Review, prospects and challenges of research on Japanese philosophy
In 2001, the "research group on Nishida and his contemporaries" began its activities within the
Centre d'Études Japonaises at Inalco. In 2004, around the same core of initial researchers augmented by
doctoral students, it took the name of "research group on philosophy in modern Japan", in order to
represent a broader research horizon. Finally, in 2012, it began a new page by choosing its
current name, meant to represent its specificity in the landscape of philosophy in France. The aim is therefore to
look back on 25 years of continuity and evolution of work and of a group around its regular seminar, with
in the meantime more than ten young researchers who have completed their thesis while being assiduous and dynamic members, and
take stock of it, in order to better prepare for the future. How can we trace the history of the group and its evolution,
measure its contribution to work on Japanese philosophy in France, or sometimes, with testimonials from
former or guest members, to the landscape of academic philosophy in Japan itself? And on the basis of this
assessment, how can we ask ourselves again: about the questions of method, stakes and substance raised by
philosophering on Japan, on Japanese thought, or from Japan? What prospects for the future, what axes
and direction for this field of study?
Program
Friday, June 20, 2025
Accueil du public : 13h45
Panel 1 : 14h - 15h30 "25 ans d'activités du GEPJ : récit et compte-rendu" (en forme de table ronde)
A. Kuroda (2001-2004, the research group on Nishida and his contemporaries, CEJ)
T. Saitô (2004-2012, the research group on philosophy in Modern Japan, CEJ)
T. Saitô, S. Ebersolt, A. Mitteau (2012-2025, the Japanese philosophy study group, CEJ/IFRAE)
Coffee break: 15:30 -15:50
Panel 2: 15:50-18:00
"Philosopher of Japan: methods and issues"
M. Lucken: "D'ici, de l'Amérique et du Japon: petit essai d'histoire philosophique"
T. Hoquet: "De l'acte de philosopher, du Japon ou d'ailleurs"
A. Mitteau: "De l'universel comme une page blanche, ou un brouillon - Philosophie continentale et études
orientales"
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Panel 1: 10am-11am"Passing through the GEJP then contributing to the world of philosophy in Japan"
Y. Kuwayama"Philosophizing while breathing or breathing while philosophizing? : an outline of the philosophy of
breathing since Nishida Kitarô" (in French, 30 minutes)
M. Imono "Some remarks on the Japanese philosophy study group" (in Japanese, 20
minutes）
Coffee break: 11:00-11:30
11:30-12:30
A. Sevilla-Liu: "Learning at INALCO and Nishida's Philosophy of Education" (30min. in English)
M. Uehara: "Teaching and Research in the Department of Japanese Philosophy at the University
of Kyôto" (zoom, time in Japan 19h, 30 min. en fr.)
Lunch break: 12:30 pm - 2 pm
Panel 2: 2 pm - 5 pm "Philosophy and the Japanese language"
E. Lozerand: "The philosophical exercise of the Japanese language"
A. Kuroda: "Stratigraphic analysis of texts - prolegomena to a future ethics in Watsuji
Tetsurô"
T. Saitô: "The four sources of the construction of philosophical terms according to Ueda Shizuteru: 場所le
lieu, ⼆重世界内存在l being in the doubled world, 虚空space and 限開 infinite openness"
