Using the Keio Grant for the Development of Academic Research, my research about Social Markers of Acculturation ("SMA") has advanced in 2 ways: 1. I have given 21 presentations (4 at academic conferences and 17 invited lectures) to share my research results from 3 separate papers that I am developing about SMA, and 2. I have submitted one manuscript for publication in an international journal, am almost finished another, and have compiled all of the data necessary for 2 more papers.

For #1 above, I gave presentations at 3 conferences (2 international and 1 in Japan) at the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology 26th International Congress, International Academy for Intercultural Research 12th Biennial Conference, and the SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research) Japan Annual Conference. I also delivered invited lectures for 3 academic organizations and at 12 different universities (twice at University of Oxford and twice at Hebrew University of Jerusalem) in the United Kingdom, European Union, and Israel.

For #2 above, I submitted the paper "Constructions of Japanese National Identity: Host Views Using a Social Markers of Acceptance Framework" to the International Journal of Intercultural Relations (published by Elsevier) and am waiting for a final judgement as to whether or not it will be published. I am also finishing a second manuscript, which I am planning to submit to an international journal in my field.

I used this year's budget of 200,000 yen to attend the International Academy for Intercultural Research's 12th Biennial Conference, held in Rapperswil, Switzerland. As president of the organization, I gave the Presidential Address to open the conference, as well as a presentation specifically about my SMA research on the same day as part of a symposium, of which I served as organizer and chairperson. Because the yen was weak against the Euro and the British Pound, my funds were quickly used up by just the costs of the airplane ticket, the bus ticket between my home at University of Oxford and Heathrow Airport, and the hotel.