'Japan Frontiers: Society and its Spaces' aims to explore the Japanese landscape as an introduction, charting new perspectives and horizons while discussing society and culture, architecture, and the city, as well as the worldview so unique to this nation. The initiative was originally conceived to support a group of students in a design studio who initially chose the *izakaya* as a typology to investigate and design. However, given the collective interest in the theme, the idea expanded into a lecture series, gaining the democratic and socialized scope it deserved.
The proposed discussions will take place between January and February, with a flexible format in light of the complexities of the global situation. The series will feature panel discussions, lectures, and classes, all led by undergraduate students. There will be four main tracks: "Japanese Gastronomy, Cuisine, and the Izakaya," "Architecture and Japanese Spaces," "City Photography / Japanese Architecture," and "Japanese Culture and Society." The first two sessions are already available on the Faculty's channel, featuring guests such as Roberto Maxwell, who provides insight into the *izakaya* and its culinary experience, and Michiko Okano, who explores the philosophical perspective of the "in-between" space (*ma*) in Japanese architecture.
