The 2025 JSAC Conference will be held October 2 – 5 (Thu to Sun) at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge in Downtown Lethbridge in southern Alberta, hosted by the University of Lethbridge. The conference theme is “Building Bridges: Past, Present, and Future.” As a multidisciplinary organization, JSAC invites your proposals for individual papers, panels, or roundtable discussions on any aspect of Japan studies on cross-cutting themes across a range of disciplines. Click the above link for details: the submission deadline is extended to August 12.

The U of L boasts a strong Japan studies program, while southern Alberta is home to a vibrant Japanese Canadian community. The conference will showcase the U of L (About | University of Lethbridge) and local community including a visit to Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. This all serves as an ideal setting for students and scholars of all levels, as well as community members and partners to engage in discussions on the bridges between cultures, histories, and communities of Japan and the Japanese diaspora from the past, present, and into the future. 

 

Keynote Speakers

We are excited to present the following internationally-respected scholars as our keynote speakers sponsored by the Japan Foundation. Further details coming soon.

Prof. Shige Makino, Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University, Japan:

“Foundations of Japanese Management and Leadership” 

Prof. Eiko Ikegami, The New School for Social Research, New York, United States:

“Moments of Transposition in Japan's Past & Present: Flying Fish, Avatars and Space Shuttles” 

Prof. Kanako Uzawa, Global Station for Indigenous Studies and Cultural Diversity at Hokkaido University, Japan/ Historical Museum of the University of Oslo, Norway:

“The Vision of an Indigenous Scholar on the Enduring Spirit of Ainu Women: Symbols of Power in Society, Heritage, and the Museum”

Prof. David Fedman, Department of History, University of California Irvine, United States:

“On Memory and Morphology: A Field Guide to Tokyo’s Arboreal Archive of Wartime Destruction” 

Prof. Darren J. Aoki, School of Society and Culture at University of Plymouth, United Kingdom:

“Loss – forgetting and remembering Japanese Canadian communities of memory” 

 

Travelling Here

To get here, you can fly to the Calgary International Airport (YYC), then fly to the Lethbridge Airport (YQL), or take the bus (Home - Red Arrow) or drive a rental car (or carpool) from Calgary to Lethbridge. It is approximately a 2.5-hour drive. WestJet Airlines operates direct flights from Narita to Calgary and also from Calgary to Lethbridge. 

 

Conference Site and Accommodations

All Conference sessions are scheduled to be held at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge in Downtown Lethbridge. This allows the convenience of having the Conference events and accommodations at the same location. Guests can book directly with this link for special discount rates:  https://reservations.sandmanhotels.com/113172?groupID=4557507

Alternatively, you can call our 24-hour Reservations office at 1-800-726-3626 / 1-800-SANDMAN.

• • In order to receive the correct rates, callers must reference: 
    • Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge
    • Group Name: JSAC Conference 2025
    • Block ID: 462367
    • Block code: JSAC2025
  • A valid credit card is required at the time of reservation to secure any guests rooms.

 

Registration Fees in Canadian dollars

Registration Fees                                Until Aug 12       Aug 13 to Sept 10

Regular Tier (member)                              $275                    $305

Regular Tier (non-member)                       $335                    $365

Reduced Tier – student (member)             $120                    $140

Reduced Tier – student (non-member)     $140                    $160

* Deadline for Registration is September 10

* Consider becoming a JSAC member for an additional $60 a year ($20 for students), and receive voting rights and other benefits. See details and register here.

* Registration fees cover the cost of venue rentals, breakfast and lunch from Oct 3 to 5, entrance to Nikka Yuko Japan Garden on Oct 4, and refreshments across all four days.

 

JSAC Banquet and Optional Tours

Banquet and Golden Maple Lecture: Fri, Oct 3  6:00 to 8:30 pm at Main Ballroom of Conference Site. Tickets $100 each, with half being donated to Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. Tax receipt of $50 will be issued. The buffet dinner will be followed by a presentation by Prof. Kanako Uzawa (Hokkaido University/ University of Oslo): “The Vision of an Indigenous Scholar on the Enduring Spirit of Ainu Women: Symbols of Power in Society, Heritage, and the Museum”

In August, participants will be surveyed about their interest in attending optional tours on Sun, Oct 5 to Waterton National Park in the Rockies. Fees and details TBD.

 

JSAC Book Swap

You are invited to bring any of your Japan Studies and Asian Studies books you wish to leave and display on our Book Swap table for students, faculty, and community members to take freely. This has been a highly popular feature of JSAC Conferences. Let’s find these books a new home!

 

Our Sponsors and Partners

Our sincere thanks to our generous sponsors and partners that make our JSAC Conference possible: 

The Japan Foundation         

The Centre for Oral History and Tradition

Nikkei Memory Capture Project     

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

Prime Catering

Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Lethbridge

Offices of the President and Provost, University of Lethbridge

University of Lethbridge Bookstore

Asian Studies, University of Lethbridge

University of Lethbridge