Faculty | APU Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Professor

BUI Thanh Huong

Degree

PhD (Tourism Management), Griffith University
MBA (International Business), Waseda University
MA (Tourism Management), Griffith University

Research Fields

Human Geography, Social Psychology, Tourism Management and Development, Sustainability and Resilience

Biography

Professor Bui completed her master’s in Tourism Management and International Management before completing her Ph.D. at Griffith University in Australia. Her current academic societies include the European Association for Southeast Asian Studies and the Australia and New Zealand Association of Leisure Studies (ANZALS).

Professor

FUCHINOUE Hideki

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, Kyoto University
Master of Arts in Economics, Kyoto University
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Michigan State University

Research Fields

Peacebuilding, Resilience Building

Professor

GHOTBI Nader

Degree

PhD (Modern Economics), Kyoto University
MD, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Research Fields

Public Health and Epidemiology, Health Economics, Environmental Economics, Ethics and Philosophy, Bioethics

Biography

Professor Ghotbi received a Medical Doctorate from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1992 before enrolling at Kyoto University to complete a PhD in Modern Economics with a focus on health economics and environmental economics. He is a member of the Asian Bioethics Association, an editor for a peer-reviewed public health journal, and a reviewer for multiple peer-reviewed academic journals on bioethics and public health. He is currently engaged in research in public health, environmental ethics and economics, and ethics of artificial intelligence (AI).

Professor

HAN Ji

Degree

DEng (Infrastructure Planning), Nagoya University
MEng (Environmental Science and Engineering), Tongji University
BEng (Environmental Science and Engineering), Dalian Maritime University

Research Fields

Urban Ecology, Material Metabolism, Low-carbon City/Transport, Livable City, Circular Economy, Ecosystem Services, GIS and Remote Sensing

Biography

After obtaining a PhD in Engineering from Nagoya University in Japan, Professor Han worked as a research fellow at the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S) at the University of Tokyo, a full-time assistant professor at Nagoya University, a professor at the School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, and as the head of the Global Institute for Urban and Regional Sustainability at East China Normal University before joining APU in 2022.
Han specializes in climate change, resource management, and urban ecology. He has published numerous papers and received academic awards in these fields. In recent years, the professor has served as an editorial board member and guest editor for several top-ranked academic journals, such as Landscape and Urban Planning and Journal of Urban Ecology. In addition, he actively contributes to society with his research while serving as the deputy director of the Landscaping & City Appearance Administrative Bureau of Putuo District in Shanghai, China.

Professor

IGUCHI Yufu

Degree

Ph.D. (Humanities), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
MA (International Studies), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Research Fields

Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Southeast Asian Studies (Malaysian Studies), Intellectual History

Biography

Professor Iguchi holds a PhD in Humanities from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and served as a visiting scholar at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & University College Dublin Malaysia Campus in 2018. Her research interests include the female body and sexuality and the formation of the national subject. Currently, Iguchi is conducting research on female genital cutting in Southeast Asia. Her work has been published in both English and Japanese.

Professor

JONES Thomas Edward

Degree

PhD (Agriculture), University of Tokyo

Research Fields

Environmental Policy, Nature-Based Tourism, Protected Areas, Regional Development

Professor

KASEDA Yoshinori

Degree

Ph.D. in Political Science, Northern Illinois University

Research Fields

Politics, International Relations

Biography

Professor Kaseda received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Northern Illinois University. His current research fields are Japanese Foreign Policy, Security Studies, and International Politics with a regional focus on East Asia. He has written extensively on Japan’s foreign policy toward North Korea, South Korea, China and the United States.

Professor

KIKKAWA Takuro

Degree

Ph.D. (International Relations), Ritsumeikan University

Research Fields

Politics, Area Studies, International Relations

Biography

Professor Kikkawa received his Ph.D. in International Relations from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. He instructs under the International Public Administration (IPA) division and his current research fields are Politics and Area Studies. He is currently a member of the International Studies Association, the Japan Association for Middle East Studies and the Japan Association for Comparative Politics. He has written multiple books and research papers on the middle east; chiefly in regards to politics, security and social movements.

