Julie Y. Chu May 28, 2026 (Thursday): 17:30-19:00 Room 301, 3F, Building 10, Sophia University In person only / No registration required Before “the chain” became the dominant figure for understanding the dynamics of supply and demand in the 1980s, fluvial landscapes have long undergirded logistical projects for building out and maintaining the infrastructural channels of commerce and travel, especially around estuarial or delta zones where rivers meet the sea. Drawing on tw

Hilary J. Holbrow 18:00-19:30, May 19, 2026 Room 301, 3F, Building 10, Sophia University In person only / No registration required Japan's foreign population has grown exponentially since the liberalization of its border control policy in 1989. But, because political discourse paints the foreign population as temporary, research on non-citizens' experiences and outcomes relative to comparable Japanese is in its infancy. In this talk, I discuss how white-collar migrants from A

Mario Poceski May 7, 2026, 16:00-17:30 (JST) Room 301, 3F, Building 10, Sophia University In person only / No registration required Based on Prof. Poceski’s newest book, the talk explores the intertwining of life story, legend, and legacy, centered around the historical figure of the Buddha. A subject of veneration for hundreds of millions of people, the Buddha is a source of quiet admiration, reflection, or inspiration to many more. Exploring this iconic figure, his vision