Rate Professor Akihiro Ogawa

Professional Summary: Professor Akihiro Ogawa

Professor Akihiro Ogawa is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, specializing in Japanese studies, anthropology, and social policy. With a career spanning multiple continents and institutions, he has made significant contributions to the understanding of civil society, social movements, and policy dynamics in contemporary Japan.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Ogawa holds advanced degrees in anthropology and related fields, equipping him with a robust foundation for his interdisciplinary research:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, Cornell University, USA
• Master’s degree in International Relations, Waseda University, Japan
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Waseda University, Japan

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Ogawa’s research focuses on the intersection of civil society, social movements, and public policy in Japan. His work explores themes such as:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Japanese society
• Social and political impacts of the 2011 Fukushima disaster
• Lifelong learning and community engagement in policy-making
• Ethnographic approaches to understanding state-society relations

Career History and Appointments

Professor Ogawa has held numerous academic positions across globally recognized institutions:

• Professor of Japanese Studies, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia (current)
• Associate Professor, Department of Japanese Studies, Stockholm University, Sweden
• Visiting Fellow, Harvard University, USA (Program on U.S.-Japan Relations)
• Research Fellow, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo, Japan

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Ogawa’s contributions to academia have been recognized through prestigious awards and fellowships:

• Japan Foundation Fellowship for research on Japanese civil society
• Abe Fellowship, Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, for studies on policy and social movements

Key Publications

Professor Ogawa has authored and edited several influential works that have shaped discourse in Japanese studies and anthropology:

• The Failure of Civil Society?: The Third Sector and the State in Contemporary Japan (2009) - A seminal book examining the role of civil society in Japan
• Lifelong Learning in Neoliberal Japan: Risk, Community, and Knowledge (2015) - Explores education and community in the context of neoliberal reforms
• Editor, Routledge Handbook of Civil Society in Asia (2018) - A comprehensive resource on civil society dynamics in the region
• “Security, Risk, and Lifelong Learning in Japan,” Japan Forum (2013) - A key article on education policy and societal risk
• “The New Politics of Risk in Post-Fukushima Japan,” Asian Survey (2016) - Analyzes policy shifts after the 2011 disaster

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Ogawa’s research has had a profound impact on the study of Japanese civil society and social policy. His ethnographic approach to understanding the relationship between the state and non-state actors has provided new frameworks for analyzing governance and community engagement in Japan. His work on post-Fukushima social movements has also contributed to global discussions on disaster recovery and policy reform. As a mentor and collaborator, he has influenced a new generation of scholars in Japanese studies and anthropology.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Ogawa is actively engaged in the academic community through public lectures, editorial roles, and committee memberships:

• Regular speaker at international conferences on Japanese studies and civil society
• Editorial board member for journals focusing on Asian studies and social policy
• Contributor to policy discussions through public seminars and workshops, particularly on post-disaster recovery and lifelong learning