Soga Japan Center Special Talk: Three Questions for Japan in Michigan: Where, Who and What?

"Three Questions for Japan in Michigan: Where, Who and What?"

Join us for a special talk with Consul General of Japan in Detroit, Hajime “Jimmy” Kishimori, as he shares insights into Japan’s presence and contributions in Michigan. From business and industry to cultural exchange and community connections, this talk will explore how Japan and Michigan continue to shape one another through shared partnerships and people-to-people ties

Kishimori,'s talk, "Three Questions for Japan in Michigan: Where, Who and What?" is hosted by the Soga Japan Center, a part of the  Haenicke Institute for Global Education's Asian Initiatives. The event will take place at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 22, in Sangren Hall Room 1910. The lecture is free and open to the public. No registration required.

"Streaming Samurai: Historical Japan in Contemporary Media"

A second talk will be held Nov. 6 at 3:30 p.m. in Brown Hall, Room 3025. "Streaming Samurai: Historical Japan in Contemporary Media" is presented by Dr. Ethan Segal, associate professor from Michigan State University. 

Although the age of samurai ended more than 150 years ago, medieval Japanese warriors continue to fascinate people today as characters in video games, movies and on television. This talk analyzes the depiction of samurai in three recent streaming shows: “Shōgun” (2024), “Blue Eye Samurai” (2023) and “Age of Samurai” (2021). Can they promote historical understanding while conveying entertaining stories? How do they balance accuracy with viewer expectations? 

What does their popularity reveal about Western ideas of Japan? This talk explores these and related questions of historical authenticity, spectatorship and reception, and the stakes inherent in the transposition of contemporary issues onto historical but fictionalized settings.