Professor

KIM Chan Hoe

Degree

Ph.D. (Literature), Ritsumeikan University

Research Fields

Folklore Studies and Japanese Literature

Professor

KIMURA Rikio

Degree

Doctor of Education, University of Sussex
Master of Arts, Regent University
Master of Science, Michigan State University
Bachelor in Social Sciences, Mie University

Research Fields

Social Welfare and Social Work Studies, Area Studies, Sociology of Education, Education

Professor

KUBO Takayuki

Degree

PhD (Economics), Chuo University

Research Fields

Urban and Regional Economics, Urban and Regional Policies, Urban and Regional Planning

Professor

LI Yan

Degree

Doctor of Engineering, Kyoto University
Master of Science, East China Normal University
Bachelor of Science, Nanjing University

Research Fields

Environmental Policy, City Planning, Regional Planning, Traffic Engineering, Social System Engineering

Biography

Professor Li received her Bachelor’s degree in City Planning from Nanjing University and Master of Science in Urban Geography from East China Normal University before obtaining her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Kyoto University. She served as an assistant in the Engineering Department of Ritsumeikan University before working at Fukuyama Consultants Co., Ltd. as a researcher; she has been at APU since 2000. She teaches under the Sustainability Science division. Her current research fields are Environmental Policy, City Planning, and Traffic Engineering. She currently is a member of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, the City Planning Institute of Japan and the GIS Association of Japan.

Professor

MANTELLO Peter A.

Degree

PhD, Aristotle University
MFA (Media Arts), Concordia University
BFA (Film Production), Concordia University
BA (Asian Studies), Carleton University

Research Fields

Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots, Human-Machine Relations, Emotional AI, Malicious AI, Surveillance Systems, Predictive Policing, Videogame Theory, Conflict Media

Biography

Professor Mantello holds a PhD from Aristotle University in Greece and a Master of Fine Arts from Concordia University in Canada. He is an award-winning and internationally recognized photographer, filmmaker, and game designer, with his work having been exhibited in museums and exhibitions around the world. He is the recipient of numerous research grants from the Japanese government and over a dozen artistic grants from the Canadian government.

Mantello combines theory and real-world practice in his research, focusing on the intersection between new technologies and popular culture. He is a leading expert in the field of emotional artificial intelligence and has been extensively published in major international journals, such as AI and Society (Springer Nature), Media, War and Conflict (Sage), Technology in Society (Elsevier), HSSCOMS (Nature), Big Data and Society (Sage), the Australian Journal of International Affairs (Taylor & Francis), and the American Journal of Economics and Sociology (Wiley).

Professor

MEIRMANOV Serik

Degree

Ph.D. (Medical Sciences), Nagasaki University Medical School

Research Fields

General Life Science, Social Psychology, Human Genetics, Human Pathology, Public Hygiene Studies/Health Science

Biography

Professor Meirmanov received his Ph.D in Medical Sciences from the Nagasaki University Medical School. His research fields are General Life Science, Social Psychology, Human Genetics, Human Pathology and Public Hygiene Studies/Health Science. Before coming to APU, Professor Meirmanov was an assistant professor at Nagasaki Medical School. He is licensed for General Surgery as well as a Medical Doctor. He has written a plethora of research papers as well as a few books.

Professor

NISHANTHA Giguruwa

Degree

Ph.D. (Information Science), Saga University

Research Fields

Software, Educational Technology, Media Information/Data Base, Computer System Networks, Crowdsourcing Applications

Biography

Professor Nishantha received his Ph.D. in Information Science from Saga University. His current research fields are Software, Educational Technology, Media Information/Data Base, and Computer System Networks. He’s written multiple research papers and presented about technology and its place in our current world.

