Activities

ICServ (International Conference of Serviceology) 2025 

Green Economy and Service Innovation: Shaping the Future of Business and Society, December 1-3, 2025

The three-day conference was jointly organized by Society for Serviceology and hosted by EIJS. More than 80 participants attended, and 48 papers were presented during the conference. H. E. Mr. Hideaki Mizukoshi, Ambassador of Japanese Embassy attended the event and delivered welcome address. The keynote speeches were given by Micael Dahlen, SSE and Christian Kowalkowski, Linköping. Rasmus Rahm, Program Director of Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES), also gave a talk about SSES-a global platform for interdisciplinary entrepreneurship. 
The conference concluded with a company visit to Ericsson. 

Mirai Winter School, November 17-22, 2024

EIJS organized Mirai Global Challenges Winter School for PhD students and junior researchers from Mirai member universities from Japan and Sweden, November 17–November 22. The Winter School was a first collaboration between Kyushu University and EIJS/SSE. The initiative was partly supported by Scandinavia Japan Sasakawa Foundation. It brought together 28 PhD students and young researchers spanning the academic disciplines of MIRAI. Half of the participants came from Japanese universities. The PhD course covered different aspects of Japan-Sweden-EU collaboration.

Networking Conference Scandinavia Japan Sasakawa Foundation (SJSF), November 20-22, 2025

Japanese Studies Networking Conference “Contemporary Japanese Studies in the Nordics: Taking stock and looking forward”, November 20-22. This conference was part of the 5-year Nordic research program that has been supported by Scandinavia Japan Sasakawa Foundation. It brought together about 60 scholars including both senior researchers and PhD students. 

EAMSA Conference, November 22–25, 2023

The European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) hosted the 39th annual conference of the Euro-Asia Management Studies Association (EAMSA). EAMSA is a platform for academic exchange on economic and management issues and organizes an annual conference, alternating between Europe and Asia. The previous conference was held at Keio University in Tokyo.

The theme of the conference was “Europe and Asia in the Green Economy – Dynamics and Implications.” The conference covered areas such as business, economics, economic geography, and innovation, with a focus on Asia and Europe. The program also included a corporate panel on digitalization and the green economy transition, as well as a visit to Ericsson’s head office.

NAJS Conference, June 15–16, 2023

The 17th annual conference of the Nordic Association for the Study of Contemporary Japanese Studies (NAJS) was organized by the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) and held at the Stockholm School of Economics.

NAJS was established in 2002 to provide a cross-border network for research on various aspects of modern and contemporary Japan. The annual two-day conference is the association’s main activity, where researchers and doctoral students gather to discuss research and share information and experiences.

KAS–EJARN Conference, November 8, 2019

The joint conference with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Japan office and the European Japan Advanced Research Network (EJARN) was held in Tokyo on November 8, 2019. The title of the conference was “Really getting things done?”

The EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the EU–Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) were concluded in 2018 and entered the implementation phase. The conference discussed the concrete steps the EU and Japan have taken to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and synergies. The purpose of the conference was to advance this process and propose next steps.

EJARN Conference, June 7–8, 2019

The European Japan Advanced Research Network’s (EJARN) annual conference, titled “The Future of European Union–Japan Relations: Common Challenges, Common Responses,” took place at INALCO in Paris on June 7–8. The conference was hosted by IFRAE, the Institut français de recherche sur l'Asie de l'Est (French Institute on East Asian Research).

A group of leading scholars and officials from Europe and Japan attended the conference and presented analyses of the future of EU–Japan relations.

Opening remarks were delivered on June 7 by Yoshihiro Higuchi, minister at the Japanese Embassy in France, and Frédéric Grare, advisor at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On June 8, opening remarks were delivered by Toshihiko Horiuchi, minister at the Japanese Embassy in France; Roland Honekamp, desk officer for Japan at the European External Action Service; and Fabien Fieschi of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Joint Symposium on Innovation Ecosystem, May 16, 2019

A joint symposium on innovation ecosystem was held on May 16 in Tokyo, Japan. The symposium was titled “A Key to Successful Innovation: Lessons from Swedish and Japanese Start-up Practices.” It was jointly organized by the Institute of Innovation Research at Hitotsubashi University, the House of Innovation, and the European Institute of Japanese Studies at the Stockholm School of Economics.

The event was well attended and demonstrated how Swedish and Japanese startups, governments, and academia can come together to explore the future of innovation and its impact on everyday life.

EJARN Conference, June 8–9, 2018

On June 8–9, the EJARN conference “EU–Japan Future Partnership: Ready for the Big Bang?” was held in Stockholm.

The year marked the ten-year anniversary of the European Japan Advanced Research Network (EJARN). The annual conference returned to Stockholm, where the network’s activities were first initiated. During the first five years, the conference was held in Stockholm; it has since rotated to locations across Europe, including Paris, Trondheim, Pavia, Warwick, and Frankfurt.

In addition to EJARN’s ten-year anniversary, 2018 also marked 150 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sweden.

