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On July 31, 2025, the Global Network Seminar was held, and the seminar welcomed Dr. Ferran De Vargas, political scientist at the University of Edinburgh and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, as the guest speaker.

In the first half of the seminar, Dr. De Vargas reflected on his academic journey, from his graduate studies to his current research as a postdoctoral researcher specializing in Japanese Studies. Drawing on his own experiences, he discussed both the opportunities and challenges of pursuing an academic career in Japanese Studies after completing a doctoral degree. He also emphasized the importance of carefully developing a research strategy and making informed career choices while keeping one's long-term research goals in mind.

The second half of the seminar focused on Dr. De Vargas's current research. He explored how left-wing intellectuals in postwar Japan engaged in critical debates on political theory and aesthetics. Through examples drawn from postwar Japanese cinema and political thought, he examined how the concept of "fascism" was employed not only to critique contemporary society but also to imagine the possibilities of a liberated postwar Japan. He further demonstrated that the notion of fascism served as an important rhetorical and analytical framework in the political discourse of writers, critics, and filmmakers during the postwar period.

During the question-and-answer session, participants engaged in lively discussions on a wide range of topics, including the transnational dimensions of Japanese left-wing thought, its connections with broader intellectual debates during the Cold War, and the significance of these historical discussions for understanding contemporary Japan.

The seminar provided participants with a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of an important topic in the intellectual history of modern Japan. It also offered practical advice on research planning and academic career development for students considering graduate study or pursuing research careers in the humanities and social sciences after completing their doctoral degrees.