Related Activities

The Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC): SISJAC was founded in January 1999 through the generosity of Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury. It is an independent entity affiliated with the University of East Anglia in association with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London . SISJAC aims to create a network of alliances that bring together the best research and researchers without institutional or national barriers. SISJACs two core activities are: 1) Engaging international scholars, postgraduate students and staff in a collaborative and active research network; and 2) Disseminating the results of these researchers through special projects, symposia, publications and various other media.

The staff at SISJAC are as follows:

Director: Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere

Assistant Director: Simon Kaner;

Senior Research Associate: Timon Screech, Senior Lecturer, History of Japanese Art, SOAS

Senior Research Associates (London): John T. Carpenter, Donald Keene Lecturer in Japanese Art, SOAS;

Administrator: Hiromi Uchida;

Office Co-ordinator: Hannah Brown.

For further information contact:
Sainsbury Institute
64 The Close, Norwich NR1 4DW
Tel: 01603 624349
E-mail: sisjac@uea.ac.uk
Website: www.sainsbury-institute.org/

Future Developments

In 1996/1997 at postgraduate level, the School of Economic and Social Studies established an MA in International Relations and Asia Pacific Studies which includes a unit concerning Japan's external relations in the modern era. In 1996/1997 at undergraduate level, a Japanese Studies Minor was under consideration but there have been no further developments. In 1996/1997, UEA's School of World Art Studies established a new postgraduate unit, which considers art and cultural identity in India , Tibet and Japan , but this was suspended in 2001/2002.

Problems

The most significant problem at UEA is that there are not sufficient resources for very small group Japanese language teaching. Also, it is difficult to find exchange students from UEA to Gakushuin in view of the high costs; more students from Gakushuin wish to attend UEA than vice versa.