A group of distinguished guests and keynote speakers attended, including leading scholars as well as European and Japanese officials. Jun Yamazaki, ambassador of Japan to Sweden, delivered welcome remarks, as did Lars Ågren, senior executive vice president at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Meeting Point Japan, February 19, 2018

The European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) hosted “Meeting Point Japan 2018” on February 19 in collaboration with the Sweden-Japan Foundation and Business Sweden.

The event was a seminar and networking opportunity for professionals and individuals with an interest in Japan from business, academia, and government.

Speakers for the session “Opportunities in a Changing Business Environment” included Toshiyuki Shiga of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd and Innovation Network Corporation, Jacob Wallenberg of Investor AB, and Carl Lagercrantz of Northvolt AB.

The year 2018 marked 150 years of diplomatic relations between Sweden and Japan. Jun Yamazaki, ambassador of Japan to Sweden, and Magnus Robach, ambassador of Sweden, presented upcoming events to be held in both countries. Cecilia Leiram of Business Sweden spoke about the future of Swedish–Japanese business relations and the Sweden–Japan Business Summit in Tokyo in April.

The event concluded with a reception and networking session attended by approximately 200 participants.

EIJS 25th anniversary celebration, September 28, 2017

A special celebration took place on September 28, beginning with a seminar in which EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström presented the new EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which at the time had been agreed in principle. The seminar was moderated by Marie Söderberg, director of the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS), and Professor Axel Berkofsky of the University of Pavia served as discussant.

At the reception that followed, Ann Linde, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, reflected on the implications of the agreement for Sweden. Lars Ågren, Executive Vice President at the Stockholm School of Economics, highlighted the importance of the European Institute of Japanese Studies for the School and beyond. Ambassador Magnus Vahlquist gave participants a glimpse into the early days of fundraising, and Ambassador Jun Yamazaki congratulated the European Institute of Japanese Studies on its 25th anniversary and elaborated on the agreement from a Japanese perspective.

Seminar by EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström "We believe in building bridges, not walls", September 28, 2017

H.E. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström held a seminar explaining the Economic Partnership Agreement that was concluded in principle between the EU and Japan in the summer of 2017. The seminar was held in connection with the 25th anniversary of the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) at the Stockholm School of Economics.

"This agreement is of enormous economic importance, but beyond that it is also a way of bringing us closer together. We want to show that the EU and Japan, as democratic and global partners, believe in free trade. We believe in building bridges, not walls," said the commissioner.

The seminar, held at the Stockholm School of Economics on September 28, was fully attended. It was moderated by Professor Marie Söderberg, director of the European Institute of Japanese Studies. Professor Axel Berkofsky of the University of Pavia served as discussant. The commissioner answered a number of questions concerning transparency as well as the way forward for the agreement.

The Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, Ann Linde, also attended the reception after the seminar and gave a speech on the implications of the agreement for Sweden. She noted that Japan was Sweden’s third-largest trading partner outside the EU and that the agreement is likely to further promote trade between Sweden and Japan.

Regarding the 25th anniversary of the European Institute of Japanese Studies, Director Marie Söderberg said, "We are very proud that we have been able to serve as a link between the EU and Japan for such a long time, and that we can now see that our efforts have produced results."

EJARN conference, June 9–10, 2017

The European Japan Advanced Research Network (EJARN) organized a two-day conference at Goethe University in Frankfurt on June 9–10. This year’s theme was “Monetary policy in Japan and Europe.” The first day of the conference focused on keynote presentations related to monetary policy, while the second day covered a broader range of topics.

The conference attracted more than 60 speakers, scholars, and invited guests, including policymakers, business sector representatives, and students.

EIJS and GRIPS Development Forum seminar, March 16, 2017

The European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) Development Forum organized a joint seminar in Tokyo titled “Can Japanese development cooperation tell us something about regional and global change?”

The seminar marked the release of the book Japanese Development Cooperation: The Making of an Aid Architecture Pivoting to Asia (eds. Andre Asplund and Marie Söderberg, Routledge, Oxon and New York, 2017).

Marie Söderberg (EIJS), Yasutami Shimomura (Hosei University), Yoneyuki Sugita (Osaka University), and Izumi Ohno (GRIPS), all contributors to the book, gave short presentations of their perspectives.

EJARN and JFI joint conference, December 11–12, 2016

The European Japan Advanced Research Network (EJARN) and the Japan Futures Initiative (JFI), a Canadian organization modeled after EJARN, organized a joint conference in Tokyo on December 11–12. The conference, entitled “Japan’s future: international reflections on the prospects for a ‘new Meiji transformation,’” brought together around 20 senior scholars from Europe and Canada.

Together with Japanese colleagues, participants discussed possible developments and future pathways for Japan. The results of the conference will be presented in a forthcoming book.

Workshop, November 17–18, 2016

The workshop “A changing aid paradigm: development cooperation pivoting to Asia” was organized by Stockholm University’s Forum for Asian Studies in cooperation with the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS).

The workshop featured 18 speakers, both academics and practitioners, from across Asia as well as Europe and the United States. In addition to the participants, an audience of around 25 people attended.

The workshop resulted in the formation of a new network of scholars working on development cooperation in Asia. This network is expected to lead to further collaborative projects in the future.

