Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand why the old poets of China went so far
and high into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

[CALL FOR ABSTRACTS EXTENDED] Japanese Studies in the Philippines: The 8th Japanese Studies Research Development Competition (2)

Details

The UP Asian Center is now accepting abstract submissions for Japanese Studies in the Philippines: The 9th Japanese Studies Research Development Competition. Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in Philippine Universities may submit any topic related to Japanese Studies (except topics that focus solely on natural sciences, medical sciences, and engineering). The deadline for submissions is 31 August 2026, 5:00 PM, PHT.

This year’s competition shall consist of three parts: the proposal submission, research writing training workshop, and oral presentations.

PHASE 1: APPLICATION PERIOD

The application period is until 31 August 2026, 5:00 PM, PHT (GMT+8).

ELIGIBILITY:

•   Must be currently enrolled in a BA/BS or an MA/MS/Ph.D. program in a Philippine university.
•   Must be between 18 and 30 years old as of January 2027.
•   Can fully participate in the activities of the competition, from the proposal submission, research training workshop, research paper writing, to oral presentation.

GENERAL PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

1.   Any topic related to Japan can be submitted (except topics that focus solely on natural sciences, medical sciences, and engineering).
2.   The abstract submission must be a maximum of 500 words and should contain the following parts:

•   Title of the research
•   Introduction
•   Rationale 
•   Objectives of the study
•   Related literature (cite at least five academic sources, theories and concepts that are relevant to proposed research)
•   Methodology (briefly discuss the framework, details of data collection)
•   List of References

3.   Must be unpublished, solo-authored; and written in English or Filipino.
4.   Must not be under consideration in another publication.
5.   Format must be single-spaced, on an A4 size paper, using the latest APA citation style.
6.   Must use size 12, Times New Roman font.
7. The deadline for the submission of proposals is until 31 August 2026, 5:00 PM, PHT.
8.   To submit the documents, fill out this online application form.

PHASE 2: RESEARCH WRITING WORKSHOP

•   Authors of selected proposals (semi-finalists) will be required to participate in a three-day writing workshop to be held at the Asian Center in October 2025.
•   Participants who complete the workshop will receive a certificate of completion from the UP Asian Center.

PHASE 3: RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTATIONS FOR SHORTLISTED PROPOSALS

•     All finalists will be required to do an oral presentation during a public forum in March 2026. The presentation must not exceed 15 minutes.
•     Failure to present their papers means ineligibility for the competition prizes. Presentations by proxies are not allowed.

COMPETITION PRIZES AND PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITY

•   The most well-developed research papers will be judged as winners of the competition.
•   The competition prizes will be announced soon.
•   All finalists will have a chance to publish in the Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The research competition is organized by the UP Asian Center and the Japan Foundation, Manila. It aims to encourage Japan-related research among Filipino students, disseminate knowledge, and exchange perspectives on Japanese Studies.

For inquiries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 8 981 8500 local 3587.