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The 114th ASC Seminar "Well-being and conservation concerns among indigenous peoples and local communities adjacent to conservation areas: the case of East Cameroon "

114_ASCSeminarEnglishVer.pdf The 114th ASC Seminar will feature a talk by Dr. Marlene NGANSOP on "Well-being and conservation concerns among indigenous peoples and local communities adjacent to conservation areas: the case of East Cameroon".The seminar will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participation via Zoom as well. Please be sure to register in advance. ※The schedule has been changed. June 3 → June 10 (updated on May 13). Title: "Well-being and conservation concerns among indigenous peoples and local communities adjacent to conservation areas: the case of East Cameroon"Abstract: Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) living in conservation landscapes depend on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for their well-being. However, restricted access to these resources within the conservation area often puts pressure on surrounding areas, raising conservation concerns. My research in the Dja Biosphere Reserve aims to understand how Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities rely on natural resources for their health and food security needs within a conservation context. This presentation illustrates these points by examining their living conditions, the contribution of NTFPs to their well-being, and the impact of conservation on resource availability in the surrounding areas. The final goal of the presentation is to provide an analytical framework for improving the living conditions of communities within conservation areas. Keywords: non-timber forest product, wellbeing, indigenous people and local communities, sustainable use, conservation concerns, Dja Biosphere Reserve ◆Speaker: Dr.Marlene NGANSOP (Visiting Associate Professor at African Studies Center, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies / University of Douala) ◆Date：Wednesday, June 10th, 2026/ 5:40p.m.～7:10p.m.（JST） 8:40a.m.～10:10a.m.（GMT)◆Venue：Hybrid・Onsite Room103（1F Research and lecture bldg.,TUFS Fuchu Campus）＆ Online（ZoomMeeting）・Access：https://www.tufs.ac.jp/abouttufs/contactus/access.html◆Language：English◆Addmission fee：FREE Please pre-register in advence from here. Or Use QR Code.The Zoom link will be sent after you pre-registerd.Registration deadline: Noon June 10th, 2026 (Wed) ◆Jointly organized by African Studies Center - TUFS and Kanto Branch of Japan Association for African Studies

