After sharing my personal experience at the African Association for Japanese Studies Conference, I now turn to the ideas and discussions that made the event intellectually enriching.
The African Association for Japanese Studies Conference has called on Africans to embrace their cultural heritage, document their stories, and take an active role in shaping how Africa is represented globally.
The conference, held from October 13 to 16, 2026, brought together scholars and researchers from different parts of Nigeria, including Abuja, to discuss African and Japanese media, cultural representation, and mutual influence.
With the theme, “Reimagining African in Japanese Media: Narrative, Representation and Influence,” the conference featured academic paper presentations, question-and-answer sessions, and discussions on culture, animation, sports, and other areas of African-Japanese relations.
The first day was dedicated to guests’ arrival, accommodation, and registration, while the physical conference took place on Wednesday, October 14. Proceedings continued virtually on October 15, with October 16 marking the departure of participants.
Africans Urged to Tell Their Own Stories
One of the major issues raised at the conference was the need for Africans to understand, preserve, and promote their cultural identity.
Discussions highlighted the importance of knowing African history and traditions, particularly as international communities continue to show interest in African cultures and indigenous knowledge.
Participants were encouraged to look beyond conventional career choices and recognise the value of traditional knowledge, including herbal medicine and indigenous practices, which people from other countries also seek to understand.
The discussions further emphasised the responsibility of Africans, particularly women, to learn about their cultural heritage and pass this knowledge on to younger generations.
‘Our Culture Is Not Sin’
Another key message from the conference was that African culture should not automatically be regarded as sinful or inferior.
A speaker stressed the importance of obtaining accurate information about cultural practices, noting that being informed does not necessarily mean having the right information.
The discussion encouraged participants to examine cultural beliefs critically and distinguish between misconceptions and a proper understanding of African traditions.
Need for Updated Publications on African Representation
The conference also examined how Africans perceive themselves and how they are represented in Japanese publications and other media.
A speaker expressed concern that some of the materials used to understand African-Japanese relations were published about twelve years ago, raising questions about their relevance to present realities.
The discussion highlighted the need for updated publications that reflect contemporary African experiences and enable Africans to participate more actively in shaping narratives about their societies.
Participants were also challenged to take responsibility for producing knowledge about Africa rather than relying solely on how other societies represent the continent.
Imagining With Africa, Not for Africa
The conference further emphasised the importance of collaborating with Africans in telling African stories rather than creating narratives about the continent without meaningful African participation.
The principle of imagining with Africa, rather than for Africa, emerged as an important message from the discussions.
Other topics explored included sports, plant tourism, and the representation of African culture through different forms of media.
The discussions encouraged participants to remain open to learning, unlearning, and re-examining established assumptions as part of intellectual growth.
Anime and the Representation of African History
Japanese animation, popularly known as anime, was another subject that attracted attention during the conference.
Discussions explored how animation goes beyond entertainment to communicate cultural values, historical narratives, and social ideas.
The mention of Yasuke, the historical African figure associated with Japan’s samurai history, further illustrated the connections between African history and Japanese popular culture.
The discussion also drew attention to how familiar animated works, including The Lion King, can be examined beyond entertainment for their cultural meanings and relevance to academic discourse.
Afrobeats and Growing Cultural Connections
The conference also highlighted the growing interest in Afrobeats in Japan, reflecting the increasing exchange of cultural expressions between Africa and Japan.
Presentations on Igbo wrestling, known as Mgba, and other cultural subjects demonstrated the range of areas through which African traditions can be studied, represented, and shared internationally.
A Call for Intellectual Growth
For participants, the conference provided an opportunity to engage with scholars, listen to academic presentations, and exchange ideas on African identity and international cultural relations.
The experience also highlighted the value of belonging to academic communities that encourage critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and personal development.
The conference concluded with a broader call for Africans to take ownership of their stories, preserve their cultural heritage, and contribute to the production of knowledge about the continent.
As one of the key lessons from the discussions suggests, a mind willing to learn and unlearn is a mind that continues to grow.
