The AJR is a study group (Arbeitskreis) of scientists from/in German speaking countries focusing on research about Japanese religions (Japanische Religionen).
History:
In recent years a continuous rise in interest about Japanese religions has beem noted on a scientific as well as on a popular level. For this reason a group of scientists of Japanese Studies focusing on research about Japanese religions in 1994 formed a loose organisation referred to as AJR (Arbeitskreis Japanische Religionen). The AJR was initially linked to the Japanese department in Trier University but moved to Tübingen with Professor Klaus Antoni in 1998.
Between 1995 and 2001 four conferences about relevant aspects from the wide field of Japanese religions have been held. In three cases the contributions to the conferences have been published.
In May 2004 colleagues interested in research about Japanese religions met in Tuebingen University's Department of Japanese Studies and decided that the loose study group should become institutionalized. Cooperation and exchange between collegagues should be enhanced and facilitated by means of an online workplace and annual specialists' conferences.
The AJR today:
The AJR today has about 60 members in or from German speaking countries. Their fields of expertise range from Japanese Studies to Religious Studies, Theology and other related subjects. Members include welknown professors as well as younger researchers and postgraduate students. Their areas of research cover all aspects of historical and present day Japanese religions.
The organisational centre of the AJR is in the Japanese Department of Tübingen University in Germany. Since May 2004 Dr. Birgit Staemmler is in charge of the organisation and the website.
The aim of the AJR is to promote research about Japanese religions through cooperation among scientists specialising in that area.
In spring 2008 the Contributions of the AJR, a forum for online publications, have been initiated.
The AJR began its own mailing list in early June 2008. Colleagues interested in participating should register at <https://listserv.uni-tuebingen.de/mailman/listinfo/AJR>. The language of the mailing list will be predominantly German although contributions in other languages are also welcome.