Associate Professor
Kenji Nakayama
Profile
| Specialized Field | International Relations and Peace Studies, Public Policy and Legislative Process |
|---|---|
| Research theme | Northeast Asian subregionalism, non-state actors, international policy of local governments |
| Subjects in charge | Basic seminars, Theme seminars, International politics, Public policy workshops A and B, GCP tutorials |
| Main career, work history, and academic background |
|
| Affiliated academic societies and organizations | Japan Association of International Relations, Japan Association for Northeast Asian Studies, Japan Association for Asian Studies and Political Science, Japan Association of Peace Studies, Japan Association for Public Policy Studies, Japan Association of Comparative Politics, Japanese Political Science Association, International Peace Research Association |
| Main Papers and Publications | "Endogenous Transborder Governance in the Northeast Asian Subregion" (PhD dissertation, Waseda University, 2014), "Asian Regional Integration Studies: Overview and Materials" (co-author, Keiso Shobo, 2013, responsible for "Institutions Related to the Japan Sea Rim and Yellow Sea Rim Regions"), "Latest "Japan Public Opinion Knowledge Map" (co-author, Tokyo Shoseki, 2011, responsible for "Foreigner Voting Rights" and "Politics and Money"), "Trans-border Local Government Collaboration in Northeast Asia (TCLG)" (Socioscience, Vol. 16, 2010), "International Strategies and Regional Networks of Local Governments" (co-author, Waseda University, Institute for Asian Studies, 2010, responsible for "The Role of Local Governments in Environmental Governance in Northeast Asia"), "EU Subregions and the East Asian Community: Building a Model of International Collaboration between Regional Governance" (co-author, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research B Report, 2009, responsible for "Issue-oriented Living Area Cooperation in Northeast Asia"), "Development of Wide-area Trans-border Cooperation between Local Governments in Northeast Asia: A Case Study of NEAR" (Northeast Asian Regional Studies, Vol. 14, 2008), "The Creation of Trans-border Networks of Local Governments in Northeast Asia" (Social Studies Research Journal, Vol. 10, 2007), "Issues in East Asian Agricultural Cooperation in FTAs/EPAs" (Research Bureau, House of Representatives, RESEARCH BUREAU Ronkyu No. 3, 2006), Encyclopedia of Northeast Asia (co-author, Kokusai Shoin Publishing, 2006, responsible for the Northeast Asia Regional Municipalities Association), and "East Asia Community and Local Economic Zones" (RESEARCH BUREAU Special Edition Ronkyu No. 3, 2005), etc. |
| Message | As a national civil servant, I have been involved in the national political sphere, and I have been interested in global political changes and the initiatives of local actors. In today's international society, where the global, national and local intersect, problem areas and actors are inevitably crossing borders. Whatever field you choose to pursue in the future, you will no longer be able to be bound by existing frameworks. There is a strong demand for the ability to accurately grasp the realities of society, extract issues, and predict and envision the future. Although I am still young, I look forward to learning and working hard with you all at Faculty of Law. |
| Specialized Field | International Relations, Asian Politics |
|---|---|
| Research theme | 1. International Relations in East Asia |
| research content | I am researching international relations and regional cooperation in contemporary East Asia (Northeast and Southeast Asia). When we hear about regional cooperation, we tend to focus on national aggregations such as ASEAN, Japan-China-Korea trilateral cooperation, and RCEP, but I am focusing on local-level aggregations (municipal alliances, intercity networks, etc.). In these transboundary regional spaces (subregions) close to people's living areas, various actors such as nations, international organizations, local governments, citizens (NGOs/NPOs), and companies are promoting joint projects to solve problems across borders. As the formation of order in East Asia progresses with a nation-centered approach, what role will subregional cooperation play? I have considered cases such as the Northeast Asia Municipal Union, the Sea of Japan Rim Region, the Greater Mekong Subregion, the Japan-Korea Strait Region, and the Okinawa-Taiwan Regional Region. Recently, I have been working on local networks for coastal zone comprehensive management, focusing on the theme of East Asian marine environmental governance. |
| Research and Education Policy | In graduate school, we provide guidance tailored to each student's research theme and personality. The basic focus is on modern East Asian international relations, but the scope is not limited to inter-state relations and national politics, but extends to a wide range of topics such as local international policies, transnational activities of NGOs/NPOs, and citizen exchanges. The goal is to learn analytical methods and theories according to each student's theme, and to cultivate analytical skills for ongoing social phenomena. I will work hard with you to cultivate "creative people," which is the focus of Soka education. |
| Message | In graduate school, I want students to learn how to handle knowledge, not how to wield a knife, such as how to read a paper, how to collect and organize materials, how to highlight things in an analysis, and how to write a paper. At the same time, I also place importance on field research. This is because a solid understanding of "reality" based on field research is what creates rigorous and original logic. |
| others | “The science and wisdom rules are the most important” (Confucius) |