APU Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
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PhD Asia Pacific Studies Faculty

  • *1M: Master's Thesis Advising, D: Doctoral Dissertation Advising
  • *2Please note: Seminar courses may not be offered every year.

Divisions

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  • Professor

    BUI Thanh Huong

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    Degree
    PhD (Tourism Management), Griffith University
    MBA (International Business), Waseda University
    MA (Tourism Management), Griffith University
    Research Fields
    Tourism, Sustainability, and Resilience, Resource Management, Environmental Economics
    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).
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Professor

    GHOTBI Nader

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    Degree
    PhD (Modern Economics), Kyoto University
    MD, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
    Research Fields
    Cross-Cultural Bioethics, Ethics of Technology (AI, EAI, etc.), Inclusive Education (Higher Education, HE)
    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).
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Professor

    HAN Ji

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    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.
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Professor

    HU Feiyu

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    Degree
    Ph.D. (Computer Science), University of Auckland
    Masters (Engineering), Kanazawa University
    Research Fields
    Public Health, Information System, Geographic Information, Big Data, Large Language Model, Mathematical Modeling, AI agent
    Biography
    Professor Hu earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Auckland and holds a master’s degree from Kanazawa University. His research spans digital health, public health, and information systems, with a focus on big data, geographic information systems (GIS), and AI applications in tourism and healthcare. His work explores how advanced technologies such as large language models and data analytics can support elderly care, health outcomes, and tourism experiences.
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Professor

    JONES Thomas Edward

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    Degree
    PhD (Agriculture), University of Tokyo
    Research Fields
    Human Geography, Conservation, Protected Area Management
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Professor

    MAHICHI Faezeh

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    Degree
    Ph.D (Life Science), Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Research Fields
    Inclusive Environmental Citizenship Education, Circular Bioeconomy, Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Food Systems, Regenerative Agriculture, Decrease of Humanity’s Ecological Footprint, Community-based Environmental Actions
    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.
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Professor

    OHASHI Hiroaki

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    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, Urban (Re)development and Design, Sustainable and Resilient Development
    Biography
    Professor Ohashi specializes in urban and regional planning, development, policy, and design, integrating practical, research, and teaching experiences. He, an alumnus of UCL and the University of Tokyo, holds multiple professional qualifications, including Chartered Town Planner (UK RTPI) and Professional Engineer (Civil Engineering: Urban and Regional Planning) (Japan). Through various consultancy projects in different countries such as Mongolia, Qatar, Ghana, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Japan, his experiences span from master planning to urban or site (re)development. His research interests include spatial and (sub)urban policies and planning, sustainable and resilient development, and interdisciplinary approaches linking planning, design, and engineering.
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Professor

    VAFADARI M. Kazem

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    Degree
    Ph.D. (Asia Pacific Studies), Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
    MA, Theoretical Economics
    Research Fields
    Tourism Policy and Planning Food Tourism Agritourism Rural Tourism and Development Heritage Tourism Ecotourism
    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.”
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Professor

    YAMASHITA Hiromi

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    Degree
    Ph.D. Univesity of Birmingham
    Research Fields
    Environmental Sociology, Environmental Communication, Risk Study, Public Perceptions on Nature Restoration Projects (Green Infrastructures, Nature Based Solutions), Costal Wetlands Management and Conservation (including tidal flats, mangroves, beaches), Community Participation in Decision Making, Consensus Building on Infrastructure Building in Coastal Communities
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

  • Associate Professor

    MATSUO Yuji

    Graduate Advising *1
    M, D
    Degree
    Ph.D. (Social Systems), National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
    Master's, The University of Tokyo
    Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo
    Research Fields
    Energy System Modeling, Energy Policy Analysis, Renewable Energies, Nuclear Power
    Biography
    Professor Matsuo holds a Ph.D. in Social Systems Analysis from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. He is a visiting researcher at the Institute of Energy Economics in Japan. His current research filed includes quantum beam science, sound material-cycle social systems, and environmental policy and social systems, and his work has been published in serval journals.
    Research Activities
    Faculty Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Doctoral) Student Testimonials Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Doctoral) Course model Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Doctoral) Thesis Supervisor Confirmation Letter for Doctoral Applicants
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