About JACS

 

    In May 28th, 1977, the Japanese Society of Canadian Studies, an academic group for Canadian studies, was founded for the first time in Japan. In the following year, it was elevated to the first national organization as Japanese Association for Canadian Studies. In 2009, it celebrated its 30th anniversary. The 30 years of the organization’s history greatly owe to the nine successive presidents in the past, Professors Shinya Banba, Keiichi Hirano, Katsumi Itoh, Mitsuru Konami, Kimitada Miwa, Masako Iino, Takenori Kusano, Fumiaki Kato and Naoharu Fujita. As of April 1st, 2010, I am to assume this honorable position.

     I have served various executive positions for JACS over the years including the vice presidency. JACS is a unique organization that offers an academic place of interdisciplinary research and contributes to raise Japan’s academic standard through its highly specialized knowledge and to promote Canadian studies in Japan. Due to the policy shift brought by the conservative government of Canada in February, 2006, JACS is also required to undergo various organizational changes both in foundational and special business. To be a better academic organization, it is absolutely essential for JACS to receive your support and the cooperation. It is necessary to set up a new target based on the long and persistent efforts accumulated by the predecessors.

    However, our operating policies of the organization should convert greatly by "Understanding Canada Program" that is a new policy of the current Canadian government. How can JACS in the future be able to maintain a healthy management to grow further? What kind of quality services can it provide for the members to stimulate the growth? Those may become important indicators to sustain an academic institution such as ours. This new administration should inherit a “planning and advisory board” by the principal member of the organization to deal with the new system that oblige us to manage the organization and execute the given budget at the very limit of what is permissible within a fiscal year. Under such conditions, I intend to maintain JACS as an attractive academic organization for the members as well as others, while I would also like to see a growth in the academic relations with overseas organizations which should enhance Canadian studies in Japan. To achieve this, I am planning to erect an advisory committee to conduct a feasibility study on publishing a new academic magazine in European languages, in addition to the Annual Review of Canadian Studies. 　Moreover, I will feel the necessity for promoting new researchers in the field, while referring them to “Encouragement Prize” and “PANCS.” It is also imperative for all the regional branches to be innovative and effective under the constrained budget. There will be various obstacles to make all those possible, but I feel we must do whatever we can to enhance Canadian Studies in this country. 　I ask for your understanding and cooperation.

    The new headquarter will be in Osaka Gakuin University. Under the coordination and guidance of three vice-presidents, Yuki Shimomura, Toshihiko Iwasaki and Nobuyuki Sato, Kazuyuki Fukunishi, Tomoki Niiyama and Eriko Tomotake will serve as the administrative staffs.