Professor

PISHVA Davar

Degree

Ph.D. in System Engineering, Mie University
Master of Science, Ateneo de Manila University
Bachelor of Science, University of the Philippines

Research Fields

Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs), Simulation and Modeling (SaM), Decision Science (DS)

Biography

Professor Pishva received his Ph.D. degree in System Engineering from Mie University, Japan. He has been serving APU since 2007 and currently teaches under the Sustainability Science division. His recent teaching focus includes Technology Management, Environmental Modeling and Analysis, Structured Decision Making, and Geographic Information System. The focus of his recent research includes Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs), Simulation and Modeling (SaM), Decision Science (DS) and Information Security (IS). He has recently published a number of articles, book chapters and international patents. He has also been active in numerous academic societies and has been serving IEEE as a Senior Member for more than a decade now.

Professor

PROGLER Joseph

Degree

Ph.D. in American Studies, State University of New York at Buffalo
M.Phil. in Ethnomusicology, Columbia University
M.A. in Interdisciplinary Humanities, State University of New York at Buffalo
B.A. in Secondary Music Education with a Minor in Jazz Guitar, Concordia College

Research Fields

Cinema (Science Fiction, Docudrama, Literary Adaptation), Education (Multiculturalism, Curriculum Studies, Pedagogy), Music (Ethnomusicology, Jazz Studies, Performance Practice), Religion (Local-global Dynamics, Environmental Ethics, Pilgrimage)

Biography

Professor Progler holds the PhD in American Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He worked as an assistant professor of Social Studies in the College of Education at Brooklyn College in the City University of New York and then at Zayed University in Dubai as an associate professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. He joined the APU faculty as a full professor in 2007, and teaches in the Culture, Society and Media cluster in the College of Asia Pacific Studies. His current research interests are in Cinema, Education, Music and Religion.

Professor

ROSE John A.

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Memphis
Master of Science, Memphis State University
Bachelor of Arts, Rhodes College

Research Fields

DNA Nanotechnology, Nanobioscience, Biomolecular Computing, Soft Computing, Bioinformatics

Biography

Professor Rose received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Memphis. Before coming to APU, he worked at the University of Tokyo as a research fellow and lecturer. His current research fields are DNA Micro & Nanotechnology, Soft Computing, and Software Engineering. He is currently a member of the IEEE academic society (since early 2007).

Professor

SATO Yoichiro

Degree

Ph.D. (Political Science), University of Hawaii

Research Fields

Politics, International Relations

Biography

Professor Sato graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Ph.D. in Political Science. At APU, he teaches under the International Relations Division, and his research fields are Politics and International Relations. Professor Sato has authored many books and papers, most of which focus on the Indo-Pacific

Professor

SEIKE Kumi

Degree

Credits Awarded, Withdrawal from Doctor Course, Graduate Faculty of Literature, Kyushu University
Master (Sociology), Kyushu University

Research Fields

Sociology, Cultural Anthropology (including Ethnology and Folklore), Religion

Biography

Professor Seike studied sociology, structuralism and poststructuralism at Kyushu University where she earned her master’s degrees and completed her doctoral coursework. She further studied the religion and ethnicity of Malaysian Chinese from the perspective of Anthropology as a research fellow at Malaya University in Malaysia. More recently, she conducted research on NPOs whose purpose is the revitalization of rural areas vis a vis social movement theory and the theoretical possibility of cohabitation in present society. Currently, she is working on the articulation of “New-Realism” within sociological theory as a matter of philosophical concern.

Professor

SUDO Tomonori

Degree

Ph.D in International Studies, Waseda University

Research Fields

Environmental and Climate Policy, Resource/Environment/Climate Economics, Development Economics and Finance, Development Policy

Biography

Professor Sudo graduated from Osaka University before attending the University of London for his masters. In 2008, he graduated from Waseda University with a Ph.D. in International Studies. Professor Sudo worked for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a Senior Research Fellow and as a Visiting Scholar. He was also a part-time lecturer for the Graduate School of Aoyama Gakuin University before coming to APU. Currently, he is the Division Head of the International Public Administration division.

