Twitter • Instagram • LinkedIn • Threads • Facebook • Published 5/22/2024

CJS held its 8th Bento Box event on Monday, May 20, 2024 from 3:30p – 5:00p in the Tokioka Room. This special bento box featured Japan-studies scholars exploring the cultural, social, and political impacts of significant protest movements in Japan in the 1960s. Dr. Patricia Steinhoff, retired Professor of Sociology and former Director of the UH Mānoa Center for Japanese Studies, particiapted as a discussant to close the session. Special thanks to our presenters, Dr. Steinhoff, and Mitsutaka Nakamura, Japan Studies Librarian at UH Mānoa Hamilton Library for organizing this event.

Dr. Adam Manfredi presenting at Bento Box 08

Dr. Adam Manfredi, who completed his Ph.D. in Japanese and Comparative Literature at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, presented “Murakami Haruki and Japan’s 1968,” explored how Murakami Haruki’s early novels challenge the narrative of failure surrounding Japan’s 1968 student protests.

David Wallace presenting at Bento Box 08

Davice Wallace, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, presented “Decades of Resistance: Method and Motivation in the Struggle Against New Tokyo International Airport (1964-Present),” explored the Sanrizuka Struggle, where farming families and leftist students united against the construction of Narita Airport.

CJS Director Mark Levin with Japan Studies Librarian Mitsutaka Nakamura

The CJS Bento Box series provides opportunities for CJS graduate students to present their research in a more informal setting, with their friends in the audience, and everyone having an opportunity to listen to the presentations while enjoying food and refreshments.

This event is held generally once every semester. If you are interested in presenting at the next one, please contact cjs@hawaii.edu.