JSAA Conference 2025
About
Anaiwan: Dangana ndaga? Nyana ndaga wanan?
お元気でいらっしゃいますか。なぜ、こちらにいらっしゃいましたか。
For the first time ever in 2025, the Japanese Studies Association of Australia Biennial conference will be held in Anaiwan Country (also a meeting place for Dangaddi, Gunbainggari and Baanbai tribes), on the New England Tablelands in Armidale at the University of New England campus. All scholars involved in Japanese Studies in some way, or at its margins, are welcomed to the conference.
The conference theme is 'Marginal Places, Flows, Identities', inspired by the Anaiwan region, and UNE's position in a marginal place, at around 1000 metres above sea level. Like Armidale's relationship to the major urban cities of Sydney and Brisbane, there are many marginal places on the edges of Japan, and beyond, where identity has been affected by historical prejudice and losses, and where the often-assumed 'homogeneity' of Japan is questioned.
Keynote speakers at JSAA2025:
Our conference welcome and keynotes are open to the public without cost. To register to attend in person or online, use this link:
The Sea Connects: Rethinking the Emergence of Modern Japan and Australia from a Pacific Ocean Perspective 2nd October, 6:00 – 7:00, hybrid, open to the public. In recent years, the ocean has become an increasingly visible element in the study of Japanese history. The sea, if course, is always present in the story of an archipelago like Japan; but often it has been seen either as a blank space or as a barrier separating Japan from the outside world. Now, more and more, the sea is viewed as a dynamic force in history. Drawing inspiration from this ‘oceanic turn’ in history writing, my paper explores the new light that can be shed on Japan’s past by placing it in the context of the floating empire of commercial whaling which transformed the nineteenth-century Pacific. Viewing the region’s history from the deck of the whaleship can help us to see neglected or forgotten aspects of Pacific history, and this in turn sheds new light on the emergence of modern nations including Japan and Australia. In particular, a maritime viewpoint reveals the historical connections, not just between ‘the West’ and Japan, or between Europe and Australia, but amongst the many communities of the Pacific Ocean. Starting from the small stories of Pacific Islanders who arrived in Japan from Australia before the coming of Perry, I argue that there has been a ‘Pacific amnesia’ in our understanding of the nineteenth century histories of both Japan and Australia. From a maritime perspective, Japan was developing connections to places like Hawaii and Palau even before its 1850s ‘opening’ to the world, while seaborn connections brought Pacific Islanders from many parts of the ocean to the shores of Pre-Federation Australia. This presentation will consider some of the ways in which the oceanic perspective on the past can give us new understandings of the history of Japan and Australia, and the relationship between them. Tessa Morris-Suzuki is Professor Emerita of History at the Australian National University, where she previously held the positions of Distinguished Professor and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow. Her research focuses on the history of modern Japan and East Asia more widely, with a special interest in frontiers, migration and minorities and historical conflict and reconciliation. Her recent books include Japan's Living Politics: Grassroots Action and the Crises of Democracy (Cambridge University Press, 2020); On the Frontiers of History: Rethinking East Asian Borders (ANU Press, 2020). In 2013 she was awarded the Fukuoka Prize (Academic Award) for contributions to Asian Studies. How do the self-concepts of foreign language learners change? A longitudinal case study of learners of Japanese 3rd October, 1:30-2:30, hybrid, open to the public. People’s perceptions of themselves impact on their actions and achievements. In particular, the way that learners of a foreign language (FL) perceive themselves as learners of that language has a strong influence on their learning actions and achievements. Although second language acquisition traditionally examined only the cognitive aspects of language learning, such as linguistic skills per se, researchers later began to focus on learner’s sense of self, in conjunction with the development of ideas of the importance of motivation, affective factors and social contexts. FL self-concept, which includes both a FL learner’s judgements of their FL skills and their affective responses to those judgements (Mercer, 2011), is an important part of this, helping us to better understand the FL learning of individual learners. Here, I’ll focus on what we can come to know about language learning by looking at the changes that occur in the FL self-concepts of learners. I’ll analyse the changes that took place in the FL self-concepts of five Japanese language learners at an Australian university in their transition from secondary school to university as well as during and after their Japanese study abroad. The data were collected longitudinally (up to three years): the learners wrote diary entries about their experiences related to Japanese language learning and their feelings about those experiences, and they also participated in face-to-face and Skype interviews with the researcher, as well as in e-mail exchanges. The data were qualitatively analysed with content analysis. At the beginning of their Japanese language course