第114回『保護区に隣接して暮らす先住民族および地域住民の福祉と保全上の懸念：カメルーン東部の事例から』

Notice of Cancellation of the 113th ASC Seminar

113_ASCSeminarEnglishVer.pdf The 113th ASC Seminar will feature a talk by Mr. MOUVY Dodzivi Eva Kekeli, Chargé d'Affaires, Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Togo on "Togo, Mediator and Gateway of West Africa" The seminar will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participation via Zoom as well. Please be sure to register in advance. Title: "Togo, Mediator and Gateway of West Africa" Abstract: This presentation provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of Togo, exploring how this narrow, 600-kilometer-long West African nation leverages its strategic geographical positioning and historical neutrality to act as both a highly efficient economic gateway and a pivotal diplomatic mediator. Despite its relatively modest geographical size, Togo punches significantly above its weight on the African continent. A central focus of the presentation is Togo's exceptional logistical infrastructure, which capitalizes on its strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea. The Port of Lomé serves as the cornerstone of this strategy; as West Africa's only natural deep-water port, it presently handles over 30.6 million tonnes of cargo annually. It ranks as the region's premier container transit point and functions as an indispensable economic lifeline for landlocked Sahelian nations like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Furthermore, the Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport reinforces this connectivity by acting as a major aviation hub for ASKY Airlines, accommodating over 1.5 million passengers yearly. Economically, Togo demonstrates a resilient growth rate of approximately 5.3 percent and is actively transitioning from a transit-based economy to an industrialized model through initiatives like the Adétikopé Industrial Platform. This structural transformation is heavily supported by a dynamic population of 8.8 million people and substantial human capital investments driven by public institutions such as the University of Lomé and the University of Kara. Politically, the country maintains security and stability, having shifted to a parliamentary system in May 2024 to establish a new model of institutional governance. Beyond trade, the presentation thoroughly emphasizes Togo's robust soft power strategy as the highly respected "Swiss of Africa". Rooted in a strict policy of non-interference, Lomé has historically brokered significant peace agreements, including the 1999 Lomé Peace Accord for Sierra Leone. Today, President Faure Gnassingbé effectively continues this celebrated legacy of quiet diplomacy. In the volatile Sahel region, Togo has kept dialogue and maritime ports open for transition governments, most notably securing the 2023 release of 46 Ivorian soldiers detained in Mali. Furthermore, Togo actively mediates the complex conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda by championing a strategic "Framework of Coherence". This framework gracefully aligns overlapping regional peace initiatives, such as the Luanda and Nairobi processes, to ensure unified diplomatic action. Ultimately, Togo's national success is securely built upon a dual-pillar strategy balancing cutting-edge physical logistics with impartial diplomacy. By seamlessly connecting both goods and people across borders, Togo definitively proves itself to be an indispensable anchor for continental peace, economic resilience, and sustained regional integration. Keywords: Logistics Hub, Deep-Water Port of Lomé, Regional Mediator, Strategic Neutrality, West Africa Gateway, Transshipment, ECOWAS, Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA), Sahel Stability, Great Lakes ◆Speaker: Mr. D. E. Kekeli MOUVY, Chargé d'Affaires, Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Togo Bio-note: Dodzivi Eva Kekeli Mouvy is a Togolese diplomat with over fifteen years of experience in international relations, public administration, and diplomatic protocol. After serving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he worked at the Prime Minister's Office as Chief of Protocol from 2014 to 2020, coordinating high-level state ceremonies. Since 2020, he has been posted to Japan. Currently serving as Chargé d'Affaires a.i., he heads the Embassy of the Republic of Togo, overseeing bilateral relations with Japan and outreach across the Asia-Pacific. His responsibilities encompass political and economic diplomacy, investment promotion, and multilateral engagement. Alongside his diplomatic duties, he is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at the International University of Leadership in Florida. His research focuses on how multilateral partnership platforms generate concrete development outcomes for Africa, aiming to strengthen strategic diplomacy that links international cooperation with national priorities. ◆Date：Wednesday, May 27th, 2026/ 5:40p.m.～7:10p.m.（JST） 8:40a.m.～10:10a.m.（GMT)◆Venue：Hybrid・Onsite Room 103（1F Research and lecture bldg.,TUFS Fuchu Campus）＆ Online（ZoomMeeting）・Access：https://www.tufs.ac.jp/abouttufs/contactus/access.html◆Language：English (No taranslate)◆Addmission fee：FREEPlease pre-register in advence from here. Or Use QR Code.※ The Zoom link will be sent after you pre-registerd. Registration deadline: Noon May 27th, 2026 (WED) ◆Jointly organized by African Studies Center - TUFS and Kanto Branch of Japan Association for African Studies Notice of Cancellation of the 113th ASC Seminar We regret to announce that the 113th ASC Seminar, scheduled for May 27, has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the speaker, the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Togo. We sincerely apologize for this last-minute cancellation and for any inconvenience caused to those who had registered for and planned to attend the seminar. At present, there are no plans to reschedule this event. Should a similar event be organized in the future, we will provide further information through our website and other communication channels. We greatly appreciate your understanding and apologize once again for any disappointment or inconvenience this cancellation may cause.

【第113回ASCセミナー中止のお知らせ】

The 111th ASC Seminar "The many meanings of ‘indigenous’: lessons from South Africa"

111th_ASCセミナー英語版.pdf The 111th ASC Seminar will feature a talk by Dr. Rafael VERBUYST on "The many meanings of 'indigenous': lessons from South Africa" The seminar will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participation via Zoom as well. Please be sure to register in advance. If you are nearby, we warmly encourage you to register in advance and join us. Please note that this seminar will start earlier than the usual ASC seminar time (from 4:00 PM). ◾️Date&Time: March 5, 2026 (Thu) 4:00p.m. - 5:30p.m. (JST) / 7:00a.m.～8:30a.m.（GMT) Title: "The many meanings of 'indigenous': lessons from South Africa" ◆Speaker: Dr. Rafael VERBUYST Bio-note: Rafael Verbuyst is a historian and anthropologist. He is a Junior Postdoctoral Researcher at Ghent University's History Department and a Senior Research Affiliate at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Johannesburg. His research focuses on post-apartheid South Africa, settler colonialism, indigeneity, and ethnographic methodology. Abstract: The concept 'indigenous' is notoriously ambiguous, especially in Africa. Drawing on ethnographic research in South Africa, I argue that this ambiguity stems from a divide between 'indigenous' and 'non-indigenous' that revolves around three problematic axes: pristineness vs. modernity; prior occupants vs. latecomers; inclusion vs. exclusion. These oppositions have long histories and remain commonplace. They are upheld for a variety of reasons and by a diverse set of actors, including by those who identify as indigenous. I suggest an alternative analytical framing of 'indigenous' that is not rooted in identity, belonging, or even history. Building on scholarship advocating for a relational understanding of indigeneity, I argue that 'indigenous' should be understood as a contemporary form of marginalization within a specifically settler-colonial constellation. Settler colonialism is the type of structural oppression that ensues when settlers establish permanent settlements beyond their metropole, as happened in South Africa. A settler-colonial lens is not without pitfalls, but it allows us to better appraise the grievances of indigenous activists and nuance the implications for people who arguably do not fit that category. As such, I posit that my framework can reduce the temperature in what are often highly contentious and unproductive debates. Keywords: indigenous people, settler colonialism, Khoisan, South Africa, ethnicity ◆Venue：Hybrid ・Onsite Room102（1F Research and lecture bldg.,TUFS Fuchu Campus）＆ Online（ZoomMeeting）・Access：https://www.tufs.ac.jp/abouttufs/contactus/access.html ◆Language：English ◆Addmission fee：FREE Please pre-register in advence from here. Or Use QR Code. The Zoom link will be sent after you pre-registerd. Registration deadline: Noon March 5th, 2026 (Thu) ◆Jointly organized by African Studies Center - TUFS and Kanto Branch of Japan Association for African Studies

