of bases internationally, Columbia University seeks to play a vital role in this process, fostering understanding and building meaningful connections across geographic and cultural borders. This session reflects on the past and present of the Columbia-Japan relationship and explores new possibilities for future partnership.

Speakers (First Half):

Takanobu Sato, President, Shincho Foundation for the Promotion of Japanese Literature
Masahiko Shimada, Writer; Professor, Hosei University
John Carpenter, Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, University of London, SOAS; 1992-1994 Shincho Fellow

Speakers (Second Half):

Gregory Pflugfelder, Director, Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture
Bernard Faure, Director, Columbia Center for Japanese Religion
Barbara Ruch, Director, Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies

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Afternoon Session

Panel One: "US-Japan-China Relations"

How do Japanese and Americans view the state of their respective relations with the PRC? Are there important differences in the way Japanese and Americans understand the implications of China's rise? What new mechanisms should be considered for fostering closer trilateral consultation and cooperation?

Speakers:

Koichi Kato, Former Secretary General of the LDP and Member of the Lower House of the Japanese Diet
Xiaobo Lü, Professor of Political Science, Barnard College; Director of the Columbia Global Center|Beijing, Columbia University
Curtis J. Milhaupt, Fuyo Professor of Japanese Law; Professor of Comparative Corporate Law; Director, Center for Japanese Legal Studies, Columbia University
Kay Shimizu, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Columbia University

Moderator:

Gerald L. Curtis, Burgess Professor of Political Science; Director, Toyota Research Program, Columbia University

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Panel Two: “US-Japan Relations under the Obama Administration”

In what ways does the approach of the Obama administration differ from its predecessor in its Japan policy? What are the key issues that confront the US-Japan alliance? What are specific ways by which that alliance can be strengthened?

Speakers:

Gerald L. Curtis, Burgess Professor of Political Science; Director, Toyota Research Program, Columbia University
Yoichi Funabashi, Editor-in-Chief, The Asahi Shimbun
Merit E. Janow, Professor, International Economic Law and International Affairs; Director, Program in International Finance and Economic Policy; Co-director, APEC Study Center, Columbia University
Hugh T. Patrick, Robert D. Calkins Professor Emeritus of International Business; Director of Center on Japanese Economy and Busniess; Co-Director, APEC Study Center, Columbia University
Heizo Takenaka, Former Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy and Professor and Director, Global Security Research Institute at Keio University

Moderator:

Carol Gluck, George Sansom Professor of History; Chair, East Asia Council; Director, Weatherhead East Asian Institute Publication Program, Columbia University

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Jiro Yoshida Japan Tour 2009
New Album "Platonic" Release Concert

6:00 p.m. Doors open
7:30 p.m. Concert

Sweet Basil, 6-7-11 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan

Featuring Jiro Yoshida, Guitar; Ben Wittman, Drums; Benisuke Sakai, Bass; Akira Ishi, Piano; With special guests Ole Mathisen, Sax and Chris Washburne, Trombone.

Price: 5000 yen

Sunday, June 7, 2009
6:15 - 8:00 PM

Gagaku Concert of Sacred Court Music

Kyu-sogakudo (in Ueno Park, Tokyo)

Featuring the Columbia Gagaku Ensemble of New York. Accompanied by Hitomi Nakamura, Takeshi Sasamoto, Mayumi Miyata, and Students and Graduates of the Kunitachi College of Music.

Price: 1,000 yen (free of charge with a ticket to the related exhibition)
For more information please click here.

Contact and Logistics: Admission is free of charge and requires advanced registration. For further information, please contact Caroline Hasegawa, Programming and Events Coordinator, at cb2469@columbia.edu, or (212) 854-6916 or Daniel Rivero, Publications and Public Relations Coordinator at dr2260@columbia.edu or (212) 854-1735.