“Gender Perspectives for Southeast Asia and Japan: Pasts and Futures”
The Gender Studies Center, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos, is honored to host the 9th Biennial International Conference of the Japanese Studies Association of Southeast Asia (JSA–ASEAN) in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
This international conference brings together distinguished academics and experts from ASEAN and Japan to exchange research and perspectives on gender issues, historical developments, and future directions in Southeast Asia and Japan.
We look forward to welcoming you to this prestigious academic event in Vientiane, Laos.
Event Details
📅 11–12 December 2025 🕘 09:00 AM – 17:30 PM 📍 Souphattra Vientiane Hotel, Vientiane, Lao PDR
This conference showcases the newest partner of JSA-ASEAN, National University of Laos, under the Gender Studies Center, Faculty of Social Science. This conference was scheduled in 2020, however, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and national borders closed for travel, JSA-ASEAN opted to postpone the conference in the hopes that the situation would improve. JSA-ASEAN is grateful to Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University for hosting the conference in 2023 to give enough time for NUOL to prepare for the present 2025 conference.
The two-day conference invites and gathers researchers, educators, practitioners and students who are conducting Japan-related research within the Southeast Asian region as well as elsewhere. The first day will be a keynote and plenary address to talk about the issues gender in Japan and Southeast Asia. A workshop for graduate students prior to the main conference with also be held. This gathering becomes an opportunity for new members of the Association to highlight new critical perspectives to and approaches in Japanese studies in these ever-changing times.
In honor of the host institution and in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Laos-Japan Diplomatic Relations, the theme for this year’s conference is “Gender Perspectives for Southeast Asia and Japan: Pasts and Futures” addressing a variety of issues including gender gaps. Japan ranked 118th among 146 countries in the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report of 2024, while host country Laos is ranked 89th. The positions of the other Southeast Asian countries varies, which merits debates and discussions on the topic.
The theme revolves around the various “pasts” and “futures” between Southeast Asia and Japan
The conference organizers invite individual papers, panels, posters and short films/videos relating to the conference theme. The sub-themes may include:
A. Gender and Women B. Social classes and subcultures C. Peace and Security D. International relations E. Political economy F. Migration G. Disaster H. Community activism and networking I. Language and literature
New and aspiring proposals in other areas are also welcome
GUIDELINES FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
1) Abstracts should be at least 200 – 300 words in English or 1500 characters in Japanese. Possible sub-themes into which the abstract falls may also be indicated. 2) Please include author’s name(s), institutional affiliation, and complete contact information (email-address) 3) The deadline for submissions is 30 August 2025
The Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, will be the host of the 8th Japanese Studies Association – ASEAN (JSA-ASEAN) from 20th to 22nd December 2023 at Kantary Hills Hotel, Chiang Mai. Please visit this website for more information: http://jsaasean.pol.cmu.ac.th/
JSA-ASEAN 