Charting My Ocean: Finding Own Northern Star in the Tempests of Academia and Safe Harbor

As Confucius wisely noted in the Analects, “學而時習之不亦說乎” (Is it not a joy to learn and practice what you have learned in due time?), my academic journey at Tohoku University’s Global Governance and Sustainable Development (G2SD) program has indeed been one of continuous learning and joyful discovery. My path through G2SD has taken me across various disciplines, from international relations and geoeconomics to high-tech industries and foreign policies.

My academic passion led me to study technonationalism and its impact on Northeast Asia’s semiconductor industry. The G2SD program helped me stay true to this research direction while connecting technological advancement, regional security, and economic relationships in Asia. Rather than forcing me to follow conventional paths, the program gave me the freedom to navigate through both theoretical frameworks and contemporary challenges. Thanks to this academic freedom and my supervisor Professor Ryo Ikeda my sub-supervisor Professor Jeongsoo Yu, trusted guidance, my research has expanded to encompass broader Indo-Pacific dynamics, Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs), and geoeconomics: a growth that reflects the academic independence and professional responsibility that the program and my esteemed supervisors instilled in me.

When research challenges felt like stormy seas, Professor Ikeda and Professor Yu  were steadfast harbors. Thankfully they offered me guidance and advice that helped me find my way. My labmates in the G2SD program became my trusted crew: we supported each other through our journeys, shared insights across our diverse research topics during our seminar sessions, and celebrated each other’s milestones over the boiling hotpot in our lab. The department’s various assistance, such as in securing the Kurata Grants from Hitachi Corporation opened new doors for my research, while the international perspective fostered by the program broadened my understanding of global governance.

Just as a skilled navigator needs both a compass and a crew, the G2SD program provided both the theoretical tools and the collaborative environment essential for academic success. The program’s emphasis on innovative thinking and interdisciplinary approaches helped me develop both as a researcher and an educator. This academic “seamanship” naturally flows into my teaching approach, where I strive to help students discover complex global issues through creative methodologies. Drawing from my own journey of discovery at G2SD, I’ve learned to incorporate innovative methods such as integrating AI tools and developing the flipped-class methodology, creating dynamic learning environments that encourage students to chart their own sea of curiosity.

Hoisting the anchor and raising the sails, I’m now setting off on my new voyage as a junior faculty, on the opposite side of the Pacific. Nevertheless, I carry forward the innovative spirit and comprehensive understanding fostered by the G2SD program. The academic foundation just as Jack Sparrow’s compass points to what its holder truly desires, I hope to guide my students toward finding their own academic passions and research directions. The academic foundation I developed during my doctoral studies now guides me as I help the next generation of scholars navigate their own paths through the challenging waters of global governance and sustainable development.