The objective of this research is to concentrate on the culture of the Madagascar region, which is positioned at a crossroads of the Indian Ocean, so as to examine the following two questions.

1. How have the diverse cultural elements brought from outside the islands coexisted, been integrated and preserved?
2. The geographical condition of a large island area has allowed the coexistence of different cultures, but how are the cultures changing in response to contemporary developments in communications and transportation?

Various local societies in Madagascar which have preserved cultural elements from multiple regions in Asia and Africa serve as non-written materials on the history of exchanges among these regions and various groups. The mission of this research is an examination of such materials by multiple specialists that should allow for the formation of an integrated view on the manner in which the culture of Madagascar has developed. In addition, to promote understanding of Madagascar affairs among people of our current era, we intend to discuss the present conditions concerning the culture of Madagascar. With the globalization of the 21st century now giving rise to global-level changes, questions remain as to if Madagascar will be able to maintain its special position as a cultural crossroads or if that position will become meaningless. Determination of the answer depends on evaluating the possibility of the contribution of Madagascar's culture to humanity as a whole.