Progress of Brazilian Geography and History of Academic Exchanges between Japan and Brazil

This paper begins with a review of the progress of scientific geography in Brazil, and proceeds to explain academic exchanges between Japan and Brazil. The results are summarized as follows: (1) Geography in Brazil made great breakthroughs in the 1930' s by actively absorbing scientific geography from Western nations, especially from France. (2) The notable progress in Brazilian geography owes much to the contributions of academic societies established in the 1930' s, i.e., Institute Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE), Conselho Nacional de Geografia (CNG), Associacao dos Geografos Brasileiros (AGB), and several leading universities. (3) Academic exchanges between Japan and Brazil in the field of geography started after World War II, when Japan resumed diplomatic relations with Brazil. The main subject of early research by Japanese geographers was the adaptation and settlement process of Japanese immigrants in Brazil. (4) From 1966, overseas scientific research expeditions by members of Tokyo University of Education and the current University of Tsukuba were conducted under Grant-in-Aid for scientific research. (5) Brazil has achieved great economic growth as a member of the BRICs. Social and environmental problems caused by rapid agricultural and fuel development have been the main subjects of Brazilian studies.