The Sakura Science Exchange Program, an initiative of Japan’s industry, academia, and government, continues to promote global academic exchanges in science and technology. Recently, the program has expanded to include humanities and social sciences, which is a sign of a broader approach to international academic collaboration. As part of this effort, The University of Tokyo has played a pivotal role in facilitating intellectual and cultural engagement between Japan and India.

Traditionally, Japan-India academic exchanges were mainly science and engineering-oriented. However, being aware of the increasing scope of research fields in India, Takahiro Kato, associate professor in the Department of Indian Philosophy and Buddhist Studies at The University of Tokyo, said that humanities and social sciences should also be part of these exchanges. “A complete academic exchange is required,” he said, explaining that the university is always looking for new dimensions in research and meaningful dialogue among disciplines.

The Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology at The University of Tokyo has been leading this initiative, trying to bring the most advanced scientific and technological advances into the study of humanities and social sciences. In such an interdisciplinary context, students and researchers alike get an opportunity to engage in new methodologies that are cutting-edge, beyond the limitations of the conventional academic world. As per Professor Kato, the program is meant to inspire participants to envision the future trajectory of these disciplines and their intersections with modern science and technology.

In 2024, the Sakura Science Exchange Program organized a series of special lectures and discussions, providing Indian students with a platform to delve into advanced research topics. Some of the major sessions included researches on Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures with 3D modeling, explorations of peace and compassion through Eastern perspectives and brain informatics, and digital humanities lectures. Applied research discussions on Devanagari OCR technology and text database utilization were also engaged upon, reflecting on the integration of technology into humanities.

Cultural exchange was another key ingredient of the program, whereby students from Japan were given the opportunity to gain and learn from their counterparts in India. Mutual understanding and appreciation was deepened as a result, further cementing academic and cultural ties between both countries. The convergence of knowledge and culture thus not only expanded participants’ academic perceptions but also broadened their global knowledge and awareness.

The Sakura Science Exchange Program offers two formats: the Open Application Program and the JST Direct Invitation Program. The Open Application Program spans seven days to three weeks, while the JST Direct Invitation Program is a seven-day initiative. Within the Open Application Program, the Annual Mutual Exchange Course targets India and African countries, aiming to promote year-round academic and cultural interaction through hybrid exchanges. The activities can either be physical or online, with some exchange lasting up to 90 days.

The application for the 2024 intake has been closed, but the information on the schedule for the 2025 intake is available on the official website of Sakura Science Exchange. The continuous program aims to highlight Japan’s focus on creating global cooperation, not only in science and technology but also in the growing fields of humanities and social sciences.