About the JSC
The Japanese Studies Centre has been coordinating and enhancing the development of Japanese studies in Victoria since 1981. A full description of the history of the Centre can be found here.
The Japanese Studies Centre is governed by Board Members who represent several Melbourne universities engaged in research on Japan and teaching the Japanese language.
The mission of the Japanese Studies Centre is to enhance international cultural exchange and goodwill between Australia and Japan, and to support the field of academic study and education.
In 1989 the Japanese Studies Centre became one of the affiliated centres of the Monash Asia Institute.
The principal activity of the Japanese Studies Centre is to conduct and facilitate research on Japan. As part of the Monash Asia Institute's new Research Unit on Cultures and Technologies in Asia (RUCTA), the Centre is looking at the theme of The Impact of the Internet in Asia, and Internet Culture in Japan and elsewhere. Recently a Japanese-style manga-library was launched; it will form the basis of a research project concerning the consumption and reception of Japanese popular culture in Australia.
Activities of the Centre include:
- a program of research seminars and lectures
- publishing papers on Japanese studies
- hosting visiting researchers from Japan
- housing a Japanese Manga-Library
- housing and working with the Japan Language Teachers' Association of Victoria and the Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education
- supporting the Japanese Music Archive for the teaching and practice of Japanese music
Board Members
Monash University
Professor Ross Mouer
Associate Professor Alison Tokita
Associate Professor Jim Breen
Ms Jun Yano
Dr Beatrice Trefalt
University of Melbourne
Professor Vera Mackie
Dr Peter Eckersall
Dr Charles Schencking
La Trobe University
Associate Professor Kaori Okano
Swinburne University
Dr Theresa Savige
Unaffiliated
Dr Alina Skoutarides