Special Issue on Decolonising Japanese Studies – Introduction

Japanese Studies, like all academic disciplines, can and must exist in a state of flux, the pace of which can flow at times slowly, at other times rapidly. 2025 is perhaps one of those times for a quickening of the pace of change, spurred on by various factors: broader changes in the higher education environment in the UK; the domestic economy of Japan; and, as ever, the interests and motivations of those academics focusing on Japan as a site of study (be they students, early career researchers, or those in tenured positions). What fascinates and energises us about Japan morphs and takes on new directions and avenues of pursuit, a pursuit shaped by the world around us, but also, increasingly, by a better comprehension of our own positionalities.