Introduction
Relations between Southeast Asia and Japan are growing increasingly close
and diversified as a result of the dramatic political realignment and global
economic integration of recent years. These changes bring fresh challenges，
and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies， continuously renewing itself
as a Center of Excellence in Area Studies， believes that integrated endeavors
based on solid academic research can play a central role in developing
new paradigms for the twenty-first century. The strength of the Center
lies in its multi-disciplinary orientation， especially the inclusion of
staff in the natural sciences as well as the humanities and social sciences.
Since its establishment in 1965， the Center has carried out its activities
using a comprehensive approach to investigate the contemporary and historical
dimensions of problems confronting present-day Southeast Asia. Proceeding
from these guiding principles， our current research methodology can be
described as an integrated area studies approach based on informed knowledge
of the field and aiming to create new perspectives on this dynamic region
of Asia.
Area studies， by definition， requires international efforts. The Center
has a liaison office in Bangkok and a residence in Jakarta to extend its
service to local scholars. The presence of foreign visiting scholars in
Kyoto and Memoranda of Understanding with institutional counterparts in
Southeast Asia have also helped expand our international presence.
CSEAS publishes the quarterly journal Southeast Asian Studies， to which
the Center's research staff as well as visiting and outside scholars have
contributed. Published since 1963，the journal has recently come out with
its 174th issue. The Center also publishes two research monograph series
in both English and Japanese: Monographs of the Center for Southeast Asian
Studies and Kyoto Area Studies on Asia. Both series were originally authored
primarily by Center staff but are now open to outside contributors. In
2002， the Center launched the Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia， an innovative，
multi-lingual internet review of Southeast Asian scholarship and affairs.
The CSEAS Library supports the academic activities of both Center and outside
researchers with one of the largest and best collections on Southeast Asian
area studies in Japan. The Library's holdings of over 150，000 volumes
include an increasing number in the languages of Southeast Asia and various
special collections.
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