at the university, the learners’ FL self-concepts tended to become more negative, as the learning context was different from what they were used to at secondary school. Without knowing their classmates’ Japanese proficiencies, they worried about being perceived as incompetent learners by their classmates and teachers. However, to achieve their ideal L2 selves, their image of an ideal L2 learner (Dörnyei, 2009), the learners put in an effort to improve their skills, based on their beliefs about FL learning. Once they realised their skills were progressing, the learners’ FL self-concepts became more positive. However, a year or two later, when the students began their Japanese study abroad, their FL self-concepts generally become negative in what was a totally different learning context, and they once again needed to develop more positive FL self-concepts in another new learning context. In new learning contexts, then, the learners tended to have a marginalised self-concept and they actively compared themselves with other learners. Once they developed their skills and confidence in the new learning context, they constructed self-concepts as more legitimate members of that context, and started focusing more on their own progress. We see that learners’ FL self-concepts are dynamic, and they are active agents who change their own FL self-concepts from negative to positive in order to achieve their ideal L2 selves based on their beliefs about FL learning. Dr. Reiko Yoshida is Senior Lecturer in Japanese in the Education Futures Unit and a member of the Centre for Research in Educational and Social Inclusion at the University of South Australia. Her research interests are the psychological aspects of foreign language learning and teaching, such as identity, self-concept and emotion. Her research has been published in international peer-reviewed Q1 journals, including The Modern Language Journal and Computer-Assisted Language Learning. Her book Self-concept in Foreign Language Learning: A Longitudinal Study of Japanese Language Learners was published in 2024 by Routledge.
Conference Sponsors
The Shoyu Club (尚友倶楽部)
Japan Foundation 国際交流基金.
University of New England
Japanese Studies Association of Australia (JSAA)
Call for Papers
JSAA 2025 invites submissions for (1) individual papers, (2) panel proposals, and (3) alternative formats. Both onsite and online presentations are available, however panels should be either fully online or fully face-to-face. All presentations should be given in Japanese or English. We aim to make the conference most accessible for postgraduate and early career scholars, and we encourage their participation.
- Papers: Individual papers comprise in-room/online presentations of original research by one or more authors, involving 20 minutes presentation and 10 minutes Q&A
- Roundtable/Panels: Panels allow for extended discussion of a particular topic. These will normally comprise 3-4 presenter slots of maximum 20 minutes each, scheduled over 1.5 hours, inclusive of an optional discussion or discussant slot
- Alternative formats & book launch options are also available
Scholars interested in proposing a paper or panel are invited to think broadly on the themes of marginal places, flows and identities. Potential approaches could include the following:
- Marginal places and peoples of Japan
- New approaches to the study of Japan
- New pedagogy in teaching in Japanese studies
- Construction of self and identity from the margins
- Language and identity and margins
- Representations of identities in the arts, including literature, film, or performing arts
- Linguistic change, and marginal languages
- Flows of people and languages
- Challenges to/from homogeneity and its discourses
- Post-colonialism and the Japanese archipelago
- Japan and intersectionalities
Papers that do not engage with the theme but are connected with Japanese Studies in its breadth are welcomed.
On the first day of the conference, a postgraduate/ECR workshop will be held, TBC.
Session Types
1. Individual Presentations (20 Minutes +10 minutes Questions)
2. Roundtable/Panel (90 minutes)
3. Alternative formats (suggested 60-90 minutes) eg. Book launch, creative presentations, workshops
Abstracts must be submitted to the following email address by 3rd February: jsaa2025@une.edu.au
The abstract should:
- Not exceed 250 words
- Indicate the presenting author(s) if co-authored, plus the institutional affiliation
- Include an overview of the intent and purpose of the presentation, as well as the significance of the research presented
- Include a title of up to 20 words
- Indicate preference for either of online, or in-person presentation
Please note that JSAA2025 is not a fully hybrid conference. Online only presentations will be scheduled together with other online presentations and online registrations will not have access to all face-to-face sessions, with the exception of the keynote presentations, which will be streamed.
The limited access will be reflected in the price of registrations.
Key dates
3 February Deadline for panel and individual proposal submissions
10 March Notification of acceptance/Registration opens
27 June Early bird registration deadline
12 September Deadline for registration
2 October Conference opens (Thursday)
4 October Conference ends (Saturday)
Contact
Co-convenors: Gwyn McClelland and Laura Clark
Please email submissions or any questions to jsaa2025@une.edu.au
We very much look forward to meeting with you in Anaiwan Country in 2025!
