Research Themes and Activities

There are two main points for consideration for the second year of research and planning. First, it has been noted that during the first year, although individual research projects were generally successful, there was a lack of cohesion overall. This year individual research will only be undertaken once its relevance within the unit and group is clearly defined. Second, members will do all they can to define their themes. Those responsible will reexamine their unit's and groups research aims, while members work to build team spirit.

Activities will be carried out either by (a) the unit or group as a whole, or (b) by individuals in smaller subgroups.

1. Research Themes (a)
   • Civil Society and Democratization
     The activities of the unit as a whole will be supervised by MURAI Yoshinori, KISAICHI Masatoshi, KURITA Yoshiko and MATSUMOTO Kotaro.
   • Democratization and Islam in Indonesia
     This topic will mainly be the responsibility of Group 2-A under MURAI Yoshinori, MIZUNO Kosuke, KAWASHIMA Midori and SAEKI Natsuko.
2. Research Themes (b)
   • Social Development in the Maghreb
     MIYAJI Kazuo will be in charge of this topic within Group 2-A, together with OYAMADA Noriko and IWASAKI Erina to create a database containing information about organizations, bibliographies, etc.
   • Environmental Problems and Development in Yunnan, China.
     This project continues from last year, led by MATSUMOTO Kotaro.
   • Resource Development and the Environment in Western and Central Asia.
     KIMURA Yoshihiro will lead Group 2-B on this project.
   • Resource development and Economic Integration in Central Asia
     To be conducted by SHIMIZU Manabu and Group 2-B.
   • Economic Development and Regional Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
     To be conducted by Group 2-B, under TORII Takashi.
   • Reconsidering the Concept of Iran throughout History.
     KOMAKI Shohei will be in charge of this project, which continues from last year, and will work with joint researchers. Results will be published in The Journal of Sophia Asian Studies, within the academic year.
   • Research Trends in Sufism Studies.
     This project also continues from last year, with TONAGA Yasushi in charge and with the participation of graduate students. It takes the form of research presentations and book reviews.
   • Research Trends in Studies of Islam in Southeast Asia.
     This is another project continuing from last year, with KOBAYASHI Yasuko in charge. It will be conducted in conjunction with the Sufism research project.
   • Research Trends in Syrian Studies
     will be conducted under the leadership of KUROKI Hidemitsu.