GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies / Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

The GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies is an independent social science research institute based in Hamburg. It conducts cutting-edge comparative research in the regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, analyses the systemic implications of developments in the regions and links them to questions of global significance. Research-based policy advice forms a key part of the institute’s mandate. The GIGA operates the largest non-university information centre for area and comparative area studies in Germany.

As part of the GIGA, the Institute of Asian Studies is one of the leading European institutes for research on Asia. It has been analysing political, economic and social developments in Asia since 1956. The regional focal points include Greater China, India, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Korean Peninsula.