The National Central Library (NCL), in partnership with the University of Tokyo Library and the Asian Research Library jointly organized an international symposium titled “Chinese and Taiwan Studies in Taiwan and Japan: Looking Back and toward the Future,” held from September 30 to October 1, 2025, at the University of Tokyo Hongo Campus General Library. The event also featured Professor Yi-shen Chen, Director of the Academia Historica, as the keynote speaker for the Taiwan Lecture on Chinese Studies.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by Professor Shuichi Sakai, Director of the University of Tokyo Library; Professor Eiji Sagawa, Director of the Asian Research Library; and Deputy Director-General Chih-Tsung Weng of the NCL. Representing NCL Director-General Han-Ching Wang Deputy Director-General Weng noted that since the 2014 establishment of the Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies (TRCCS) at the University of Tokyo, Taiwanese academic research has been deeply integrated into the university’s scholarly landscape. With the dedicated support of Professor Sagawa and TRCCS Director Professor Shin Kawashima, the partnership has flourished for over a decade, fostering numerous exchange visits and "Taiwan Lectures on Chinese Studies"
A highlight of the opening was the Taiwan Lecture on Chinese Studies delivered by Dr. Yi-shen Chen, Director of the Academia Historica. His keynote, titled “Light and Shadows: Tracing the Imprints of Taiwan’s Rebirth Around 1945,” offered a profound reflection on the historical dynamics of post-war Taiwanese society, setting an intellectual tone for the ensuing sessions.
The two-day symposium brought together over 40 prominent scholars from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, attracting more than 170 on-site and online participants. The first day focused on Republican Era History and Modern Taiwanese History, exploring modernization narratives and transnational dissemination. The second day shifted focus to "Pre-modern Chinese Gender History," "Chinese Popular Culture and Folk Beliefs," and "East Asian History." Topics were wide-ranging, covering kinship culture in the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, gender and family studies in Late Imperial China, and studies on the influence of literary classics such as The Investiture of the Gods and The Journey to the West on popular beliefs, as well as comparative analyses of East Asian historiography. Participating scholars noted that these studies reflect t the diversity of contemporary Chinese Studies and highlight shared concerns across the international scholarly community.
Deputy Director-General Chih-tsung Weng emphasized that the value of academic research lies not only in the accumulation of knowledge but also in fostering dialogue and heritage across borders and generations. He expressed hope that this symposium would inspire a new generation of researchers to dedicate themselves to Sinology and Taiwan Studies, injecting fresh vitality into the field. Finally, he extended his gratitude to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan for their long-standing support and assistance.