Ian Smith

M.A. Student
Ian Smith

About

Ian is a graduate student in the Japan Studies Program with a focus on military history and political economy. He took a year off after receiving his BA from the Jackson School in June 2017 before returning in August 2018. His current research analyzes the last days of the Japanese military in its Manchuria colony during the final stages of World War II in response to impending surrender and the surprise Soviet entry into the war, with particular emphasis given to the status of private and government industrial infrastructures in the vacuum left by the Japanese military state.

Ian also serves as the communications assistant for the East Asia Center and Japan Studies Program and is responsible for developing communications and outreach strategy, as well as an editorial assistant for the National Bureau of Asian Research. When he isn’t pushing the latest newsletter or editing the most recent policy journal, Ian can be found with book in hand at the local pub, cocktail lounge, or wine bar. He also enjoys gaming in all forms.