:: Japan

The Japan Program was put in place to stimulate exchanges about the great questions of civilization (philosophy, ethics, ways of life, environment, etc.).  For the year 2007, the focus was to address questions about the relationship to natural milieus as well as studies on the functions of text. 
The essential components of activities in 2007 were the following:

- collaboration with the National Museum of Ethnology (Osaka).  Since its creation in 1977, it has been Japan’s main hub for carrying out research in ethnology and anthropology through joint research programs
A pluridisciplinary discussion was engaged on the functions of text (coord., M.A. Saito – invitations to Y. Yamanaka (3 months), M ; Kishinaga (1 month), M.A. Sato (3 months) – in the framework of a research agreement with Osaka’s National Museum of Ethnology (MNEJ) signed in December 2004 at the FMSH in Paris.

- collaboration with the Research Institute on Humanity and Nature (Kyoto) devoted to the relationship between the environment, diet, and public health in order help stimulate general discussion about the interactions between Man and his environment.

- invitations to researchers from the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature: M. T. Akimichi (1 week) M. Y. Saito (1 week), in the framework of the research agreement with the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) (Kyoto) signed in June 2006 at the FMSH in Paris

We must also mention the research agreement with the University of Foreign Studies (Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa) (Tokyo), May 2005, Paris, FMSH.

Several colloquiums and round tables were held:
- round table (FMSH-MNEJ), Tools of thought, Comparative study of “texts” and their social functions, Paris (FMSH), 29 May 2007 (with the participation of R. Chartier, S. Gruzinski, etc.).   

- thematic workshop, Diet and environment – Rice and Rice Paddies, 3rd Congress of the Asia Network, Paris, 27 September 2007
(French participants: G. Condominas, P. Legendre, J. Cobbi)

- round table (FMSH-RIHN),   Environment and Diet: Rice Growing, Paris (FMSH), 1 October 2007)
(French participants: G. Condominas, Y. Abe, Mme C. Hoare, J. Cobbi)

In addition, the program participated in the colloquium on Franco-Japanese economy organized by P. Fridenson,  EHESS-Maison Suger.

In the activities we are developing, our partners include:
in France
National Museum of Natural History (Paris),
University of Paris IV-Sorbonne
Asia Network (FMSH / CNRS)
Japanese Embassy in France
in Japan
National Museum of Ethnology (Osaka)
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (Kyoto)
University of Kyoto
French Embassy in Japan

Regarding publishing activity, several publications based on events held in 2007 are being prepared, mainly by the FMSH’s publishing house.
 
Scientific coordinator: Jane Cobbi