Japanese Studies Centre, Monash University

Australia, Japan and Regional Security in the Age of Global Terror
26 - 27 February 2004

Overview of project:
Despite residual strong anti-Japanese sentiments following on the negative experiences of the Pacific War, since the 1970s, Australia has developed and maintained a very high level of interest in Japan. This is reflected not only in the growth of trade, tourism, investment and grassroots exchange of people, but also in the growth of the teaching of Japanese language and Japanese studies in Australian educational institutions. Recent bilateral dialogue has reaffirmed the strength of the relationship, and a number of initiatives for creative partnership. Against the background of 9/11 and the ensuing US-led 'War on Terror ', a call for both countries to strengthen bilateral relations in the area of [regional] security - a relatively underexplored aspect of Australia-Japan relations - has assumed a new importance among these initiatives. This security dialogue addresses region-wide issues (eg the US role in the region); sub-regional issues (eg East Timor, Korean Peninsula) and transnational issues (eg international crime and the threat to benign global movements, food security). The aim of the symposium is to examine cooperative activity between Japan and Australia in the context of Asia-Pacific security, and to identify further potential areas of collaboration.

The project involves two major events which are free of charge (Registration essential)

(1) Thursday 26 February 2004

Sidney Myer Asia Centre Public Lecture
6.30 pm, Sidney Myer Asia Centre
Special Guest Speaker: Mr Yasushi Akashi, former Undersecretary-General of the United Nations

(2) Friday 27 February 2004

One-day symposium at Monash University

The symposium will feature a keynote address and 6 invited papers.

Abstracts:
The organising committee now invites proposals for papers addressing the above issues. Expressions of interest in contributing a paper should be accompanied by a 1000 word abstract, on the basis of which full papers will be requested. This invitation is not limited to the invited panel speakers.

Abstracts should be submitted to the Secretariat via email (japanese.studies.centre@arts.monash.edu.au) by Friday 20 February 2004 for inclusion in the symposium program.

Outcomes
A volume of papers is planned for submission to a commercial publisher after the symposium.

For more information, see the symposium homepage:
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/jsc/conference