Professor

TAHARA Hiroki

Degree

Ph.D. (Social and Cultural Studies), Nihon University

Research Fields

Vietnamese and Language Education

Biography

Professor Tahara graduated from Nihon University with his Ph.D. in Social and Cultural Studies. His research fields are Vietnamese and Language Education.

Professor

TAKEKAWA Shunichi

Degree

PhD in Political Science, University of Hawaii
Master of Arts in Political Science, Wichita State University

Research Fields

Politics and the Media

Biography

Professor Takekawa graduated with a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Hawaii. Before starting his graduate studies in the United States, he worked as an editor and reporter for Mainichi Shimbun in Japan. He is currently a member of the Association for Asian Studies, the International Studies Association, and the International Communication Association, His current research field is politics and the media, focusing on major newspapers in Japan.

Professor

TODOROKI Hiroshi

Degree

Ph.D. (Geography), Seoul National University

Research Fields

Geography, Area Studies, Human Geography

Biography

Professor Todoroki graduated with his Ph.D. in Geography from Seoul National University. He currently teaches under Tourism and Hospitality, while his current research field is Geography, Area Studies, and Human Geography.

Professor

VAFADARI M. Kazem

Degree

Ph.D. (Asia Pacific Studies), Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
MA, Theoretical Economics

Research Fields

Cultural Heritage Management, Ecotourism, Agriculture Heritage Tourism, Community Based Tourism and Rural Tourism

Biography

Tourism destinations vary greatly from urban to rural settings and from artificial structures to remote locations in nature. This diversity results in demand for knowledge in various subfields of tourism and related skills. Such subfields include natural environment studies, human resource management, economics, and socio-cultural issues, knowledge of which assists our graduates in contributing to sustainable tourist destinations based on available resources. Today, tourism and hospitality are among the top grossing global industries, and attract individuals from both academia and the business world in order to manage the tourism industry and its socio-cultural, economic, and environmental impacts.”

Professor

YAMAGATA Tatsufumi

Degree

Ph.D. in Economics, University of Rochester

Research Fields

Development Economics, Textile Industry, Bangladeshi Economy, Health and Development, Disability and Development

Biography

Professor Yamagata was a researcher of the Institute of Developing Economies, Japan, from 1988-2018 and was a visiting research fellow of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies from 2000-2001. He has also been engaged in the evaluation of Japan's ODA on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan as a chief evaluator eight times since 2006. In addition, he was an Affiliate Member of the Science Council of Japan from 2008-2014. Now, while teaching Development Economics and Development Studies at APU, he is serving for the Japan Society for International Development as its president (-2020).

Professor

YAMASHITA Hiromi

Degree

Ph.D. Univesity of Birmingham

Research Fields

Environmental Sociology, Environmental Communication, Public Participation in Decision Making, Coastal Wetlands Restoration Projects, Ramsar Convention and Local Implementation

Professor

YOSHIDA Kaori

Degree

Ph.D., University of British Columbia
Master of Arts, University of Calgary
Master of Education, Fukuoka University of Education

Research Fields

Media Studies (Representation Politics: Gender, Ethnicity, Nation), Cultural Studies, Popular Culture, Comparative Culture Studies

Professor

YOSHIMATSU Hidetaka

Degree

PhD in International Relations, Australian National University
MA in International Relations, Warwick University
LL.B., Kyushu University

Research Fields

International Relations, International Political Economy, Regional Studies (East Asia)

Professor

YOTSUMOTO Yukio

Degree

Ph.D. (Sociology), University of Kentucky

Research Fields

Sociology, Tourism

Associate Professor

ASKEW David J.

