Hallym University Hosts Over 300 Participants from 8 Countries... Examining Complex Transformations in East Asia

Hallym University Successfully Hosts the 9th EACJS International Conference
“Cooperation and Coexistence Amid Global Challenges” as the Central Theme
Ahead of the 60th Anniversary of Korea-Japan Diplomatic Normalization
Strengthening the International Standing of “East Asian Japanese Studies”

Hallym University (President Choi Yanghee) hosted the 9th East Asian Consortium of Japanese Studies (EACJS) International Conference over three days from October 31 to November 2, 2025, at the university’s International Conference Hall, College of Natural Sciences, and College of Information Sciences.

Opening Ceremony of the 9th East Asia Japan Researchers Association International Conference. Provided by Hallym University

This academic conference was organized by the Hallym University Graduate School of Global Cooperation (Dean Yang Giwoong) and supported by Hallym University, the Japan Foundation, the Toshiba International Foundation, Chuncheon City, and the Korea Tourism Organization. The event brought together over 300 scholars specializing in Japanese and East Asian studies from eight countries: South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Italy, Ukraine, and Colombia.

This year’s conference, held under the theme “East Asia Amidst Multi-layered Change: Cooperation, Competition, and the Future of Coexistence in the Face of Global Challenges,” examined the complex transformations taking place across international politics, economics, culture, and society in East Asia.

The keynote lectures on the first day were delivered by Professor Isomae Junichi of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Japan), former President Seo Heungkyeong of Chinese Culture University (Taiwan), and Professor Nam Gijeong of Seoul National University’s Institute for Japanese Studies. The second day featured panel and roundtable sessions, as well as individual presentations by mid-career researchers. On the final day, sessions for next-generation researchers and a presentation on the future vision of EACJS were held.

Yang Giwoong, Dean of the Graduate School of Global Cooperation, stated, “Through this academic conference, Hallym University has strengthened its international standing as a ‘glocal university and exemplary K-university’ and expanded its collaborative network with major research institutions in East Asia.”

He added, “By providing young researchers with opportunities for international exchange, we expect to contribute to the sustainable development of the East Asian academic ecosystem. In particular, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, we hope this conference will serve as a platform for exploring the future-oriented development of Korea-Japan relations and the vision of peace and coexistence in East Asia.”

Meanwhile, the EACJS, which began with its first conference at Seoul National University’s Institute for Japanese Studies in 2016, is a leading academic network for East Asian Japanese studies, held annually in rotation among South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan. Following the 8th conference at Tamkang University in Taiwan in 2024, the 9th conference held at Hallym University this year is particularly significant as it marks the return of the central hub of East Asian Japanese studies to South Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.