EJARN conference, June 16–17, 2016

The European Japan Advanced Research Network’s (EJARN) annual conference, entitled “European–Japan relations: settled bilaterally or governed by influences from the US and China,” took place in the UK on June 16–17. The conference was hosted by Professor Christopher Hughes and the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at the University of Warwick.

The conference brought together a notable group of specialists on Japan and EU–Japan relations from Europe and Japan, as well as European and Japanese officials directly involved in these issues. The results of the conference will be presented in a forthcoming book.

EJARN conference, June 4–5, 2015

The European Japan Advanced Research Network (EJARN) conference was held at the University of Pavia. The conference was titled “The EU and Japan: state, obstacles, and prospects of political and economic trade relations.”

The first day focused on EU–Japan relations in trade and economics. A group of leading scholars from Europe and Japan participated, along with European and Japanese officials directly involved in negotiating the EU–Japan agreements. Through this combination of academic and policy perspectives, the conference presented a broad range of views and analyses on the future of EU–Japan relations and cooperation in trade, economics, politics, and security.

The second day covered various issues on Japan’s foreign and security policy agenda, with leading Japanese and European scholars and officials presenting their analyses of these developments.

Conference on EU–Japan trade, March 13, 2015

On March 13, 2015, the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) organized a conference on EU–Japan trade at the Stockholm School of Economics.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström was one of the speakers, and the ongoing negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and Japan were the main topic. Chief negotiators on both sides—Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yasumasa Nagamine and Deputy Director-General for Trade at the European Commission Mauro Petriccione—participated in both presentations and a lively discussion.

A number of high-level scholars contributed by analyzing the issue from various angles. Compared to previous conferences where trade issues had been discussed, the event suggested that some progress had been made.

EJARN conference, June 16–17, 2014

The European Japan Advanced Research Network (EJARN) held its annual conference on June 16–17 in Trondheim, Norway. This year’s theme was “Approaches to renewable energy and energy security in Europe and Japan: political and economic dimensions.”

Marie Söderberg, chair of the EJARN Executive Committee, opened the conference together with Kari Melby, Pro-Rector for Research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and Paul Midford, program director of the NTNU Japan Program.

The keynote address, “Japan’s policy toward Europe,” was delivered by Ambassador Jiro Okuyama, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Mission of Japan to the EU. He was followed by Erling Rimestad, Deputy Director General of the Section for East Asia and Oceania at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (now Norwegian Ambassador to Tokyo), who spoke on “Norway’s relationship with Japan.”

EJARN conference, June 24–25, 2013

This year’s European Japan Advanced Research Network (EJARN) conference, “Towards stronger and deeper relations between Japan and the EU,” was held in Paris. It took place at a particularly relevant time, as negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and the EU had just begun in Tokyo, alongside parallel negotiations for a binding political agreement.

The first day of the conference was held at the OECD headquarters and brought together business leaders, policymakers, and scholars. The second day took the form of a traditional academic workshop, held at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in the Amphithéâtre François Furet, with formal presentations, prepared comments by appointed discussants, and in-depth discussions.

Symposium, October 15, 2012

The symposium “Lessons from Sweden on the global financial crisis: financial consolidation and reforms” was held in Tokyo in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Japan and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).

Anders Borg, Swedish Minister for Finance, delivered the keynote address.

EIJS–EJARN conference, June 14–15, 2012

An international conference entitled “Japan – what’s next?” was held in Stockholm.

The first day focused on developments in EU–Japan relations in both political and economic areas. In addition to academic speakers with expertise in the field, the conference included officials from both the EU and Japan. The second day took the form of a traditional academic workshop.

PhD program on Asian business and economy launched in 2012

This program was designed and implemented in close cooperation with the Swedish business community. The first PhD candidates entered the program in the fall of 2012, with Volvo Trucks, Ericsson, and Carl Bennet AB (CBAB) as sponsors.

The candidates are part of an “Asian group” clustered in close collaboration with the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) and the Stockholm China Economic Research Institute (SCERI), forming the core of an Asian academic hub at the Stockholm School of Economics. In addition to the regular PhD curriculum at the School, the program includes Asia-related seminars and other activities in which the candidates participate.

Seminar, January 24, 2012

A seminar by Professor Eiji Ogawa of Hitotsubashi University on “Monetary cooperation in East Asia: anything to learn from the euro crisis?” was organized in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Stockholm.

Seminar, February 23, 2012

A seminar on “Asian integration and the role of Japan” was held in Tokyo in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Japan. Yasuo Fukuda, former prime minister of Japan and chair of the Boao Forum for Asia, delivered the keynote address.

EIJS–EJARN conference, June 9–10, 2011

On June 9–10, the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS), in cooperation with the European Japan Advanced Research Network (EJARN), organized a conference entitled “Japan – what’s next?”

In addition to academic speakers from EJARN and Japan, participants included officials from the European External Action Service and the Directorate-General for Trade at the European Commission, as well as representatives from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.

The papers presented at the conference were published as a special issue of Japan Forum (Volume 24, Number 3, September 2012).