第111回『「先住性」の多義性：南アフリカからの示唆』

February 19, 2026

ILCAA Forum (Academic talk by Prof. Florence Muhanguzi Kyoheirwe)

【ILCAA Forum】Lecture by Florence Muhanguzi Kyohairwe Breaking Barriers, Building Safer Campuses A Scoping Review of Sexual Violence in Higher Education in Africa and Asia.pdf The ILCAA Forum will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 15:00 to 16:30.We warmly invite all those who are interested to attend. ■ Date & Time：Thursday, February 19, 2026　15:00-16:30 (JST) ■ Venue：Room 304: AA研 Multimedia Conference Room / Online (Zoom) ■ Language：English ■ Online Participation (Advance Registration Required)：Please register in advance via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oErmIkfYQ_20xySDw8haTg ■ Program：15:00-16:30 Florence Muhanguzi Kyohairwe (ILCAA)Breaking Barriers, Building Safer Campuses:Sexual Violence in Higher Education in Africa and Asia(A Scoping Review, 2015-2026) Chair: Wakana Shiino (ILCAA) ■ Contact：ogura[at]aa.tufs.ac.jp ■ Organizer：ILCAA ■ Co-sponsored / Supported by ：African Studies Center (ASC) ■ Further Information： https://www.aa.tufs.ac.jp/events/detail/e313/

フローレンス・ムハングジ・キョヘイルウェ氏講演（ILCAA Forum ）

News & Activities

News Research Activities Exchange Students

Mr.Takao Trip

On May 23, 2026, our visiting associate professor, Dr. Marlène Ngansop, visited Mount Takao in Hachioji City. She participated in the activities of a forest volunteer group in which Prof. Makiko Sakai is involved, and explored both the forest management work sites and the surrounding woodland areas.Dr. Ngansop has kindly shared a report on her visit. We invite you to read about her experience below. A Day in the Takao Mountains by Dr.Marlène Ngansop At the invitation of Professor Saikai Makiko, I had the pleasure of joining in a walk on Mount Takao, located in the suburbs of Tokyo, on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Professor Takanori Oishi and two students from the University of Tokyo's School of Foreign Studies, Yuto and Tasuku, agreed to join us. The walk involved assisting the Gotansha Association teams with their forest management and maintenance activities in the Mount Takao forest, which focused primarily on clear-cutting and selective logging. Gotansha is a volunteer association that has been conducting forestry activities in this forest for 27 years. Although the forest is owned by the government, the association plays a vital role in its maintenance, management, and monitoring. This visit was particularly enriching, as it gave me a better understanding of Japan's forest ecosystems, especially its mountain forests. The walk began around 11 a.m. and ended around 1 p.m. I was able to appreciate the diversity of the forest floor in this forest, which is dominated by Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtuse plantations. Among the understory species observed were Rubus hirsutus (Kusa-ichigo), a wild strawberry; Cardiocrinum cordatum (ubayuri), an edible vegetable consumed as Sansai; and Robinia viscosa, whose flowers are also edible. We also observed Helwingia japonica (Hanaikada), remarkable for the development of its flower buds and fruits directly on the leaves; Zanthoxylum piperitum (sansho); Zanthoxylum schinifolium (inu-zanshō); Smilax china (Sarutori-ibara), whose leaves are used to wrap rice and are also consumed as a vegetable; as well as Osmanthus heterophyllus, (Hiiragi), traditionally used to ward off evil spirits and the Christmas tree, Abies firma (Momi), an evergreen conifer, but different from those used in Cameroon as Christmas trees. The identification of these plants was made easier by the association's members, who have in-depth knowledge of forest plants and their various uses, particularly for food and cultural purposes. Finally, it is important to highlight the quality of the silvicultural work carried out by the association's members, which promotes the growth of healthy trees with good diameters while contributing to the conservation and enhancement of this forest ecosystem.

