These newsletters are a good way to keep up on a whole variety of current events and trends in Japanese studies. Note that many of them do not seem to be available in the library, so you must either obtain them on your own, or find someone who has them. SUGGESTIONS FOR ADDITIONS TO THE LIST ARE WELCOME.

CONTENTS

I.  Newsletters that Come with Membership in Various Organizations

Asian Studies Newsletter.
ATJ Newsletter.
I.H.J. Bulletin.
Japan Society Newsletter.
Japanese Religions Bulletin.

The Japan Foundation Newsletter.
Nichibunken Newsletter.
MOA Folio.

Japan Political Research: An Annual Review.
Newsletter East Asian Art and Archaeology.

Asian Studies Newsletter. Quarterly, plus the Annual Meeting program. Comes with AAS membership, the dues for which are based on your gross income, the lowest (under $20,000 income per year) being $25; you also receive the Journal of Asian Studies. Or you can become a "supporting member" for $15 a year, and receive only the newsletter.
Call no.: DS501.A85 (under "Association for Asian Studies. Newsletter), current issues in Starr reference room next to JAS.

USES: Essential reading to keep up with the profession as a whole. For graduate students, the most relevant section will probably be the listings of job openings (currently called the "Professional Personnel Registry," which allows listings not only for employers, but also for candidates, the later for a mere $2.50 per issue). Also includes news of the Association (including information on the Annual Meeting, held normally in March), announcements of exhibits, films, conferences, etc., news of study programs, obituaries ("Deceased Asianists"), and so forth.

USES: Probably most useful for the announcements of job openings in Japanese language and literature, but also includes notices of new programs, textbooks, symposia, conferences, and the like.

USES: The centerpiece of each issue is the transcript of a lecture given at the International House of Japan, usually in the area of current international affairs connected with Japan; they are generally very interesting. In addition, there is a section of short book reviews, plus a page listing current conferences and exhibitions both in Japan and "elsewhere" (which seems to be mostly the US).

USES: Most useful for anyone living in the New York area for the announcement of upcoming events at the Japan Society, and for the listing on the last page of events elsewhere, both within and outside the New York area. Each issue also includes an article, often related to a current Japan Society program or exhibition, or an excerpt from a new book; they are generally interesting.

USES: Not much substantial content yet beyond the administrative details of this group, which remains fairly small, and announcements of upcoming conference panels related to Japanese religion.
 

The Japan Foundation Newsletter. Five or six issues annually. Distributed free of charge to anyone interested in Japanese Studies. Write to: The Editor, The Japan Foundation Newsletter, The Japan Foundation, Park Bldg., 3-6 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102, Japan.
Call no.: NOT AVAILABLE IN LIBRARY (?)

USES: An important and very useful newsletter that goes well beyond reports on the activities of the Japan Foundation--although these are of course covered in detail. It includes scholarly essays (often reporting new research), reports on Japanese studies throughout the world, one or two longish book reviews per issue, by Japanese scholars on books both in Japanese and Western languages, news of recent scholarly prizes and discoveries in Japan, and so forth. Inserts describing the various Japan Foundation grant programs are included every summer.

USES: Good for keeping up on what's happening at Nichibunken; whether or not you are in favor of the place (it's been controversial, with charges of being an official institute for the manufacture of Nihonjinron), it's useful to see what is going on. Includes essays by Nichibunken members (including visiting foreign researchers), a useful series on "Japanese Studies Overseas," two or three book reports per issue (by Nichibunken professor), and Center news.

USES: This is a short newsletter on "US/Japan cultural exchange," useful particularly for timely listing of Japan-related cultural events in the New York area.
 

Japan Political Research: An Annual Review. Annually in March, $6 per volume. Lee Farnsworth, editor, 740 SWKT, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602. Published since January 1970.
Call no.: Z3308.A5 N4. Current issues on mezzanine in Starr reference room.

USES: This long-lasting publication, known from its beginning in 1970 until 1989 as Newsletter of Research on Japanese Politics, is the result of the personal dedication of Lee Farnsworth, a political scientist at Brigham Young University. It is an extremely useful publication, upwards of 100 pages in recent years. It includes: "Research Notes," short articles on items of research interest; "Research Completed" and "Research in Progress," compiled from information sent in by subscribing members; "Books in Print Related to the Politics of Japan" for the previous year; copies of abstracts of completed dissertations in the area of politics and political history; and a list of subscribing members. There are over 230 members, mostly political scientists but also a large number in other disciplines (esp. history). No other discipline in Japanese Studies is so well provided for by a newsletter. Back issues are available.

USES: Primarily of use for the extensive listings of upcoming art exhibitions on East Asia, in the US, Europe, and (less completely) in Asia. In the past, there have been problems with timeliness, since most of the exhibitions listed were generally over by the time the issue finally appeared. But matters have improved. Also includes useful announcement of new books in East Asian art, especially exhibition catalogs. Occasional book reviews.

[HS: rev 9/94]