On March 19 and 20, 2026, the Center for Integrated Japanese Studies (CIJS) at Tohoku University held the workshop "Japanese Studies in Japan and Belgium" at Ghent University, Belgium. the event was co-organized with the Ghent University Institute for Japanese Studies. Ghent University is well-known as one of Europe's leading hubs for Japanese Studies, and a wide range of academic exchanges have been conducted with Tohoku University through the Hasekura League network.

    On the first day of the workshop, following an introduction to CIJS activities by Director Hiroaki Adachi, annual reports were presented for all 11 ongoing collaborative research projects within the center. Many local students majoring in Japanese Studies attended the sessions, providing an opportunity to witness the high level of international interest and diversity in the field. Through Q&A sessions, coffee breaks, and a reception, members from both universities deepened their interactions, making it a valuable time for building further cooperative relationships as core institutions for Japanese Studies.

    Throughout both days, presentations were delivered by faculty members from both CIJS and the Ghent University Institute for Japanese Studies. These sessions led to vibrant, interdisciplinary discussions covering various research themes, methodologies, perspectives, and future outlooks. From Ghent University, Professor Andreas Niehaus, President of the EAJS (European Association for Japanese Studies), also joined as a speaker. The workshop was streamed online to EAJS members worldwide, providing a significant opportunity to share the activities of both universities with Japanese Studies researchers across Europe.