The Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh is proud to present the 2009 Toshiba International Foundation Symposium, October 16–17, 2009, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Toshiba International Foundation. The symposium brings together world-class scholars to examine the connections between traditional and modern Japanese culture, modern pop culture in Japan, and the influences modern Japanese culture has in the world today.

The University of Pittsburgh and the Asian Studies Center are especially proud of their longstanding relationship with the Toshiba International Foundation, whose generous assistance has greatly contributed to research and outreach programs at the University. Examples of the efforts made possible by the Toshiba Foundation include book subvention, studies on the globalization of Japanese popular culture, research on modern Japanese society, Noh drama performances, library acquisition of rare and important materials, and the digitalization of resources, to name only a few.

The symposium, “Japan's Cultural Imagination and Its Contribution to the World,” features four scholarly panels. Events held in conjunction with the symposium during the weekend and throughout the 2009 Fall Semester will include a feature length Japanese film with expert commentary, a display of scholarly works by Toshiba grant participants, an anime film series, a reading series for children at the Carnegie Library, a teacher’s workshop focusing on the use of Japanese films in the classroom, and an exhibition at the University Art Gallery co-organized by the curator of the Andy Warhol Museum.

The symposium’s varied program that combines academic presentations with community cultural events is evidence of the depth and breadth to which the Toshiba International Foundation’s vision has taken root in Pittsburgh.

Funding provided by: Toshiba International Foundation, Japan Iron and Steel Federation and Mitsubishi Endowments at the University of Pittsburgh