Japan Studies Ph.D. Candidate Josh Williams has been selected as a finalist for this year’s Presidential Management Fellowship Program. Josh’s primary research interest is the connection between Japanese politics and the Internet. This includes both how Japanese politicians use the internet for political campaigning and how Japanese citizens use the internet to connect to politics. The PMF Program

In “The Next-Generation Rockets That Japan Could Use to Protect Itself” in Forbes, Prof. Saadia Pekkanen writes about potential national security space ventures during these times of uncertain U.S. policies toward Asia.

I am pleased to report that Japan Studies at the University of Washington is thriving as an interdisciplinary, university-wide program that builds on its strategic position on the Pacific Rim and its vibrant academic and professional communities. This year I report to you on the program while in transit from Tokyo to Rome during the

More than 75 new resources chronicling the development of Japan’s written word have been acquired for the Japanese Collection at the East Asia Library this year. These astonishing materials showcase the development of Japan’s written and printed word from the Tokugawa period all the way to the modern era in a collection that is unique

The Japan Studies Program is excited to welcome Mark Metzler to the University of Washington. Metzler joins the program as a professor with a joint appointment in the Department of History and in the Jackson School. Metzler earned his BA in international relations from Stanford University, his MA in comparative social history from the University

This Autumn Alumna Kristen Dean (MA Japan ’74) established the Kristen Kawakami Dean Fellowship in Japan Studies to support graduate students studying Japan at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. Reflecting on her own educational experience and on the generosity of others, Dean was inspired to make a lasting gift after attending the

The comedic art of Rakugo is not one of the better known traditional Japanese arts in the west but with the help of the UW Japan Studies program and NHK, Katsura Sunshine performed in Seattle this week. Katsura Sunshine stands out because he is the only non-native Japanese Rakugoka officially recognized. This and his deep

Professor Saadia Pekkanen, an expert in outer space governance, security and policy, was featured in an article published by GeekWire to mark the 50th anniversary of the show “Star Trek.” Professor Pekkanen told the magazine about the way in which Star Trek influenced her career: “For me, maybe for others, too, ‘Star Trek’ was and is an inspiring vision of

Jackson School Professor Saadia Pekkanen explores in her recent Forbes column the Asian race for wining Google’s prestigious lunar X Prize competition, a challenge designed to inspire engineers, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world to develop low-cost methods of robotic space exploration. Asia’s proven track record in outer space affairs have lured space entrepreneurs in India, Japan and Malaysia to form

Since graduating in 2008 with two bachelor’s degrees, one in International Studies and one in Japanese language, Christy Bahr has been working, traveling, and staying involved with students, teaching, and the promotion of Japanese Studies. “My experience pursing a double major in International Studies and Japanese at the UW was intellectually rewarding and has continued