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 6 presentations (3 at academic conferences and 3 invited lectures) to share my research results from 3 separate papers that I am developing about SMA, and 2. I have published one refereed paper in an international academic journal, am almost finished another, and have compiled all of the data necessary for 2 more papers. I am also working on a new edited volume, The SAGE Handbook of Intercultural Communication, that is contracted and will be published in early 2025.

For #1 above, I gave presentations at 3 conferences (2 international and 1 in Japan). First, I gave the Presidential Research Address (as President of the organization) at the International Academy for Intercultural Research’s 13th Biennial Conference. I also presented my research at the Japanese Studies Association of Australia’s 2023 Conference and the SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research) Japan Annual Conference. I also delivered invited lectures for Doshisha University, SIETAR Japan, and Keio University (as part of the 研究の現場 lecture series).

For #2 above, I published the paper “Constructions of Japanese National Identity: Host Views Using a Social Markers of Acceptance Framework” in International Journal of Intercultural Relations (published by Elsevier). 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 Japanese Studies Association of Australia’s 2023 Conference, held in Sydney, Australia. I presented my research and attended the conference as a participant from September 1 to 3. Also, on September 4 and 5, I met with Professor Lily Arasaratnam-Smith, who is Deputy Vice President of Student Affairs at Alphacrucis University College, in order to discuss our joint research project. Specifically, I am writing a chapter (entitled "Promoting Interdisciplinary Interculturality and Synergy: The Work of the International Academy for Intercultural Research") for her edited volume, “Handbook of Communication and Culture” (Edward Elgar Publishing). In addition, she is writing a chapter for my edited volume, “Handbook of Intercultural Communication,” which we also discussed. Because of inflation and the yen being somewhat weak against the Australian dollar, my funds were used up by the costs of the conference.