The NEXT AJJ Conference is May 23–24th, 2026 at Akita University.
Past Workshops & Conferences:
2026 Akita University CFP Registration
May 23–24
Theme: Entanglements and Embodiments: Anthropology, Ethnography and Sensing Japan
Keynote Speaker: Nakamaki Hirochika
Organizer(s):Paul Hansen, Kaeko Chiba, Hisako Omori, and John Mock
2025 University of Hyogo CFP Schedule & Abstracts
April 4–6 *JAWS/AJJ joint conference
Keynote Speakers: Sakamoto Mayumi, Joy Hendry
Organizer(s): Carmen Tamas
2024 Tohoku University CFP Schedule & Abstracts
Nov 30–Dec 1
Keynote Speakers: Numazaki Ichirō
Organizer(s): Alyne Delaney
2023 Meiji Gakuin University Shirokane Campus CFP
Dec 5–6
Theme: Becalmed, adrift or slowly sinking? Life aboard the listing Japanese ship of state
Keynote Speakers: John McCreery
Organizer(s): Tom Gill
2022 Kyoto University Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies CFP Program (PDF)
Dec 3–4
Theme: Wellbeing in Contemporary Japan: Embodying Techniques, Skills, and Environments
Organizer(s): Andrea de Antoni
2021 Akita International University (online)
Dec 3–5
Theme: Crisis Anthropology
Organizer(s): Kaeko Chiba, Hisako Omori, Ben Grafström
2020 Temple University, Japan Campus (online) Schedule Program
Dec 5–6
Keynote Speaker: David Sprague
Organizer(s): Kaeko Chiba, Sachiko Horiguchi, John Mock, and Andreas Riessland
2019 Meiji Gakuin University, Yokohama Campus
Nov 30–Dec 1
Keynote Speaker: Nakamura Tsuyoshi
Organizer(s): Tom Gill
2018 (autumn) Nanzan University CFP Abstracts
Dec 8–9
2018 (spring) Meiji University, Surugadai Campus CFP
April 20–21
2017 Dōshisha University CFP Poster (PDF) Schedule (PDF) Abstracts
Dec 9–10 *20th Annual Meeting
Organizer: David Uva
2016 (autumn) Osaka Gakuin University
Sept 24–25 *JAWS/EAJS joint conference
Organizer: Michael Shackleton
2016 (spring ) Tōhoku University Schedule and Abstracts
Apr 23–24
Organizer: Ichiro Numazaki
2015 (autumn) Tenri University
Nov 28–29
Theme: Birth and Death in Japan: Meanings and Representationin Historical and/or Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Organizer: Sumiya Norihara
2015 (spring) Seijō University Center for Glocal Studies
Apr 25–26
Theme: Glocalizing Japanese Studies: Japanese Studies Inside and Outside Japan
Organizer(s): Tomiyuki Uesugi
2014 Nanzan University Schedule (pdf)
Nov 29–30
Theme: Japan’s Cultural, Social and Natural Landscapes: Challenges and Developments
Keynote speakers: Tomoya Akimichi, Peter Knecht
2014 Makuhari, Chiba
May 15–18 *Joint meeting with JAWS, JASCA and IUAES
2013 International Christian University
Nov 9–10
Keynote speaker: Tom Gill
2012 Dōshisha University Schedule
Dec 1–2
Theme: Belonging in Japan and Beyond
Organizers: Greg Poole and Bruce White
2012 (spring) Osaka Gakuin University
Apr 21–22
Organizer: Michael Shackleton
2011 (autumn) Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Nov 26–27 *International Association for Asia Pacific Studies (IAAPS) joint conference
Theme: Change in the Asia-Pacific World
Organizer: Jerry Eades
2011 (spring) Kanazawa University Schedule
Organizer: John Ertl
2010 Temple University, Japan Campus
Nov 6–7
Theme: Making Local Places in Trans-Cultural Flows: Methodologies, Rhetorics and Ethnographies
Keynote speaker: Koichi Iwabuchi
Organizers: Kyle Cleveland, Sachiko Horiguchi, John Mock, and David Slater
2010 (spring) Tenri University Schedule
May 8–9
Organizer: Sumiya Norihara
2009 Dōshisha University Schedule
Apr 25–26
Theme: Multiethnic Japan
Organizer: Bruce White
2008 Osaka University, Graduate School of Human Sciences
Nov 8–9
Theme: Sites of Conflict and Conflict Resolution In and With Japan
2007 Temple University, Japan Campus
Nov 17–18 *10th Annual Meeting
Theme: Power, Identities and Relationships in Contemporary Japan
Keynote Speaker: Roger Goodman
Organizer(s): Mary Reisel
2006 Meiji Gakuin University, Shirokane Campus
Oct 28–29
Theme: From Fieldwork to Theory: The Complexities of Ethnography in Japan
Keynote speaker: Keibō Oiwa
Organizer(s): Tom Gill
2005 (Fall) Sophia University
Nov 5–6
Theme: Culture, Identity and Politics: Ethnography in/of Japan
Organizer(s): James Roberson
2005 (Spring) Osaka Gakuin University
April 23–25
Theme: Friendship
Organizer: Michael Shackleton
2004 Waseda and Sophia Universities
Nov 13 (at Waseda) and 14 (Sophia)
Organizer(s): Glenda Roberts (Waseda), David Slater (Sophia)
2003 Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Organizer(s): Jerry Eades
2002
2001 National Museum of Ethnology “Minpaku” Schedule
May 12–13
2000 Minnesota State University in Akita Schedule
Organizer: John Mock
1999 Sophia University, Institute of Comparative Culture Schedule
Organizer(s): David Slater and John Clammer
1998 Kyoto Bunkyō University Schedule
Mar 14–15 *Inaugural AJJ Meeting
Theme: Fieldwork in Japan
Organizer(s): Harumi Befu