The National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) is a research center for ethnology and cultural anthropology.

Center for International Academic Exchange

The Center for International Academic Exchange was established in April, 2010, with the aim of facilitating international exchange between academic organizations. Minpaku has, since its founding, brought a global vision to active engagement in research and museum-related activities in cooperation with overseas researchers and institutions. Our aim has been to be a pioneer among the members of the Inter-University Research Institutes in promoting international academic exchange. In most cases, however, academic exchange has depended on the initiative and connections of individual researchers. Strategic, organizational tie-ups lagged behind.

The IT revolution that began in the late 20th century has hugely accelerated the speed of information flow across national borders. As a result, Minpaku’s international activities have now reached a stage where remaining dependent on the initiative and connections of individual researchers is no longer possible. We now need to develop international exchange on an organizational and strategic level. The Center for International Academic Exchange is taking full advantage of our previous achievements in international academic exchange and the collegial networks built up by our researchers to promote exchange and joint research projects with partner institutions around the world.

Organization

Director
KISHIGAMI Nobuhiro
INTOH Michiko
KIKUSAWA Ritsuko
Matthews, Peter Joseph
SAITO Akira
YAMANAKA Yuriko
YOKOYAMA Hiroko

Activities

Strategic initiatives to promote international academic exchange
  • Development of guidelines for academic exchange
  • Investigation of possible arrangements for international joint research
  • Investigation of working with overseas publishers to publish research results in languages other than Japanese
  • Investigating the possibility of recruiting scholars internationally
Promotion of joint research based on formal academic cooperation agreements
  • Support for preparation of academic cooperation agreements
  • Support for joint research based on such agreements
  • Reception and evaluation of annual plans and research reports based on such agreements
  • Support for other international symposiums, international joint research projects, and joint exhibition projects
  • Responses to queries and requests for agreements received from overseas sources
Support for overseas visiting fellows
  • Support for visiting research fellows, cooperating researchers involved in core research projects, and visiting researchers
  • Production and revision of the overseas visiting fellows’ manual to enable full use of Minpaku resources (Guide for Visitors)
  • Translation of communications and notices to Minpaku staff
Other activities related to international academic exchange
  • Editorial supervision of publicity related to international academic exchange
  • Editorial supervision of National Museum of Ethnology: Survey and Guide, English used on the Minpaku home page, and the Minpaku Anthropology Newsletter
  • Arrangement and supervision of publication exchanges with overseas institutions
  • Editorial supervision for Directory of Minpaku Fellows
Compilation of materials for assessment of international academic exchanges
  • Reports of research results and self-evaluations of participants in international academic exchanges