MFU Hosts JSAT 2026 Japanese Studies Conference to Advance Regional Sustainability

The School of Social Innovation at Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), in collaboration with the Japanese Studies Association of Thailand (JSAT) and the Japan Foundation, hosted the 20th National and 1st International Conference of the Japanese Studies Association of Thailand (JSAT 2026). The event took place from 5 – 6 November 2026 at Pradoo Daeng 1 Meeting Room, General Sampao Choosri Building (E4). Held in a hybrid format under the theme “Japan and Global Sustainability: Partnerships for a Shared Future”, the conference served as a platform for academics, researchers, faculty members and students from Thailand, Japan, and beyond to present scholarly work and exchange knowledge in Japanese studies, with a strong focus on regional and global sustainability.

During the opening ceremony, remarks were delivered by Asst. Prof. Dr. Matchima Naradisorn, President of MFU; Asst. Prof. Dr. Prawpan Pholboon, President of JSAT; Kuriyama Masayuki, Director-General of the Japan Foundation, Bangkok; and Mr. Harada Masaru, Consul-General of Japan in Chiang Mai.

The conference featured a keynote speech titled “Preemptive Development: Rethinking Sustainability from Problem-Solving to Problem Prevention” by Professor Dr. Sato Jin, Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia at the University of Tokyo, emphasising a shift in development approaches toward proactive risk prevention. A second keynote, titled “Water Security and Sustainable Development: Lessons from Japan’s Experience and International Cooperation” was delivered by Dr. Nagata Kenji, Technical Advisor for Water Resources, Global Environment Department at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Additionally, the event engaged scholars from four countries in an international panel discussion titled “From Partnership to Practice: ASEAN and Country Perspectives on Sustainable Development and Japan’s Engagement in Southeast Asia.” The panel included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narut Charoensri (Chiang Mai University, Thailand); Dr. Tang Siew Mun (East Asian International Relations Caucus, Malaysia); Asst. Prof. Dr. Karl Ian Uy Cheng Chua (University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines); and Dr. Yulius Purwadi Hermawan (Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia). The panellists addressed approaches to advancing national and regional cooperation, translating regional commitments into practical implementation, and expanding cooperative efforts between Japan and Southeast Asia. 

The two-day event also included JSAT's Annual General Meeting for members, poster presentations, and two parallel paper presentation sessions. 

The initiative reflects MFU’s ongoing commitment to building academic capacity and expanding international research networks. By hosting JSAT’s inaugural international conference, the event highlighted MFU’s role as an academic bridge connecting Thailand, ASEAN, and Japan on sustainable development issues relevant to the Mekong subregion.