International Symposium 国際シンポジウム

Reimagining Nature Through Japanese Studies & Art: How to Think the Unthinkable Beyond Ecoanxiety

日本研究とアートで自然を再想像する: 思考の限界に挑んでエコ不安を超える方法

In the age of the climate crisis, ecoanxiety among young people has become a significant concern worldwide. Global warming, symbolised by the image of a polar bear clinging to a small piece of ice, evokes feelings of anger, sadness, and helplessness in young people. The question is not just how to reduce CO2 emissions. To address the challenges we face in the Anthropocene, we need to rethink the anthropocentric human-nature relationship that underpins modernity. However, imagining a non-anthropocentric world is difficult because we have few references in contemporary society that allow us to conceive of an alternative relationship with nature. In this context, what is the significance of Japanese Studies and art? In this international symposium, we explore the possibilities of reimagining the human-nature relationship through Japanese Studies and art, and its relevance for envisioning a sustainable future.