Last week, five Asian Studies graduate students presented at the annual School of Pacific and Asian Studies Conference, held at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. This year's conference was hosted on-campus at the Center for Korean Studies. The theme of this year's conference was "Weaving Webs: Encounters, Exchanges, and Emerging Worlds in Asia." This conference sought to rethink Asia as a dynamic web of relations where many fields of study intersect to shape new possibilities for knowledge & life.
For photos of our presenters and others from the conference, please visit our department Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/204438082@N04/albums/
The first presenter from the Department of Asian Studies was first-year MAIA candidate Taylah Castle, who presented her work entitled, “The Compelling Nature of the East: Afro-Diasporic Influencers in China and the Social Media Reimagining of Post-Western Futures." In addition to being an Asian Studies student, Taylah is a Student Affiliate at the East-West Center. Her academic concentration is in Chinese Studies with particular interests surrounding China's approach to development in the Global South, in addition to China-Africa relations. She has also learned Mandarin and studied abroad in Shanghai, believing that language learning is the bridge to cultural understanding. Taylah graduated from New York University in 2024 with a BA in International Relations and a Minor in Chinese.
The next presenter from the Department of Asian Studies was Saung Yanant Pyae Kyaw, who presented her work entitled, “The Scamdemic: The Threat of Non-Traditional Security and the Rise of Southeast Asia’s Digital Scam Syndicates.” Saung, like Taylah, is also a Student Affiliate at the East-West Center. Her research focuses on the illicit economy and the intervention of state actors, especially in Southeast Asia.
The next presenter from the Department of Asian Studies was first-year MAAS student Iroha Mochida, who presented her work on, “Reconnecting to Amami Culture: Shimauta Experience of Late Learners." Iroha's hard work on her paper earned her a monetary award from the Center for Japanese Studies, which was presented at the close of the SPAS conference. The department is very proud of Iroha, especially as this was her first academic conference. Iroha is no stranger to the department, having earned a BA in Asian Studies from UHM in Spring 2021. After returning to her hometown, the Amami Islands, she worked as a news writer for four years. During her work as a journalist, she covered a wide range of topics and published articles, particularly specializing in education, traditional culture, and local town politics. Her current focus as a master's student is on Japan Studies, aiming to research folk music and culture of the Amami Islands.
The next presenter from the Department of Asian Studies was second-year MAAS student Alex Nam, who presented their work on, “Hierarchy of Belonging: Bureaucratic Exclusion in Japan’s Non-Immigration State." Inspired by their study abroad experience at Waseda University, their research focuses on human rights and minority issues in Japan, with a particular interest in the intersection of legal status and national identity. Currently, Alex is examining the structural exclusion of marginalized communities, including Zainichi Koreans and Burakumin. This work aims to contribute to broader discussions on citizenship, belonging, and the state management of diversity in Japan.
The final presenter from the Department of Asian Studies was second-year MAIA student Edgardo Diaz Vega, who presented his work on, “Patterns of Authoritarian Repression in Myanmar and Thailand (2021-2025)." Edgardo is completing his master's degree at UHM with the support of a Graduate Degree Fellowship through the East-West Center. His research is primarily on Southeast Asia, with particular attention to Thailand and Myanmar. His work addresses a wide range of topics, covering mass media, politics, and conflicts with a transnational focus.