The 3rd Research Seminar of the Association for Japanese Language Education Overseas (KG-NK) was successfully held on 7th and 8th March 2026 at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Languages, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, under the theme “Weaving Japanese Language Education Across Borders.”
The Faculty was privileged to serve as the logistical supporter of this prestigious international seminar, which marked the second occasion in the Association’s fourteen-year history that the event was held outside Japan.
The seminar was honored by the presence of distinguished guests including Prof. Ryushi Mihara, President of the Association for Japanese Language Education Overseas and Professor at Ryukoku University, and Katsuyuki Arai, from Asahi University, Vice-President of the same association.
The event was further enriched by the participation of several esteemed academics and scholars, including Prof.Yuko Yamato from Osaka University, Prof. Prabath Kanduboda from Ritsumeikan University, Dr. Samanthika Lokugamage from University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Dr. Udara De Silva from University of Kelaniya, and Ms. Hong Pham from Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
One of the most engaging highlights of the seminar was the Poster Presentation Session conducted by the fourth-year undergraduates of the Japanese Studies programme at the Department of Languages, showcasing their academic research and innovative perspectives in the field of Japanese language education.
The seminar provided an excellent platform for scholarly dialogue, knowledge sharing, and professional networking among researchers, educators, and students engaged in Japanese language education and it significantly contributed to strengthening the longstanding friendship and cultural ties between Japan and Sri Lanka, fostering greater academic and intercultural collaboration between the two nations.