高尾山散策に参加しました

Dr. Marlene gave a guest lecture

On May 19, 2026, our visiting associate professor, Marlène Ngansop, participated as a guest lecturer in the course "Introduction to African Area Studies 1" (Assoc.Prof. Takanori Oishi), offered to first-year students in the African Studies program of the School of International and Area Studies. Her lecture, titled "The biogeography of the African continent and the floral diversity of Cameroon" introduced students to Africa's natural environment and plant diversity through numerous slides and examples of specific plant species. Following the lecture, an active question-and-answer session took place. The discussion also touched upon the use of plants in mask dance rituals practiced in the Grassfields region of western Cameroon, the home region of Dr.Marlène Ngansop.

マルレーン先生がゲスト講演しました

Attended the 63rd Annual Conference of JAAS

Our invited visiting associate professor. Marlene Ngansop, participated in the conference. We are pleased to share her report on the event below. https://conference.african-studies.com/english.html Trip report on Nagoya (08_10 May) I travelled to Nagoya from 8 to 10 May 2026 to attend the 63rd Annual Conference of the Japan Association for African Studies. On 8 May 2026, I visited the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden, located in the Chikusa-ku district of Nagoya. I was particularly impressed by this vast zoo and botanical garden situated right in the heart of the city, as well as by the great diversity of animal and plant species. The zoo had a wide variety of animals from different continents: Africa, Asia, Americas and the European. They are housed in habitats carefully designed to replicate their natural environments. The quality of these reconstructions is remarkable and accurately reflects the specific characteristics of their regions of origin. and reflects the work of passionate and highly professional people. I had the pleasure of seeing several animals I had never seen before, including penguins, wolves, American bison, zebras, Asian elephants, kangaroos, tigers, and many other species. The Zoo also has a very large aquarium. The botanical garden is just as impressive. It is beautifully laid out and features huge greenhouses housing a rich variety of plants. Highlights include an avenue of cherry trees, a camellia garden, a rose garden, fields of flowers and several other landscaped areas, all bursting with color and a delight to explore. The days of 9 and 10 May were devoted to the workshop itself. I took part in the various in-room sessions, which included presentations in English and Japanese. Several presentations particularly caught my attention, especially those on policy management in Africa; the evolution of civil society and NGOs, and their contribution to development within the context of relations between Africa and Asia. Other presentations addressed the costs of public policy in Africa and the involvement of young people, ranging from protests and activism to low levels of political engagement. I also found the presentations on the development of renewable energy and the expansion of cocoa monocultures and their impact on the dietary habits of indigenous peoples particularly interesting. I also had the pleasure of meeting several researchers working on key issues relating to Africa, and more specifically to Cameroon. I was able to meet researchers with whom we had previously collaborated on projects carried out in Cameroon. I was particularly impressed by the large number of Japanese researchers conducting studies in Africa. I believe that the results of this work make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the African continent. As an enthusiast of museography and curator of the Millennium Ecological Museum in Yaoundé, Cameroon, I also took advantage of a few spare moments to visit the University of Nagoya Museum. This museum displays a wide variety of specimens and materials, many of which stem from research conducted by the university. The collections on display are of remarkable scientific and heritage significance. They include meteorites, various rocks and minerals, ancient pottery, and an impressive blue whale skeleton. The museum also exhibits plant specimens dating from the Carboniferous period, as well as petrified wood, some of whose fully silicified trunks have given rise to red and white quartz. Among the most striking collections are also Kiso cypress trees aged approximately 950 years and 270 years respectively. This visit was particularly enriching for me, both scientifically and in terms of museum presentation.

日本アフリカ学会第63回学術大会に参加しました

Spring Semester 2026 started

On April 13, Visiting associate professor Marlène Ngansop's course, "Ethnobotany and Sustainable Development: Comparative Perspectives from Africa and Japan" began. Ethnobotany is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between people and plants. This course, offered to students in their third year and above, aims to introduce the fundamentals of ethnobotany from the perspective of intercultural understanding. In particular, the course focuses on non-timber forest products (NTFPs), Visiting associate professor Marlene's area of expertise, and explores comparative perspectives on plant use in African and Japanese societies. In addition, students will examine the relationship between ethnobotany and sustainable development through discussions of everyday interactions with plants. In the first class session, an introductory lecture was given on the field of ethnobotany and its scope of study.

春学期が始まりました