The research activities of the Centre started in 2004. Initially it consisted mainly of Japanese studies, but since 2008 Korean studies and Chinese studies were gradually introduced, the research spectrum of the Centre was expanded. Main topics of Centre’s researchers are concentrated on cultural and political processes in East Asia.
Centre’s umbrella research theme is the image/representation of East Asian countries in Europe. Due to this, we are particularly interested in Japanese and Korean popular cultures, contributing much for building the images of these countries in the post Cold War world.
Concentrated on this main research line, the Centre is initiating research projects, aiming at creation of the international research networks, organizing annual conferences/symposiums and publishing research results. Since 2007 Centre’s projects are supported by Toshiba International Foundation, Japan Foundation and Suntory Foundation.
Centre’s research/study projects:
Spotlight Taiwan
Sponsor: Ministry of Culture of Taiwan
Duration: April 2023 – November 2023.
Result: a cycle of events, including lectures, exhibitions, concerts, and international academic conference “Challenging relations with(in) East Asia”
A Century of Connections: Historical ties Between the Baltic and East Asia Regions
Sponsor: Japan Foundation
Duration: April 2021 – March 2022.
Result: International Conference
History of Lithuania – Japan relations
Main coordinator: Dr. Aurelijus Zykas (Azija LT)
Sponsor: Toshiba International Foundation
Duration: April 2021 – March 2022.
Result: Website ritoja.lt
4th BAAS Conference
Sponsor: Japan Foundation, Toshiba International Foundation, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Lithuania
Duration: April 2019 – March 2020.
Result: International Conference
International EAJRS Conference “(G)localizing Japanese studies resources”
Sponsor: Japan Foundation, Toshiba International Foundation
Duration: April 2018 – March 2019.
Result: International Conference
Expansion of Japanese-Lithuanian dectionary
Spoonsor: Japan Foundation
Duration: April 2018 – March 2019
Result: website jishokun.lt
Civil Society in East Asian Countries: Contributions to Democracy, Peace and sustainable Development
Sponsor: Japan Foundation, Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia
Duration: April 2017-March 2018
Result: International Conference, publication
Creation of the Documentary “Kaunas, the City of Sugihara and Japan”
Sponsor: Toshiba International Foundation
Duration: April 2017-March 2018
Result: Documentary
Travel and Mutual Understanding: East Asia, Europe and beyond
Sponsor: Vytautas Magnus University
Duration: October 2016-October 2017
Result: International Conference
Expansion of website for self-learning Japanese in Lithuanian
Sponsor: Japan Foundation
Duration: May 2016-March 2017
Result: website japonukalba.vdu.lt
Unconventional security challenges in East Asia
Sponsor: Vytautas Magnus University
Duration: November 2015 – April 2016
Result: Presentations at the Conference
Creation of website for Japanese-Lithuanian dictionary
Sponsor: Japan Foundation
Duration: April 2015-March 2016
Result: website nihongo.vdu.lt
The most prospective cooperation areas for Lithuania’s involvement in EU-ASEAN Dialogue
Sponsor: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
Duration: April-July 2015
Result: Report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Shifting Inter-Regional Balance: EU-Asia Economic Cooperation
Sponsor: Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia
Duration: January-December 2015
Result: International conference
Christian world and East Asian Traditions: Symbols, Concepts, Practices
Sponsor: Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia
Duration: January-December 2014;
Result: International Conference
Chinese/Taiwanese studies in Baltic States
Sponsor: Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia
Duration: January-December 2013
Result: International conference
Study on representation of Japanese contemporary popular culture in Europe
Sponsor: Japan Foundation
Duration: March 2012 – March 2013
Result: International conference
Comparative Research of the Reception of Japanese and Korean Popular Culture in Europe (joint research and publication)
Sponsor: Suntory Foundation
Duration: August 2011-July 2012
Result: Publication “Reception of Japanese and Korean Popular Culture in Europe” (2)
Website for self-learning Japanese language in Lithuanian
Sponsor: Japan Foundation
Duration: March 2011-March 2012
Result: website japonukalba.vdu.lt
Japan in the West: a Comparative Analysis (joint research and publication)
Sponsor: Japan Foundation, Ref. No. 23RC-E8001
Duration: March 2011-March 2012
Results: “Regioninės studijos (6)
Japanology within Asian Studies in Lithuania: Historical Perspective and Present Situation (Symposium)
Sponsor: Japan Foundation, Ref. No. 23RIE-RC-E11021
Duration: May 2011-December 2011
Results: Homepage “Asian Studies in Lithuania”, The Fifth international conference; Publication “East Asian Studies in Lithuania”
Reception of Japanese and Korean Popular Culture in Europe (joint research and publication)
Sponsor: Suntory Foundation
Duration: August 2010-July 2011
Result: Publication
Representation of Japan in European Medias. Comparison with the Korean Case (joint research and publication)
Sponsor: Japan Foundation
Duration: June 2010-May 2011
Result: International conference; Publication
Japan as Images: Crossing Viewpoints of Europe and Japan
Sponsor: Japan Foundation
Duration: April 2009-March 2010
Result: International conference; “Regioninės studijos (4)
Contemporary Japan from European Perspective
Sponsor: Toshiba International Foundation
Duration: April 2008-March 2009
Result: “Regioninės studijos (3)
Image of Japan in Europe
Sponsor: Toshiba International Foundation
Duration: April 2007-March 2008
Result: International conference; Publication
Besides, the Centre for Asian Studies also conducts educational, publication support and library expansion projects.