REPORTS

Report on the 1st BAIRAL Research Meeting for 2024
“Challenges Facing Racial and Cultural Minorities in Japan and Creating Opportunities for Intercultural Dialogue”

Priya Mu (Research Assistant, B’AI Global Forum)

・Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 5:00 – 6:30 pm (JST)
・Venue: Online Via Zoom
・Language: Japanese
・Guest Speaker: Naomi Iwazawa (Doctoral Student, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo)
・Moderator: Priya Mu (Research assistant of the B’AI Global Forum)
(Click here for details on the event)

The 1st BAIRAL research meeting for 2024 was held on May 28, 2024. This time, we invited Naomi Iwazawa, who is a Doctoral student at the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, to speak on the theme of “Challenges Facing Racial and Cultural Minorities in Japan and Creating Opportunities for Intercultural Dialogue.”

This lecture focused on the challenges of intercultural understanding and diversity in Japan, incorporating the speaker’s personal experiences. The discussion highlighted the difficulties of identity formation and intercultural communication in Japanese society from the perspective of cultural and racial minorities. Drawing from her childhood, university life, and the establishment of intercultural exchange projects, the speaker emphasized the importance of intercultural sensitivity and dialogue, which she learned through various encounters with prejudice and challenges.

The lecture also addressed the practice of diversity management in education and workplaces, particularly in relation to ethical issues arising from advancements in AI and new technologies. The speaker stressed that designing educational programs to deepen intercultural understanding, overcoming stereotypes, and respecting individual identities are essential steps toward building a sustainable multicultural society.