#Japan #Tokyo #International Exchange #Education Symposium #Japan-Germany Center

Upcoming International Symposium on the Future of Education

On March 19, 2026, the Japan Foundation (JF) will host an important international symposium titled "The Future of Education in a Changing Society: Perspectives from Japan and Germany," in collaboration with the Japan-German Center in Berlin (JDZB). This event will take place at the OAG Hall, German Cultural Center, located in Akasaka, Tokyo, and will also be streamed online.

As the world rapidly evolves with advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence, widening social disparities, and escalating geopolitical tensions, the role of education becomes increasingly vital. This symposium seeks to address what education can do amid these challenges and how schools and communities can better support children in navigating diverse value systems.

The first segment of the symposium will provide a comprehensive overview of the current educational frameworks in Japan and Germany, discussing the challenges faced by educational policies and systems. Following this, specific practical applications in educational settings will be highlighted. Japanese contributions will emphasize approaches that prioritize dialogue in confronting uncertainties and practices that promote interactive learning through art. Educators and researchers from both countries will participate to discuss the current educational landscape, challenges, and potential future developments.

Event Details

• - Date: March 19, 2026 (Thursday)
• - Time: 18:00 – 20:30 JST
• - Venue: OAG Hall, German Cultural Center, Tokyo
• - Format: Hybrid (in-person and online)
• - Languages: Japanese and German (with simultaneous translation)
• - Participation Fee: Free (registration required)

Registration Links

• - In-person Participation: Register Here
• - Online Participation: Register Here

Program Overview

• - Opening Remarks:

- Dr. Julia Münch, Secretary General of the JDZB
- Yuri Sato, Executive Director, JF

• - Keynote Speeches:

- "Current Educational Trends in Germany: Insights from National Monitoring" (tentative)
- Dr. Jannis Burkhard, Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Educational Research
- "Goals of Japanese School Education and Efforts to Achieve Them: Towards a Society Where 'I Don’t Know' Can Be Acknowledged"
- Hajime Shiramiz, Director of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Research

• - Moderation: Dr. Phoebe Stella Holdgrün, Project Management Director, JDZB

Practical Initiatives in Education

Japanese Examples:

• - "Learning and Deepening Understanding Through Dialogue: What Happens When We Discuss Art"

- Tomoki Hirano, Associate Professor, Hokkaido Future University

• - "Rushing to Find the Right Answer: Let’s Explore the 'Unknown'"

- Fumiko Hata, Researcher at the CoREF and Teacher at Bunan High School

German Examples:

• - "Opening Learning Opportunities from Individual Perspectives: Practices from an Inclusive Secondary School in Berlin" (tentative)

- Silvio Wende, Subject Head of Social Studies at Berlin Friedrichshain Secondary School

• - "Between Fact, Fake News, and AI 'Hallucinations': Utilizing AI as a Learning Support in School Education" (tentative)

- Hendrik Haverkamp, Teacher and Digital Coordinator

Summary: The JDZB, established in 1985, promotes exchanges between Japan and Germany across economic, scientific, academic, cultural, social, and political fields. Since signing a partnership agreement with the JF in 2006, various collaboration efforts have enhanced intellectual exchanges through regular international symposiums, focusing on common challenges amidst global social trends.

The JF aims to promote cultural and artistic exchanges, Japanese language education, and international dialogue. They engage in diverse dialogue initiatives centered around shared global themes, facilitating intercultural understanding across different levels. For more information on the JF's international dialogue projects, please explore the JF Official Site.