On October 4 (Friday) and 5 (Saturday), Soka University’s Professor Yoshiya Suetake of the Faculty of Letters participated in the International Symposium Commemorating the Establishment of the East Asia Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences titled, “A New Horizon of East Asia Humanities and Social Sciences Research – Crossover of Figures, Culture, Ideas, Marine, and Economics” held at the Chinese Culture University located in Taipei City, Taiwan.

This conference was held by President Shing-ching Shyu of the Chinese Culture University, who is also a researcher of Japan, based on the purpose to promote academic exchanges, collaborating with various universities in East Asia, and with the aim to develop humanities and social science research in the Eastern Asian region, which differs from the west.

Researchers of Taiwan, Japan, China, South Korea, and Vietnam were invited, and from Japan, 9 universities and research institutes including The University of Tokyo, Keio University, and Waseda University participated.

At the convention, first, the establishment ceremony of the East Asia Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences took place, which was followed by a keynote speech by National Taiwan University’s Distinguished Chair Professor Chun-chieh Huang titled, “Several Issues Pertaining to Asian Research in the 21st Century.” Later, there was a total of 39 research presentations, which included Soka University Professor Suetake’s presentation titled, “Thoughts and Actions of Party Politicians of Japan Seen in Hara Takashi and Tsuyoshi Inukai.” All the participants reconfirmed the features and importance of the East Asian region as well as the importance of humanities and social science studies.

Located on the 10th floor of the university’s Gyo-ho building, which served as the venue, is the “Daisaku Ikeda Research Center,” which researches on Soka University founder Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. The center displays many of the founder’s publications and photographs. Assistant Professor Yan Lian Li of the center shared, “Many visitors, including general citizens, come to view the center.”