From August 24 to 30, 2025, a delegation jointly organized by the Institute of International Studies (IIS) and the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) at Fudan University conducted an academic exchange and field research visit to Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan. The delegation included Professor Wei Zongyou and Associate Professor Wen Yao from the Center for American Studies at IIS Fudan; Associate Professor Xie Chao from the Center for South Asian Studies at IIS Fudan; Associate Professor Wang Guangtao from the Center for Japanese Studies at IIS Fudan; Professor Guo Dingping from SIRPA Fudan; and Ph.D. student Jiang Xin’er from SIRPA Fudan.
(The delegation in front of the National Diet Building of Japan)
(The delegation visiting the Central Headquarters of the Japanese Communist Party)
During their stay in Tokyo, the delegation visited the National Diet Building, the Central Headquarters of the Japanese Communist Party, the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR), and the Embassy of China in Japan. On the morning of August 25, with the assistance of the office of House of Representatives member Shoichi Kondo, the delegation toured the National Diet Building and gained insights into the rules and procedures of Japan’s legislative body. That afternoon, they visited the Central Headquarters of the Japanese Communist Party and were received by Vice Chairperson and Head of the International Department Yasuo Ogata. The two sides held in-depth discussions on several topics, including historical memory in the 80 years since World War II, inter-party diplomacy and exchanges, and the trajectory of Japan’s political landscape following the House of Councillors election.
On the afternoon of August 26, the delegation co-hosted an academic symposium with JFIR, focusing on the Indo-Pacific strategy in the context of a potential “Trump 2.0” and the future of China–Japan relations. On August 27, they visited the Embassy of China in Japan and met with Minister-Counselor Zhang Yibo of the Political Section and Counselor Guo Xiaohan of the Political Research Section. Discussions centered on China–Japan–U.S. trilateral relations, Japan’s domestic political dynamics, and the role of people-to-people exchanges in bilateral relations.
(The delegation holding a joint symposium with the Japan Forum on International Relations)
(The delegation visiting Embassy of China in Japan)
On the morning of August 28, the delegation visited Aichi University, where they were welcomed by Director Li Chunli of the International Center for Chinese Studies (ICCS). Both sides exchanged views on recent developments in Chinese studies in Japan, opportunities for young scholar exchange, and future avenues for collaborative research. The delegation also toured the Ezra Vogel Library at Aichi University. In the afternoon, they visited Nagoya University and attended a luncheon hosted by Professor Toshiya Nakamura, Director of the Global Media Research Center. A discussion session followed, during which members of the delegation gave presentations on China’s Political Science, International Relations, and Area Studies. They also engaged in academic exchange with scholars from Nagoya University, Waseda University, Meijo University, Aichi University, and Asahi University.
(The delegation visiting Aichi University)
(The delegation visiting Nagoya University)
This visit represented an important effort in interdisciplinary, cross-field, and cross-regional exchange between the two Fudan institutes. The Japanese institutions expressed strong interest in pursuing further academic cooperation.
