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 of connections with the world.

The Young Scholars’ Programme was initiated by the Society in 2006 at the suggestion of the 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’s event will be held on Monday, 20 October. It will be held either entirely online or hybrid, so young scholars from around the world are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

The closing date for nominations this year is midnight on Monday, 18 August. All nominated candidates (to be first selected by a university professor or other nominator) should submit the following:

1. A provisional title for their presentation
2. Details of their field of research
3. A CV or brief biography
4. A formal letter of recommendation on headed notepaper from his/her academic supervisor supporting the application*

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

Award

• Certificate of Recognition from the ASJ Board and HIH Princess Takamado, the Honorary Patron of the Asiatic Society of Japan
• Research award of 50,000 yen, courtesy of the Hugh E. Wilkinson Foundation
• Article to be submitted to the Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, the Society’s annual journal

Results

A maximum of four young scholars (up to age 35, although consideration will be given to those up to age 40) will be selected to give a presentation for 20 minutes each. Candidates will be notified of the selection results at the beginning of September.

For further details, please e-mail the ASJ Office at info@asjapan.org, and title your e-mail ‘2025 Young Scholars’ Programme’