Call for Applications: FY2026 “Encouraged Research” Program

≪Eligibility≫
・Faculty members of Kanagawa University (generally up to those in their 40s)
・Graduate students enrolled in a doctoral (PhD) program who require research funding to pursue a research topic related to “Nonwritten Cultural Materials”
・Note: Graduate students expected to complete their program in September are not eligible.
・Attendance at the information session is mandatory.
※Applicants who have been selected for the “Kanagawa University Graduate Student Research Grant Program” are not eligible to apply for this program.

≪Information Session≫
April 15, 2026 (Wed), 12:40 PM
(Zoom: The URL will be sent by email after submitting the participation form.)

≪Application Period≫
From April 1, 2026 (Wed), 10:00 AM to May 11, 2026 (Mon), 1:00 PM
(Application documents must arrive by the deadline.)

≪Research Period≫
From June 2026 to the end of February 2027

• Application Forms for the Information Session
• Application Guidelines for the FY2026 Encouraged Research Program

Registration Closed (Event Full)
Registration for the following symposium has been closed as the event has reached capacity.

Symposium
「Canals and Townscapes: Yokohama, Osaka, and London」

Date & Time: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 14:00–18:00
(Doors open at 13:40) Advance registration required

Venue: Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall, Room 1

Organizer: Kanagawa University Research Center for Nonwritten Cultural Materials
Co-organizer: Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall
(1-6 Honcho, Naka Ward, Yokohama)

【Purpose of the Symposium】
Unlike natural rivers, canals are artificial waterways created by human hands. As such, they reflect the intentions of those who built them as well as the social needs that made their construction necessary. The canals of Yokohama are no exception. However, the functions and benefits that canals have provided to society and to people have changed over time. Therefore, it is important to understand canals not only from a regional perspective but also with an awareness of their historical context.

In this symposium, lectures and reports will be presented on the canals of Yokohama, Osaka, and London. Through these presentations and a panel discussion, the symposium aims to explore the multifaceted realities of canals from a broad and interdisciplinary perspective.

• Symposium Flyer (March 14)

The following research meeting was held by Research on the Development of Cities and Architecture in the Open Ports (International Settlements and Foreign Concessions) of East Asia.

Date & Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 15:00–17:30
Venue: In person (Room 5030, Kanagawa University Minato Mirai Campus) + Zoom

• Link

The symposium below was held on December 13, jointly organized by the Research on the Development of Cities and Architecture in the Open Ports (International Settlements and Foreign Concessions) of East Asia at the Research Center for Nonwritten Cultural Materials and the Yokohama Foreign Settlement Research Society.

Symposium:
“Frontiers in Research on the Yokohama Foreign Settlement and the Shanghai Concessions”

Date & Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025, 13:30–16:30 (scheduled)
Venue: Room 1, Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall

• Link

An exhibition event was held at Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall as outlined below.
A mini lecture was also held during the exhibition period.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who visited the exhibition.

「Chinatown Observation Records 2025: A Design Survey of Yokohama Chinatown」

Dates: December 5 (Fri) – December 22 (Mon), 2025
Opening Hours: 10:00–17:00
Venue: Basement Exhibition Room, Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall

• Flyer

Newsletter No. 54 has been released on the Kanagawa University Academic Repository.

• Link

We held a public research seminar inviting researchers from Taiwan and Indonesia.

Date & Time: Sunday, November 23, 2025, 14:00–17:00
(Doors open at 13:30) Admission free

Venue: Room 21, Building 8, Yokohama Campus

• Flyer