We are delighted to announce the third edition of the Asian Sound Cultures conference (ASC3), organised by the Asian Sound Cultures (ASC) project in collaboration with the Center for Integrated Japanese Studies (CIJS), Tohoku University.

Under the theme “Art meets Science, Performance meets Technology,” this year’s conference explores how sound connects artistic practice, scientific inquiry, technological experimentation, and research in the humanities. Building on previous gatherings in Tokyo and Sheffield, ASC3 in Sendai brings together scholars, sound artists, and practitioners from across Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond.

We warmly welcome you to join the conversation and shape the future of Asian sound studies together.

▶ Programme Schedule

All times are in Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9)
📄 [Download Current Programme (PDF)]
(The programme is subject to minor changes.)

DAY 1: Sound across distance: voice, body, healing, archive

(Tuesday, 1 September | Online, with on-site gathering option)

• 08:30–09:15 | Reception & Brief Welcome

• 09:15–10:30 | Session 1: Voice & Mediation

• 10:30–11:00 | Coffee Break

• 11:00–12:15 | Session 2: Sound, Embodiment & Platform Cultures

• 12:15–13:15 | Lunch Break

• 13:15–14:15 | Online Workshop: Sonic Imagination of Asia

• 14:15–15:45 | Session 3: Sound, Healing & Disciplining Bodies

• 15:45–16:15 | Coffee Break

• 16:15–17:45 | Session 4: Media Histories & Sonic Innovation in Asia

DAY 2: Sound in place: environment, text, margins, empire

(Wednesday, 2 September | In person, with remote audience access via Zoom)

• 08:00–09:00 | Registration & In-person Welcome

• 09:00–10:30 | Session 5: Sonic Histories & Colonial Mediations

• 10:30–11:30 | Introduction to Permanent Exhibition & Extended Coffee Break

• 11:30–13:00 | Session 6: Sound, Text & Literary Cultures

• 13:00–14:30 | Lunch Break

• 14:30–16:00 | Parallel Sessions (Acoustic Environments & Urban Soundscapes / Sound and Singularity)

• 16:00–16:45 | Screening and artist talk: Earth Is All Melody

• 17:15–18:45 | Evening Reception & Koto/Shamisen Performance

DAY 3: Sound at the boundaries: wellbeing, art–science, voice, memory

(Thursday, 3 September | In person, with remote audience access via Zoom)

• 08:30–09:00 | Registration / Coffee

• 09:00–10:30 | Session 8: Music, Memory & Cultural Politics

• 10:30–10:45 | Coffee Break

• 10:45–12:15 | Session 9: Sound at the Art–Science Boundary

• 12:15–13:45 | Lunch Break

• 13:45–15:15 | Parallel Sessions (Sound, Wellbeing & Pedagogy, etc.)

• 15:15–15:45 | Coffee Break

• 15:45–17:15 | Roundtable: Sound and Wellbeing in Japan: Art, Science and Lived Experience
  Chair: TBA

• 17:15–17:30 | Closing Remarks & Conference Wrap-up
   

▶ Accommodation & Practical Information

Please note: The organisers cannot assist with bookings. Please reserve directly through the hotel's website or on a platform such as Booking.com or Expedia. As early September is a busy period in Sendai, we recommend booking by mid-July.

Getting to the Venue

The Tokyo Electron House of Creativity is on Tohoku University's Katahira Campus, in central Sendai; about a 20-minute walk from JR Sendai Station, or a short subway ride (Tozai Line) plus a brief walk. The Aoba-dori Ichibancho area is the nearest city-centre hub. From Sendai Airport, take the Sendai Airport Access Line directly to JR Sendai Station (about 25 minutes).
📄 [Download Accommodation Guide (PDF)]

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Organisers & Contact:

• Lead Convenor: Iris Haukamp (Center for Integrated Japanese Studies, Tohoku University)

• Co-Convenors: Martyn David Smith (University of Sheffield), Christin Hoene (Maastricht University)

• Contact: asiansoundcultures@gmail.com