International Conference on “Historical, cultural and social issues through the Vietnam-Japan exchanges”

To mark 40 years of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relationship, the Institute for Northeast Asian Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), in collaboration with the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken), held the two-day international conference on “Historical, cultural and social issues through the Vietnam-Japan exchanges” on 13-14 November 2013 in Hanoi.

The conference received the attendance of His Excellency Yukio Saita, Counsellor, the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, and the staff; Prof. Kazuhiko Komatsu, Director of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies; Mr. Kazumi Inami, Director of Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, and the staff; the representative of JICA office at VASS; and scholars from the International Center for Japanese Studies, Ibaraki University, and Kanto Academy.

Vietnamese delegates included Prof.Dr. Nguyen Quang Thuan, Deputy President of VASS, Dr. Tran Quang Minh, Director of the Institute for Northeast Asian Studies; and representatives of the leaderships of International Cooperation Department and Scientific Management Department, and research staff from the research institutes of VASS; scholars from Da Nang Institute for Socio-economic Development, Hanoi University, University of Languages and International Studies, Foreign Trade University​, Thang Long University, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Hanoi National University) and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City.

As stated in the opening speech by Prof.Dr. Nguyen Quang Thuan, Deputy President of VASS, Vietnam and Japan were culturally influenced by the Eastern culture. The two countries enjoyed the similarities in customs, traditions, and religious beliefs. As early as in the 16th century, the Japanese started trading activities at Hoi An port in Quang Nam province, which since then became the biggest “Japanese town” in Vietnam and the center of Japan-Southeast Asia trade relationship. The Vietnam-Japan relation has been increasingly strengthened and developed over the time. The remarkable event was when the two countries officially established the diplomatic relations on 21 September 1973.

After forty years with many happenings and changes in each country, as well as in the region and the world, Vietnam and Japan have developed into strategic partners and the level of the bilateral relations has been also upgraded. The areas of cooperation between the two countries have been more and more deepened and comprehensive, not only limited to economic issues but others of great potential as well.

The conference welcome speech was delivered by His Excellency Yukio Saita, Counsellor, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam and Prof. Kazuhiko Komatsu, Director of the International Research Centre for Japanese Studies.

The conference comprised four sessions: Session 1 – Ancient, medieval and contemporary history and Vietnam-Japan exchanges in the history was co-chaired by Dr. Tran Quang Minh, Director of the Institute for Northeast Asian Studies and Prof. Kazuhiro Kuramoto, International Research Center for Japanese Studies. There were five papers represented in this session, including “Some documents on Vietnam-Japan relations in the history” (Prof. Chuong Thau, VASS), “The situation in East Asia in the 13th century and Goryeo, Japan and Vietnam” (Prof. Enomoto Wataru, International Research Center for Japanese Studies), “Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations through old bibliographies” (Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Oanh, Institute of Han-Nom Studies, VASS); “The legendary indication of Abe no Nakamaro’s submission to the Vietnamese Reigns” (Prof. Hiroshi Araki, International Research Center for Japanese Studies),  and “Japan-Cochinchine relationship in the 16th-17th centuries through historical documents and artifacts preserved in Japan” (Dr. Tran Duc Anh Son, Da Nang Institute for Socio-economic Development).

Session 2 – Social transformation of East Asian countries in early contemporary period co-chaired by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Oanh and Prof. Liu Jianhui presented five papers: “Vietnam and the Great East Asian Commonwealth” (Prof. Tobe Ryoichi, International Research Center for Japanese Studies); “Civilization in the contemporary history of Vietnam and Japan – A comparison of civilization views of Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901) and Phan Boi Chau (1867-1940)” (Dr. Pham Thi Thu Giang, University of social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University); “Reflecting on the history of the Japanese archipelago architecture from the Southeast Asian architecture” (Prof. Inoue Shoichi, International Research Center for Japanese Studies); “Japanese ceramics in the Thang Long Royal Palace” (Dr. Bui minh Tri, Center for Royal Citadel Studies, VASS); and “From the Dong Yu movement to the Tonkin Free School – the heart lied in the Book of Modern Education on Civilization” (Prof. Hashimoto Kazutaka, Kanto Gakuin University, Japan).

Session 3 – Entertaining culture of the young Japanese people, Anime, Japanese gardens, chanoyu – Comparison of Vietnam and Japan cultures was chaired by Dr. Tran Duc Anh Son and Prof. Shirahata Yozaburo.  There were five papers: “Japan study through manga (comics) and anime (Japanese animation) (Prof. Yamada Shoji, International Research Center for Japanese Studies); “Study of the black-teeth cultures: The cases of Vietnam and Japan” (Dr. Phan Hai Linh, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University); “Changes of the acting in the historical movies: before and after the work of Kurosawa” (Prof. Kitaura Hiroyuki, International Research Center for Japanese Studies); “Nature and the Japanese and Zen aesthetics in Japanese gardens” (Dr. Ho Hoang Hoa, Vietnam-Japan Center for Social Science Exchanges and Cooperation); and “A comparative study of the one-year birthday ceremony in Vietnam and Japan” (Dr. Nguyen Thu Huong, University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh city).

Session 4 – Japanese Studies: Other Issues co-chaired by Dr. Ho Hoang Hoa and Prof. Liu Jianhui had five representations: “The “Charm” [Duyen] in social psychology” (Prof. Ito Tetsuji, Ibaraki University, Japan); “The perception of the Vietnam intellectual of Japanese modernization in the late 19th century and early 20th century” (Dr. Nguyen Tien Luc, University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City); “New religious phenomenon in Japan and Vietnam – the similarities and differences” (Assoc. Prof. Pham Hong Thai, Institute for Northeast Asian Studies, VASS); “Eating and drinking culture of Japan and Vietnam: customs and changes” (Dr. Hoang Minh Loi, Institute for Northeast Asian Studies, VASS); “Strategy of demand rejection of Vietnamese and Japanese students and social and cultural characteristics” (MA. Ngo Lan Huong, Institute for Northeast Asian Studies, VASS).

The conference was an opportunity to review the history and the development of the two countries’ relationship culturally and socially. The achievements of this relationship were attributable to the efforts from the both sides as well as the confidence and responsibility to further the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries. It was hoped to contribute better and more effectively to the prosperity of each country, creating an atmosphere of peace-cooperation-development in the region and the world, and enhancing mutual trust between the government and people of Vietnam and Japan. 

Nguyen Thu Ha