Japan Research Centre

The Japan Research Centre fosters a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment, home to the largest concentration of Japanese Studies scholars in the United Kingdom and Europe. Our members are engaged in cutting-edge research spanning a wide array of disciplines, including:

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Cinema, Television and Media Studies
• Drama
• Economics
• Financial and Management Studies
• History
• History of Art
• Language Acquisition and Pedagogy
• Linguistics
• Literature
• Philosophy
• Politics
• Religion
• Sociology

The Centre actively supports collaborative projects, publications, and public engagement initiatives that contribute to the advancement of Japanese Studies both within and beyond academia.

To learn more about our research activities and annual highlights, please explore the JRC Annual Review archive.

In addition to our bi-weekly seminar series, the Japan Research Centre hosts several key annual events, including the Meiji Jingu Autumn Lecture Series, the Sir Peter Parker Awards (SPPA), and the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

Recordings of past events are available on the Japan Research Centre playlist via the SOAS YouTube channel.

With the generous support of the Meiji Jingu Intercultural Research Institute and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, the Japan Research Centre offers scholarships each year to support postgraduate students pursuing research on Japan. These awards help to nurture the next generation of Japan scholars across a wide range of disciplines.

JRC members also provide active support for doctoral students applying for both internal and external research funding.

For further details on current scholarships and how to apply, please visit our awards and grants page.

Each year, the Japan Research Centre welcomes Visiting Scholars and Research Associates working in the field of Japanese studies. These scholars join us to benefit from SOAS's vibrant research culture and world-class library collections, including one of the finest Japanese-language holdings in the UK.

We are pleased to support both early-career and established researchers seeking affiliation with the Centre.

For full details on eligibility, fees, and how to apply, please visit our Honorary Appointments page.

If you would like to be added to the Japan Research Centre (JRC) mailing list, please register using our sign up form.

By joining the mailing list, you will receive updates about seminars and events organised by the JRC, as well as relevant news and opportunities from other academic institutions and networks that may be of interest.

How we handle your information

Your email address and name will be stored securely and used solely for the purpose of sending communications related to the Japan Research Centre. Access to this data is limited to designated SOAS staff responsible for managing Centre communications. We do not share your information with third parties.

You may unsubscribe from the mailing list at any time by contacting centres@soas.ac.uk, and your details will be promptly removed from our records.

For more information on how SOAS handles personal data, please see our Data Protection Policy.