Contemporary Japan: Changing U.S.-Japan Relations & Changing Japanese Way of Life 

Saturday, December 6
9:00AM -12:00PM  EST 

Join us for an online discussion on contemporary Japan!

This session will provide a deep and insightful exploration of the evolving U.S.-Japan relationship, delving into the countries’ intertwined histories from postwar to the present. This talk will focus on how the recent change of the Japanese prime minister affects the US-Japan relationship, how Japan sees current changing U.S. policies, and how Japan responds to changes in global politics and economy. Participants will engage in a forward-looking analysis of how changing U.S. foreign policy may shape or impact Japan and the future of this vital partnership. 

In the later session, Prof. Jennifer Robertson will explore the fusion of religion and technology which has deep historical roots across the world’s cultures, including Japan. Following a brief review of several ancient religious technologies, she will highlight innovative uses today in temples and shrines (and churches) of hi-tech devices, including robots, websites, YouTube channels and other forms of social media. Technological devices and applications bridge the conceptual gap between science and religion, and between today’s hi-tech secularized world and more spiritual and ethereal realms. 

This program’s content is designed for K-12 educators, but college students, instructors, and the general public are also welcome to join this topical lecture


Speaker Bios: 

Dr. Kaoru Iokibe, Professor, Graduate Schools of Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo

Dr. Jennifer Robertson, Professor Emerita, Departments of Anthropology and the History of Art, Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, and Robotics Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Affiliate Professor, Tokyo College, University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS).

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Japan Society’s Professional Development Programs are made possible by a generous grant from an Anonymous Donor.

Education and Family Programs are generously supported by an anonymous donor; an anonymous Family Foundation donors; Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas); ORIX Corporation USA; The Masako Mera and Koichi Mera, PhD Fund for Education and the Arts; The Norinchukin Foundation; Satoru and Hiroko Murase; Susan J. Onuma; and other Education and Family supporters.

Japan Society arts and culture programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).