The UP Asian Center and the Japan Foundation Manila will hold the "Japanese Studies in the Philippines: The 8th Japanese Studies Research Development Competition” on 21 March 2026, 9:00 am to 3:00 PM (GMT+8) at the Japan Hall, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center. The event is free and open to the public.
UNDERGRADUATE CATEGORY
"The Japanese in the Local History of Abra, 1941-1945"
Borja, Mark Joseph B.
University of the Philippines Baguio
"Memories of the Japanese Occupation: The Bagobo-Klata–Japanese Relationship Before and After the Second World War"
Dapon, Merian Daphne M.
University of the Philippines Mindanao
"Nishida Kitaro’s Dialectic of Self-Negation and Hospitality in Tourism: A Comparative Analysis of Japan and Siargao, Philippines"
Jarales, Khent Bryll M.
Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology
"Discipline and Freedom: Rethinking Japanese Moral Education in Philippine Pedagogy Reform"
Perolino, Charles M.
Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology
"Salvific Soft Power: Japanese Post-war Cultural Diplomacy in the Philippines from the Establishment of the Cool Japan Project until the Second Abe Administration"
Tagarda, Bianca Ysabelle P.
University of Santo Tomas
GRADUATE CATEGORY
"Social Creativity and Digital Representation: Exploring the Negotiation of Japanese Catholic/Christian Identity on YouTube"
Adolfo, Patricia Belle J.
University of the Philippines Diliman
"Contested Frames: Japanese Wartime Newsreels and Indonesian Agency, 1942– 1945"
Atienza, John Adrianfer
University of the Philippines Diliman
"Kyōjo and Bayanihan in the News: An Ecolinguistic Exploration of Disaster Solidarity in Japan and the Philippines"
Dorias, Vincent Jhun O.
Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology
"Exploring ‘Izumi no Yu’ and the Commercialization of Japanese Bathing Culture and its Implications on Diamond Princess: An Autoethnographic Sketch"
Pamittan, Sheilla L.
University of the Philippines Diliman
"Healing Across Borders: An Ethnographic Study of Transmission and Adaptation of Reiki in the Philippines"
Untalan, Ma. Kamille M.
University of the Philippines Diliman
COMPETITION PRIZES AND PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITY
The most well-developed research papers will be judged as winners of the competition. Winners will get the latest Apple iPad and a plaque from the Japan Foundation Manila. All finalists will have the chance to publish in the Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION AND ORGANIZERS
The research competition aims to encourage Japan-related research among Filipino students, to disseminate knowledge, and exchange perspectives on Japanese Studies. It is organized by the UP Asian Center and Japan Foundation, Manila.