On Friday, July 4, 2014, a graduate student seminar was held at GHC for the first time. Two Princeton University PhD students, both visiting researchers at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, gave presentations dealing with the research topics on which they are presently writing their dissertations. 15 plus participants joined the seminar. Those attending were UTokyo graduate and post-graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and visiting researchers.

Focusing on the words “science” and “technology” as they were employed by Japanese intellectuals between the 1920s and 1945, Qingyuan Lei discussed how Japanese people attempted to use these words – in which contexts and with what meanings – conscious as they were of Japan’s position in the world at that time.

Elijah Greenstein discussed his research into Japan’s international maritime industry at the beginning of the 20th century. He is looking at various relationships between shipbuilding, management, ocean routes, insurance, governments, etc. from a global historical standpoint and with the intention of using the NYK Line type “T” fleets during the World War One period as a case study.

Both presenters dealt with issues concerning “Japan” that remain relevant today. For this reason, many questions and ideas were raised during a lively open discussion that exceeded the 30 minutes allotted to it. For all who took part, this was a significant seminar, and GHC will continue to organize graduate student seminars with researchers visiting us from overseas.