MOSAI forms KIZUNA India-Japan Study Forum to promote study of unexplored India-Japan historical and cultural interactions

NEW DELHI: Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI) has constituted Kizuna India-Japan Study Forum as an International Forum to prepare a comprehensive document on the history of soft contact between India and Japan. Forming KIZUNA India-Japan Study Forum is part of the year-long celebrations to mark the year 2022 as the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of India-Japan Diplomatic Relations,

According to Dr Ashok Jain, Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India and President MOSAI, the KIZUNA India-Japan Study Forum aims at promoting the study of under-researched aspects of India-Japan historical and cultural interactions by holding lectures on a monthly basis.

“This will open avenues for all young and old researchers/scholars to share and exchange their work encapsulating rich history and contacts between the two countries in trade, business, economic, cultural, philosophical spheres. This would not only enhance mutual understanding but also strengthen the foundations of rapidly expanding multifaceted cooperation between the two countries,: said Dr. Jain.

The rationale for international collaboration stems from the fact that historically,  even during several centuries when there were no direct contacts between India and Japan,  multifaceted flow of culture and ideas between India and Japan had continued through trading activities of western countries connecting India with Japan with sea and land routes passing through several parts of South and South-East Asia.

KIZUNA India-Japan Study Forum is organising it inaugural seminar titled India-Japan Interactions on September 26 at India International Centre, New Delhi. Three eminent Scholars from Portugal, Japan, and India have been especially invited to present pioneering work on historical India-Japan contacts.

Learned discussants have also agreed to add value to the deliberations.  H.E. Kunihio Kawazu, Deputy Chief of Japanese Mission, Koji Sato, Director General , Japan Foundation and Ambassador Deepa Gopaln Wadhwa, President, India-Japan Friendship Forum will address the Seminar.

Prof Sushila Narsimahan, Retired Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, Delhi University and Academic Coordinator of the Forum will also be present on the occasion to deliver her views on this crucial subject.