Opening of the International Scientific Conference: “Vietnam – Japan Relations: Past - Present

On the morning of November 3, 2023, at the Nguy Nhu Kon Tum Hall of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-USSH) in collaboration with the Vietnam - Japan University under Vietnam National University, Hanoi jointly organized the international scientific conference "Vietnam - Japan Relations: Past - Present - Future". The event is part of a series of practical activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Japan friendship.

Opening of the International Scientific Conference: "Vietnam - Japan Relations: Past - Present - Future".

Attending the workshop, on the side of Hanoi National University, there were Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (Chairman of the Science and Training Council), Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo, Prof. Dr. Momoki Shiro (Vietnam-Japan University) and many researchers and lecturers from universities and research institutes: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam-Japan University; Ha Long University, Japan International University, Thang Long University, Institute of Han-Nom Studies, Vietnam Institute of Archaeology, Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies, Institute of History, etc.

The workshop also attracted the participation of many experts from Japan: Prof. Dr. Fujita Reio (Cultural Affairs Department, Ministry of Education of Japan), Dr. Nishino Noriko, Southeast Asia Underground Cultural Heritage Protection Fund, and many scientists from Japanese universities: Waseda, Osaka Tokyo, Showa University, Kansai University, Meiji University...

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam YAMADA Takio sent his congratulations to the Workshop.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam YAMADA Takio highly appreciated the significance of the Conference, and emphasized: “The current Vietnam-Japan relationship can be said to be the best ever. That relationship has a long historical tradition since the Middle Ages. And in 1973, the two countries officially signed a diplomatic document, establishing the relationship between the two countries, which has now been 50 years. This is a very important milestone, both countries have carried out many activities to celebrate this event. I highly appreciate the significance of today's International Scientific Conference, which was organized with close coordination between experts from Vietnam and Japan. The Conference was organized as a testament to that good relationship, and at the same time contributed to opening a new period of development in the field of research on history, culture and educational activities between Vietnam and Japan.

President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities Hoang Anh Tuan delivered the opening speech at the Conference

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: “Vietnam and Japan have a long history of diplomatic relations and it has been half a century since the two countries officially signed the document establishing relations. In the series of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary, today's scientific conference is organized to evaluate the results of Vietnamese research by Japanese scholars and evaluate the results of Japanese research by Vietnamese scholars. In particular, it aims to create opportunities for young researchers, graduate students and postgraduates of the two countries to exchange and share research results. The results of today's conference will contribute to promoting the development of science and historical education in the two countries in the coming time."

In the introductory report with the topic "Vietnam Studies in Japan", Prof. Dr. Furuta Motoo - Prof. Dr. Momoki Shiro, Vietnam Japan University (VNU) shared: Since the 20th century, Japanese medieval intellectuals have had certain understanding of Southeast Asia and Vietnam. Since then, Vietnam Studies has attracted the attention of Japanese researchers and achieved many results. Currently, the diplomatic relations between the two governments of Vietnam and Japan have not only grown but also developed. In the academic world, the expansion of research into different fields as well as realistic research on the social situation of Vietnam have contributed significantly to the "equal partnership" relationship between the two countries. However, in reality, there are still many gaps in research on supranational topics that need to be filled with information about Vietnam.

In his introductory report, Professor Momoki highlighted the results and future prospects in research on Vietnam in Japan.

“That is and will require Vietnamese studies scholars in Japan, Japanese studies scholars in Vietnam, as well as the Vietnam-Japan relationship and comparative research fields to promote cooperation so that the two sides can work together to create new attractiveness for the field of area studies in general and Vietnam studies in particular,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Momoki.

As an expert in Japan research in Vietnam as well as the diplomatic relations between the two countries, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) gave an overview report highlighting the results of research on Japan in recent times. He emphasized: “The works of this generation of researchers have provided an overview of the history, politics, ideology and education of Japan that began to appear in Vietnam in the 70s of the 20th century. Since the two countries officially established diplomatic relations (1973), research on Japan has had many new favorable conditions. Research on Japan has become a trend on a national scale. Along with that, Centers, Institutes and Faculties specializing in research and teaching on Japan have also been established such as: Faculty of Oriental Studies (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi); Faculty of Oriental Studies, VNU Ho Chi Minh City; faculties, Japanese training centers at Foreign Trade University, Hue University of Sciences, Center for Japanese Studies and Northeast Asian Research Institute... In recent years, many interdisciplinary studies have appeared from economics, politics to ecological environment and climate change, contemporary cultural and social life, research on cultural policies, cultural diplomacy, soft power of Japan, new religions in Japan,... Although there has been an increase in the quantity and quality of research, there are still areas that have not achieved the expected results with both types of research: Theoretical research and Applied (empirical) research. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese researchers to promote interdisciplinary and in-depth research.

The conference will be held in one day with two sub-committees: Vietnam-Japan relations in the pre-modern period; Vietnam-Japan relations in the modern period with nearly 20 reports by scholars from Vietnam and Japan. Through in-depth and elaborate research by domestic and foreign researchers, it will contribute to systematizing and updating documents and research results over many years by Vietnamese and Japanese scholars on the history of the two countries (Vietnam studies in Japan and Japan studies in Vietnam), thereby sharing and enhancing mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

Also at this conference, scientists will suggest new research directions, new research methods and thinking in the field of History in Vietnam and Japan, thereby promoting the development of science and historical education in the two countries.

Some photos at the Workshop "Vietnam - Japan Relations: Past - Present - Future" organized by VNU-USSH in collaboration with VJU