Degree

Kyoto University Graduate School, Division of Law

Research Fields

Law, Intellectual History, History of Political Thought, Modern Japanese History

Associate Professor

GOMEZ Oscar A.

Degree

PhD (Environmental Studies), Tohoku University

Research Fields

Global Governance, Human Security, Humanitarian Crises (disasters, armed conflicts, displacement, pandemics), International Cooperation

Associate Professor

HASUDA Takashi

Degree

PhD (Asian History), Osaka University

Research Fields

History of Pre-modern Southeast Asia

Associate Professor

HEO Emilia S.

Degree

PhD (International Relations), The Graduate Institute Geneva

Research Fields

International Relations and Global Studies, Peace and Reconciliation, Diplomatic History, International Organization, Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue

Associate Professor

KOJIMA Shinji

Degree

Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Research Fields

Social Inequality and Stratification, Globalization, Sociology of Work, Social Movements

Associate Professor

LE Hoang Anh Thu

Degree

PhD (Anthropology), Australian National University

Research Fields

Cultural Anthropology, Folklore Studies

Associate Professor

MAHICHI Faezeh

Degree

Ph.D (Life Science), Tokyo Institute of Technology

Research Fields

Environmental Education and Awareness, Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Environment, Environmental Microbiology, Air/Soil/Water Pollution, Global Warming, Coral Reef Ecosystem Health, Organic Agriculture, Chemical Disaster Management

Biography

Professor Mahichi received her Ph.D in Life Science from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. She is currently active in the American Society of Microbiology and the Iranian Society of Microbiology. Her current research fields are Environmental Education and General Life Science.

Associate Professor

OHASHI Hiroaki

Degree

PhD (Urban and Regional Planning), University College London (UCL)
MArch (Architectural Design), University of London (UCL)
MSc with Distinction (Built Environment: Advanced Architectural Studies), University of London (UCL)
MEng (Civil Engineering), The University of Tokyo
BEng (Civil Engineering), The University of Tokyo

Research Fields

Urban and Regional Planning, Spatial Planning and Policy, Comprehensive Planning, Urban (Re)development, Real Estate Development, Urban Design, Development and Environment, International Cooperation

Associate Professor

ROTHMAN Steven B.

Degree

Ph.D., University of Oregon
Master of Science, University of Oregon
Bachelor of Arts, University of Delaware

Research Fields

International Relations Theory, International Policy Making, International Environmental Policy, Subject Pedagogy

Biography

Professor Rothman received his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. He works under the International Relations division. His current research fields are International Relations, International Policy Making, International Environmental Policy Subject Pedagogy. Hehas published articles on soft power, decision making, research methodology, and pedagogy. He recently co-edited a book on geo-strategy in the Asia Pacific.

Associate Professor

SUN Yiyang

Degree

Ph.D. (Hospitality and Tourism Management), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
MSc (International Tourism & Convention Management), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
BA (Hotel, Restaurant, & Resort Management), Northwood University

Research Fields

Information Network, Web Informatics, Service Informatics, Management, Commerce

Associate Professor

VYAS Utpal

Degree

Ph.D (International Relations) University of Sheffield
MSc, (East Asian Political Economy), University of Sheffield
LLB, (Law) University of Birmingham

Research Fields

Area Studies (East Asia), Area Studies (European Union), Politics, International Relations, Political Economy

Biography

Professor Vyas received his PhD from the University of Sheffield. His research interests include political economy and international relations of Japan and China as well as regional issues in Asia and Europe. He has authored or edited several books, chapters and articles on these topics. He teaches in the International Relations division at APU.

Associate Professor

YOUN Seung Ho

Degree

PhD (Psychology), University of Surrey

Research Fields

Tourism Studies, Social Psychology

Assistant Professor

HIRANO Miharu

Degree

PhD, Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University
LL.B., Faculty of Laws, Kyoto University

Research Fields

Public International Law, The Law of Global Governance, New Fields of Law, International Water Law, International Human Rights Law