Registration
To complete your registration, please follow this link to fill out the survey and access the payment portal
Early Bird Registration (Until 27 June 2025)
JSAA Members – $250 AUD
Non-Members – $335 AUD
Postgraduate – $120 AUD
Casual/Unemployed – $120 AUD
Post Early Bird Registration
JSAA Members – $300 AUD
Non-Members – $385 AUD
Postgraduate – $150 AUD
Casual/Unemployed – $150 AUD
Online Only
JSAA Members – $30 AUD
Non-Members – $50 AUD
Postgraduate – $10 AUD
Casual/Unemployed – $10 AUD
Save on Your Registration – Become a JSAA Member!
Signing up for a JSAA membership can make your registration cheaper! Join today: JSAA Membership Page
Accommodation Details
- $82.50 per person per night
- Single occupancy, student-style rooms with shared bathroom facilities
How to Book
- Register your details in the Accommodation Portal to create an account. Then log in.
- Select ‘Short Stay Bookings’, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click ‘Book Here’.
- Scroll past the "International Accommodation Scholarship" heading to the ‘Group Code’ field. Enter the code Japan.
- Select ‘JSAA Japanese Studies Conference 2025 group’.
- Let us know if you have any special room requirements, then click ‘Save & Continue’.
- Booking dates are pre-filled for 1/10 – 4/10/2025 (3 nights). Select Mary White College.
- Add your Room Type to Cart. Click ‘Pay Now’ and complete payment by Visa or Mastercard.
- A booking confirmation email will be sent within 3–5 days.
Need Help?
If you have any enquiries about on-campus accommodation options, please contact:
📧 Email: accommodation@une.edu.au
📞 Phone: (02) 6773 3370 – UNE Residential Services
113 Barney Street, Armidale 2370
- Standard Motel room $110.00/night
- Deluxe twin or standard room $125.00/night (2 people)
- 2-3 bedroom apartments $175.00/night
Phone: (02) 67725177
86 Barney Street, Armidale
- Premium Queen $154.00/night.
- Executive Queen $164.00/night.
- Premium Twin $174.00/night.
- Executive King Suite $184.00/night
Phone: (02) 67728511
174 Beardy Street Armidale
- Queen Room $199.00/night
- King Room $209.00/night
These rates also include complimentary breakfast.
Phone: (02) 67739600
For more accommodation options see: https://www.visitarmidale.com.au/stay
Travelling to Armidale
Armidale is located half-way between Sydney and Brisbane. This website is useful for information on different routes.
There are lots of ways to get here, including:
Drive
Armidale is on the New England Highway, which is the inland route between Sydney and Brisbane. Driving time from Sydney or Brisbane is around 5.5 to 6.5 hours (depending on your route) and less than 3 hours from the coast. If you're coming from the coast, enjoy one of Australia's best drives across the Waterfall Way.
Fly
Armidale Airport is located a 5-minute drive from the town centre, and has several flights each day. From the airport, you can reach town by hire car, public bus (route 480), or taxi.
QANTAS has several flights between Sydney and Armidale each day.
Link Airways offers a few flights per week between Brisbane and Armidale.
Train
Countrylink provides rail travel between Sydney and Armidale once per day in each direction. The Countrylink service includes the Central Coast, Newcastle, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Tamworth. Concession fares are available for tertiary students.
Bus
Dorrigo Transit operates from Armidale to Coffs Harbour or Tamworth, 1-2 times a week. Bookings essential.
NSW TrainLink offers a bus between Tenterfield and Armidale.
Getting around Armidale
Armidale is a small town and most accommodation, restaurants, and shops are easily within walking distance. UNE is outside the town centre, but easily reached by:
Car
You can hire a car once you're in Armidale, from the airport:
- Hertz — Armidale Airport 02 6772 0620
- Avis — Armidale Airport 02 6772 6216
- Budget — 149/151 Miller St, West Armidale NSW 2350 Ph 02 6772 5872
- Thrifty — Armidale Airport 02 6772 4551
On-campus, parking is in the Blue and Purple bays and costs $1 per hour or $15 for a 7-day ticket. Parking is paid for through the Strada app.
