Asian Studies Centre invites to a lecture Japan’s environmental politics since 1945, which will be delivered via Internet by Linas Didvalis, a doctoral candidate at International Christian University (Tokyo). Lecture will be held on March 28 (Wednesday) at the Seminar Room of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy (Gedimino 44, room 103), 13:00-14:30. The lecture is part of the MA course “Postwar Japan’s Society and Politics”.
This lecture is an introduction to both domestic and international Japan’s environmental politics from the late 1940s to the most recent developments. The first half of it will be a historical review of major events and the economical, political and sociological factors that caused them. This will be followed by an introduction to some important academic research and current debates on topics related to Japan’s environmental politics. Throughout the lecture a list of more detailed study sources will be provided for those students who are interested in starting their own independent research in this field.
Head of VMU Centre for Asian Studies Dr. Aurelijus Zykas was awarded a prize at the competition of young researchers for his academic research titled “Policy of country image: experiences of Japanese public diplomacy in the 21st century”. The official awarding ceremony will take place on March 27 in Lithuanian Science Academy. Lithuanian Science Academy established the competition of best academic works in 2010. Every year there are selected 4 best academic works of Lithuanian scholars and 10 works of young researchers. Among them, only two are selected in the field of Social sciences and Humanities.
On February 17-23 VMU delegation visited three academic institutions in the Republic of China (Taiwan), where they discussed the possibilities to create a joint study program in the field of East Asian studies, as well as issues of possible student and teachers exchange, collaboration in academic research. The delegation visited the following institutions: National University of Political Science (NCCU), University of Tamkang and University of Providence. 
On February 12-17 VMU delegation visited three academic institutions in the People’s Republic of China: Minzu University, Tianjin International Culture Institute and China Institute of International Studies. During the meetings VMU delegation discussed the possibilities to create a joint degree program in the field of East Asian studies, possibilities for students’ and teachers’ exchange, collaboration in academic research.
On January 8, VMU signed the exchange agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with Gifu National University in Japan. Both institutions have already started discussions about possibilities of academic and student exchange, financial support and scholarships, collaboration in joint research and other projects.
Recently German publisher LAP LAMBERT released the book “Between Dragons and Bridges: Production of Relational Knowledge about China” written by the former VMU student Daiva Repečkaitė. In her book the author explores changing images of China from post-soviet country to the world’s super power through cheap production provider.
On December 13, VMU signed the exchange agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with Akita International University (AIU) in Japan. Both institutions have already started discussions about possibilities of academic and student exchange, financial support and scholarships, collaboration in joint research and other projects.
