The Asiatic Society 
of Japan

The Asiatic Society of Japan (ASJ) is Japan's oldest learned society, with its inaugural meeting in Yokohama in 1872. Inspired by the Royal Asiatic Societies of their day, ASJ's founders coordinated activities "to collect and publish information on subjects relating to Japan and other Asiatic Countries." Yet they intentionally differentiated ASJ from these affiliated societies at the outset by having established a "Society for scholarly gentlemen" rather than a society of scholars. The founders and earliest members were pillars of Japan's modernization and industrialization at the dawn of the Meiji Period. Physicians, engineers, barristers, missionaries, military officers, professors, and diplomats numbered among them, including Dr. James Hepburn, Sir Ernest Satow, Basil Hall Chamberlain, and William Aston. Today, the Society serves members of a general audience that have shared interests in Japan and the country’s myriad connections with the world.

The Young Scholars’ Program was initiated in 2006 with the support of the Society’s Honorary Patron, HIH Princess Takamado, to give researchers at doctoral level the opportunity to present their research on Japan and/or Asia and answer questions on it in English. This year, it will take place online on Tuesday, October 12.

The closing date for nominations this year is midnight on Sunday, 15 August. All nominated candidates (to be first selected by a university Professor or other nominator) should submit the following:

a) A provisional title for their presentation

b) Details of their field of research

c) A CV or brief biography

d) A formal letter of recommendation on headed note-paper from his/her academic supervisor supporting the application.*

* Candidates may submit their materials dire    ctly to The Asiatic Society of Japan, via e-mail, to info@asjapan.org. The letter of recommendation, however, should be submitted to info@asjapan.org by the academic supervisor (not the candidate).

☆ Lecture opportunity at ASJ, and Certificate of Recognition from HIH Princess Takamado, Honorary Patron of The Asiatic Society of Japan

☆ Article in The Transactions, the Society’s annual journal

Three young scholars (under age 40, of whom at least two will be Japanese) will be selected to give a presentation for 20-25 minutes each. Candidates will be notified of the selection results at the end of August.

*For further details, please e-mail the ASJ Office at info@asjapan.org, and title your e-mail “2021 Young Scholars’ Program.”