Bus
Edwards Coaches offer cheap local routes around Armidale including between town and UNE, and to/from the airport. The network map is here. The routes are:
480: Between Armidale and Uralla, via Armidale Airport
481: Between Armidale and the UNE campus
483: Armidale South hill loop
484: Armidale North hill loop
Taxi
Armidale taxis can be booked either through their website, the Armidale Taxis app, or by calling 02 6771 1455. You can pre-book a time or call when you need a taxi.
There is no Uber in Armidale.
Cycling
There is a pleasant bike path between UNE and the town centre, which can be used to walk, bike, or scooter to the campus. Bikes can be hired from the Armidale Bicycle Centre or Bicycle Central on Marsh depending on availability.
On Campus
Fitness: SportUNE gym and heated indoor pool. Casual membership: $16 per day.
(02)67733856 email: sportune@une.edu.au
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 6.00am – 9.00 pm; Saturday 7.00 am – 6.00 pm; Sun 8.00 am – 6.00 pm.
Group Fitness Classes Timetable: https://www.sportune.com.au/programs/group-fitness-classes/
Armidaleparkrun: 5km community event. Walk, jog, run or spectate every Sat at 8.00 am from SportUne. Free, registration required. https://www.parkrun.com.au/armidale/
Places to eat
Café Patisserie
80 Rusden Street, Tues-Sat 8.00am–2.30pm Phone: (02) 6787 4040 https://cafepatisserie.com.au/ fresh baked pastries and crepes.
Goldfish Bowl
Cnr. Jessie and Rusden Streets, Phone: Mon–Fri 7.00 am–3.00 pm; 5.30 pm–8.30 pm. Sat and Sun 7.00 am–12.30 pm. Phone: (02) 6771 5533 https://www.thegoldfishbowl.com.au/ Woodfired bakery and Café.
Hào
(in Wicklow Hotel) 85 Marsh Street. 4.30 – 8.30 pm Phone: (02) 6772 2992. Wide selection of Japanese food, sushi and grill. Takeaway available. BYO.
Indian Affair
115 Rusden Street (upstairs) 5.00 – 10.00 pm Phone: (02) 5713 0130. https://anindianaffair.com.au/ Wide selection of Indian dishes, Tandoori style. Take-away available. Licenced or BYO.
Luniva Momo
Shop 1, 110 Marsh Street, 5.30 – 9.00 pm. Phone (02) 9057 5659 https://lunivamomo.com.au/ Authentic Nepalese restaurant, Vegetarian friendly. Take-away available. BYO.
Paper Tiger Eatery
Shop 2, 14 Moore Street, Mon – Sat 7.00am – 2.00pm; Sat only 5.30 – 9.00 pm. Phone: (02) 6772 6262 . Japanese Ramen specialties and café.
Signor Vertelli, Shop 4, 110 Marsh Street, 5.00 – 9.00 pm. Phone: 0498 603 367 (text only) https://www.signorvertelli.com/ Traditional regional Italian cuisine and Napoli style wood-fired pizza. Licenced.
Thai Home
100 Marsh Street, 5.00 pm until late. (02)57130808 https://thaihomerestaurant.com.au/info . Take-away available. Licenced or BYO.
The Cottage Restaurant and Bar
86 Barney Street. 5.30 – 9.00 pm. Phone: 0408 322 004. https://www.thecottagearmidale.au/ Elegant combination of fusion food and local produce. Licenced.
Tattersall’s Restaurant
174 Beardy Street, 5.30 – 8.30 pm. Phone: (02) 6773 9600. https://www.tattersallsarmidale.com.au/dining A la Carte dining in award winning restaurant or casual outdoor Pizza Garden. Licenced.
White Bull Hotel
117 Marsh Street, 5.30pm – 9.00 pm. Phone: (02) 6772 3833 https://www.whitebull.net.au/. Traditional country fare with a modern twist, focus on meat and locally sourced produce. Licenced.
Places to visit:
Culture
New England Regional Art Museum
106-114 Kentucky Street, Armidale.
Open Tues-Sun 10.00am – 4.00pm. Entry by donation.
Phone (02)6772 5255. https://www.neram.com.au/ Howard Hinton Collection of early 20th century Australian artists plus special exhibitions.
Includes Museum of Printing: Open Tues and Sun 11.00am – 3.00pm or by appointment.
Café and Restaurant at NERAM: Six Counties. Tues – Sun 8.00am – 3.00 pm. Phone: 0414824177.
Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place
96-104 Kentucky Street, Armidale Phone: (02)6771 3606. 9.00 am – 4.00 pm Mon to Friday, 10.00am – 2.00 pm Sat. https://www.acckp.com.au/
A place of cultural awareness and cross- cultural learning with Art Galleries specialising in Aboriginal works of art, family history centre, conference and learning facilities and gift shop specialising in Aboriginal merchandise.
Belgrave Cinema
145 Dumaresq Street Armidale, Phone: (02)67722856 https://www.belgravecinema.com.au/. Check website for program and screening times.
History
Armidale Heritage Tours
Historical journey through Armidale, approximately 3 hours with guide and stops at sites of historical significance. Departs from Visitor Information Centre, 82 Marsh Street, Armidale, Mon –Sat 10.00 am. Phone: (02) 67703888. https://www.visitarmidale.com.au/listing/armidale-heritage-tours By donation. Bookings recommended.
Saumarez Homestead and Heritage Rose Garden
National Trust Edwardian homestead in landscaped grounds. Check website for opening hours and house tours. Phone (02)6772 3616 https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/saumarez-homestead/
Armidale Folk Museum Cnr. Rusden and Faulkner Streets. Open 11.00am – 2.00 pm. Closed Tues. Phone (02) 6770 3836.
Tasting
The Welder’s Dog
Brewery 101 Beardy Street, Mon –Thur 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, Fri 10.00 am – 8.30pm. Phone: 0423 200 699
Bar: 120 Marsh Street, Tues –Sat 2.00 pm to midnight, Sun 2.00pm –10.00pm. Phone: 0432 054 444
Website:
Great Hops Brewery
33 Old Inverell Road, Armidale, Friday 4pm to 11 pm, Saturday 12.30pm –11.00pm, Sunday 12.30 pm – 4.00pm.
Phone: (02) 5713 0140
Website: https://www.greathops.com.au/Dobson’s Distillery: 298 Kentucky Road, Kentucky. 10.30 am – 2.30 pm. Phone: (02) 67787473 https://www.dobsonsdistillery.com/ Tastings variety of gins and cocktails. Weekend food menu.
New England Brewing Co.
19 Bridge Street, Uralla, Thur – Sat 11.00 am – 6.00pm. Phone: (02) 67784781https://www.newenglandbrewing.com.au/ Selection of hand-crafted beers.
Peterson’s Winery
345 Dangarsleigh Road, Armidale. 10.00am – 4.00 pm. Phone (02) 67720422 https://www.petersonswines.com.au/ Cellar door tastings of local wines.
Scenery
Gara Gorge lookout
Spectacular views of rugged gorge country. Watch for brush-tailed rock wallabies, peregrine falcons and wedge-tailed eagles along the Threlfall walking trail. Picnic and BBQ facilities. Approximately 23 km from Armidale CBD. Phone (02)67703888
https://www.visitarmidale.com.au/listing/gara-gorge-lookout
Dangars Falls
Dramatic views over the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and Dangar’s Falls. Various grades of walking tracks. Approximately 19km from Armidale CBD (partly gravel road)
Phone: (02) 6738 9100
npws.nea@environment.nsw.gov.au
Wollomombi Falls
Highest waterfalls in Australia. Off Waterfall Way, 44km east of Armidale in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Phone: (02) 6738 9100
npws.nea@environment.nsw.gov.au
For more suggestions:
Armidale Visitor Information Centre
Phone: (02) 6770 3888
Website: https://www.visitarmidale.com.au/
Email: tourism@armidale.nsw.gov.au
Carol Hayes Postgraduate Research Prize
Carol Hayes Postgraduate Research Prize has been established to honour the memory of Professor Carol Hayes, in recognition of her outstanding academic contributions and dedication to JSAA. This prize is awarded biennially at the JSAA conference and celebrates one exceptional postgraduate researcher. The prize includes a monetary reward of $1,000 AUD. A selection committee will review submitted papers to determine the winner.
Eligibility
- HDR students enrolled in Australian institutions.
- Financial members of JSAA.
- Applicants must submit an abstract for presentation at the JSAA conference in the year of application.
- Applicants must attend and present at the JSAA conference in the year of application.
- Applicants must submit a full paper version of the abstract.
- Submission of the full paper will be considered as an application for the prize.
Full paper submission requirements:
- Paper Submission Deadline: September 1, 2025 (4 weeks prior to the conference).
- Length: 3,000–5,000 words excluding footnotes/endnotes and references.
Submission should be directed to JSAA Secretary Dr Satoshi Nambu satoshi.nambu@monash.edu.au
