Asiatica Association

I am happy to announce that the International Journal of Tantric Studies (IJTS) vol. 8, n. 1 is out!

In this issue we are publishing two papers. The first is “The “Scandalous” Tantric Hymn to Kālī Karpūrādi- stotra: An Unexpurgated Translation”, by Dr. John R. Dupuche. He is currently Honorary Fellow, Australian Catholic University, MCD University of Divinity. He has extensively published on the so-called Kashmir Shivaism or Pratyabhijña, focusing on Abhinavagupta, and on Pratyabhijña and interreligious dialogue. His work includes Abhinavagupta: The Kula Ritual as elaborated in chapter 29 of the Tantraloka (Delhi, 2003), and Vers un tantra chrétien; la rencontre du Christianisme et du Shivaïsme du Cachemire (Melbourne, 2009).

We have just received the Newsletter for Research in Chinese Studies, 121 (February 2012 - vol. 31, no. 1), a hard copy quarterly published by the Center for Chinese Studies (CCS). The institute was established in 1981 to promote research in Chinese studies both in Taiwan (The Republic of China) and overseas. The journal is published in Chinese and subtitled in English.

This issue includes: Summary of Research, Researchers of Chinese Studies Scholars, Book Review, Conference Reports, News from Academia.

We have just received the Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies, vol. 12, no. 1 (Apr. 2012). This is a refereed multi-disciplinary publication on East Asian Studies. The periodical is completely written in English and is published by the Academy of East Asian Studies of Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.

We are pleased to announce the publication of Gender, Social Change and the Media, eds. by Johannes D. Schmidt and Torsten R. Berg, Delhi: Rawat Publications, 2012. Pp. 240. Rs.695 / US$45 (Hardcover). ISBN: 978-81-316-0513-4

List of Contributors: Lok Raj Baral, Torsten Rødel Berg, Chandra Bhadra, Enrica Garzilli, "The Interplay between Gender, Religion and Politics, and the New Violence against Women in Nepal”, Hanne Lund Jensen, Sunil Pokharel, Sangita Rayamajhi, Shiva Rijal, Johannes Dragsbaek Schmidt, Nisha Sharma, Abhi Subedi, Gérard Toffin.

This book is an informative, engaging and critical attempt to contribute to a profound discussion about gender and social change in landlocked Nepal in South Asia. It covers new ground relating to the challenges women face in terms of the enormous changes taking place in the Nepalese society.

The Association of Japanese Institutes of Strategic Studies (AJISS) has just published the AJISS-Commentary No. 151 "Japan Should Play a Constructive Role in the Arctic", by Takahiro Ishihara. Commander Takahiro Ishihara (<[email protected]>) is an Instructor, Security & Strategies Education Office, the JMSDF Staff College.

The sea ice melting in the Arctic Ocean caused by climate change has effects on such issues as oil and natural gas development and environmental protection. Among those issues, the opening of Arctic sea routes may have the deepest impact on Japan. Historically, the "sea" was used mostly as a great highway or trade route that carried people and goods. Although the "closed" Arctic Ocean was not used as a commercial route until recently, its commercial use is now becoming possible due to climate change and sea ice melting.

The Global Forum of Japan (GFJ) E-Letter, 1 June 2012, Vol. 5, No. 3: "Japan-ASEAN Dialogue" Should Discuss Not Only "Sea" But "Space", by MATSUI Akira (former Ambassador of Japan to Kazakhstan)

On March 14, I was invited to attend the 9th "Japan-ASEAN Dialogue: the Future of ASEAN Integration and Japan's Role" under the co-sponsorship of the Global Forum of Japan and the ASEAN-ISIS. Here, I would like to elaborate my comments, which I could have not fully develop at the "Dialogue" due to the time constraints.