International Research Center for Japanese Studies Visiting Research Scholars

The International Research Center for Japanese Studies is one of the constituent institutions of the National Institutes for the Humanities, which was established as an Inter-University Research Institute Corporation under a law effective April 2004. Founded in May 1987 as an inter-university research institute of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, this Center seeks to promote comprehensive, international, and interdisciplinary research on Japanese culture, and to foster cooperation among researchers in Japanese studies worldwide. In order to broaden and deepen research on Japanese culture and bring together researchers in a variety of specialized fields, the Center regularly appoints a number of scholars from around the world as Visiting Research Scholars.

The Center invites applications from scholars who wish to conduct research while in residence here. Visiting Research Scholars are expected to engage in collaborative activity with the Center's permanent faculty by, for example, participating in at least one of our team research projects (kyōdō kenkyū).

Number of Openings

Multiple positions.

Obligations

Visiting Research Scholars are free to carry out their individual research, but must join in at least one team research project.
They are required to submit a report about trends in Japanese Studies in their country.
They are required to submit one article to either of the two Nichibunken journals, Japan Review(in English) or Nihon Kenkyū (in Japanese).

Qualifications and eligibility

Researchers who are not older than 65 years when the research period begins are eligible to apply. We especially welcome applications from young researchers.

Applicants should meet either one of the following criteria.

• (1) Researchers of any nationality employed by a foreign university or other foreign research institution in possession of a doctoral degree.
• (2) Those whom the Director-General deems to have qualifications or research ability equivalent to those in (1) above.

In considering applications from scholars who have been previously a Visiting Research Scholar, we may take into account the time that has lapsed since the completion of their last research period.

Proposed duration of stay (Research period)

We are now accepting applications from the Visiting Research Scholar candidates for the fiscal year 2025 (April 1, 2025～March 31, 2026), expected to start their stay on a date within this period. The stay must be for a minimum of three (3) months but not exceed the maximum of twelve (12) months. (It is possible for a period of stay to extend into the following fiscal year.) Along with a first preference for a period of stay, please indicate a second preferred period.
Examples:
Apr. 1, 2025 ～ Mar. 31, 2026 (for one year)
Jan. 1, 2026 ～ Dec. 31, 2026 (for one year)
Mar. 1, 2026 ～ Jan. 31, 2027 (for eleven months)

Salary and conditions

(1) The Visiting Research Scholar's salary will be determined on the basis of salary regulations and will reflect the Visiting Research Scholar's seniority. It will be paid on the appointed day each month.
Examples:
- About 500,000 yen per month: (Approximately 10 years of teaching and research experience, with more than a 6-month period of stay at Nichibunken)
- About 600,000 yen per month: (Approximately 20 years of teaching and research experience, with more than a 6-month period of stay at Nichibunken)
- About 700,000 yen per month: (Approximately 30 years of teaching and research experience, with more than a 6-month period of stay at Nichibunken)
※Bear in mind that the salaries shown above are only examples and may be subject to change.

(2) Roundtrip travel expenses will be paid according to a rate stipulated in the regulations.

(3) A research allowance (including a domestic research travel expense allowance) will be disbursed to each Visiting Research Scholar.

(4) The Center's library, computers, and other facilities, including an individual research room, will be made available for the use of the Visiting Research Scholar, in the same way as for a regular full-time employee of the Center.

(5) Visiting Research Scholars have opportunities for presentation of research findings in seminars, public lectures, and the Nichibunken Forum.

(6) Housing accommodations will be available on the site of the Center, for those who wish to use them. (There are charges for the use of these facilities.)

Application procedure

Submit the application documents (see below) as e-mail attachments to the address given below. You will receive immediate e-mail confirmation of their arrival.　If you do not receive confirmation, please mail us at vrsinquiry@nichibun.ac.jp. Alternatively, you may contact us by telephone or fax.

Application documents must be in the format of:

a. PDF file

b. MS Word file

(Application Documents)
① Application Form
② Letter of Recommendation (One copy)

Application deadline

Application materials must reach the Center before the midnight (Japan time) on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Results

All the applicants will be notified of the results by e-mail before the end of March, 2024.

Address for the Application

Application form only:
shinseivrs*nichibun.ac.jp (Replace * with @)

Inquiries concerning application:
vrsinquiry*nichibun.ac.jp (Replace * with @)

International Research Center for Japanese Studies
Research Cooperation Section
3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 610-1192, Japan
Phone: +81(0)75-335-2041 Fax: +81(0)75-335-2092