Faculty
Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development
Hirofumi Arai

Research fields (key words) |
Russian Economy, Northeast Asian Cooperation, International Logistics |
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Career | Master of Engineering at the Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo. PhD at the Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University. Appointed professor at the University of Niigata Prefecture in April 2023 after serving at the Niigata Prefectural Office and the Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia. |
Notes | Professor, the Economic and Social Research Institute for Northeast Asia, University of Niigata Prefecture (ERINA-UNP) |
Based on my experience in numerous collaborative efforts with business and government officials in Northeast Asia, including Russia, I adopt a research style to identify questions arising in the field and examine their factors and issues from various practical perspectives. I strive to provide intellectual support to people struggling for a better society in each position.
Phillip Bennett

Research fields (key words) |
Lexical development, metaphor, cognitive linguistics |
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Career | Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics, University of Birmingham. Ph.D. in Applied English Linguistics. |
Notes | Associate Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
This is a course designed for postgraduate students aiming to improve their skills at giving academic presentations. The course covers both poster session and Powerpoint presentations and focuses on the structure of effective presentations as well as the language skills to present in a confident and detailed manner.
Boyu Chen

Research fields (key words) |
Comparative Politics, International Relations |
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Career | Institute of Political Science, National Sun Yat-sen University. Ph.D. in Political Science. |
Notes |
Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
My research interests lie in how domestic politics exert influence on international relations. I supervise topics related to the factors that influence East Asian international relations, such as national identity, party politics, and democratic/authoritarian systems. Students will be able to critically review previous literature, set up clear research questions, and apply mixed methods in their studies.
Melodie Lorie Cook

Research fields (key words) |
Teacher Education、Examinations、Supplementary Education, Expatriate Families and Education |
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Career | Department of Applied Linguistics, Macquarie University. Doctor of Philosophy(Linguistics). |
Notes | Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
In this course, students will learn how to write essays, do research, synthesize ideas, and avoid plagiarism by using citations and references. Students will also learn how to identify and correct common writing errors in their own and others’ work.
Qi Dong

Research fields (key words) |
Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Chinese Economy |
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Career | Earned a Ph.D. in Agriculture after completing the doctoral program in Agricultural and Resource Economics at the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo. Following a research position at the Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia (ERINA), appointed as an Associate Professor at the current university in April 2023. |
Notes |
Associate Professor, the Economic and Social Research Institute for Northeast Asia, University of Niigata Prefecture (ERINA-UNP) |
My research specializes in agricultural economics, with a particular focus on farm management, agricultural investment, technological innovation, and structural transformation in the agricultural sector. I primarily study agriculture in Japan and China, conducting empirical analyses on the diversification and structural changes in agricultural economies, with attention to their developmental trajectories and resource allocation.
Seiji Fujii

Research fields (key words) |
Public Choice, Public Economics |
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Career | Ph.D. in Economics (University of California, Irvine). I am now Associate Professor in the Faculty of International Economic Studies, University of Niigata Prefecture. |
Notes | Associate Professor, Faculty of International Economic Studies, University of Niigata Prefecture |
Research activities I could supervise will include public choice theories using voting results and quality of life studies using public opinion survey data. Although I respect students’ research interests, I would recommend regression analysis. In order for students to complete dissertations based on empirical evidence, I advise systematically on setting up hypotheses, literature review and data collection, data analysis, and hypothesis testing.
Kyoko Hatakeyama

Research fields (key words) |
International Relations, Security Studies, Foreign Policy Analysis |
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Career | Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University. Before this position, she worked as a Research Analyst at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was an Associate Professor at Kansai Gaidai University. |
Notes | Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
I will supervise research students who are interested in international relations, in particular, security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Yet, due to deepening globalization, security issues are closely intertwined with economic issues. The research topics are, therefore, not necessarily limited to the security field. Rather, I encourage students to analyze the security issue from a wider perspective. Although I analyze a state’s behavior from a constructivist perspective, any theoretical position is welcome.
Kentaro Hirose

Research fields (key words) |
International Politics, Formal and Quantitative Analysis |
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Career | Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Chicago. Postdocotral Fellow, Department of Politics, Princeton University. Assistant Professor, Waseda Institute for Advanced Studies / School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University. |
Notes | Associate Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development,University of Niigata Prefecture |
My research interests lie in formal and quantitative analysis of international politics, especially conflict and cooperation among states. I am happy to supervise any student who is interested in conducting research based on social science methodology.
Susumu Ito

Research fields (key words) |
International Development Policy, Development Finance, Southeast Asian Economies |
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Career | M.Sc. in Development Economics from University of Oxford and Ph.D. in International Development from Takushoku University. Worked with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Chuo University. |
Notes | Professor, Policy Research Center, University of Niigata Prefecture |
Based on experience in international development as a development practitioner, my research interest includes policy aspects of economic and social development in developing countries, mainly in Southeast Asia. In order to analyze the development issues of developing countries and regions in the ever-changing international environment, it is important to be equipped with the understanding of not only economics but also other disciplines such as international relations and politics. Therefore, while respecting and enhancing students’ research interests in international development as much as possible, I will supervise research from various perspectives for students to be able to deliver fruitful research results.
Chunxia Li

Research fields (key words) |
Chinese Economy, Intellectual Property and Innovation |
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Career | Ph.D. in Economics, Graduate School of Economics, Senshu University. Assistant professor at the School of Economics, Senshu University. Appointed associate professor at the University of Niigata Prefecture in April 2023 after serving as Associate Senior Research Fellow at the Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia. |
Notes | Associate Professor, the Economic and Social Research Institute for Northeast Asia, University of Niigata Prefecture (ERINA-UNP) |
I am researching the Chinese economy, particularly the role and challenges of innovation in China’s economic development. Rising productivity and innovation are essential to sustaining economic growth.
I am happy to supervise students who are interested in the Chinese economy and innovation. I would like to advise on setting up hypotheses,data collection and processing, and empirical analysis.
Jia Li

Research fields (key words) |
Development Economics (macroeconomic policy in developing countries, financial development and economic growth, sustainable development) |
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Career | Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University. Ph.D. in International Development. Before joining the University of Niigata Prefecture, she was in International Center for Chinese Studies, Aichi University. |
Notes | Associate Professor, Faculty of International Economic Studies, University of Niigata Prefecture |
Students are expected to choose a topic about economic development in developing countries (particularly long-term economic changes) for their Master’s theses. The theses should combine both the theoretical and empirical components, preferably showing policy implications. I will advise students through the process of thesis writing systematically, with an emphasis on establishing a theoretical framework, clarifying research questions, collecting statistical data, and conducting quantitative analysis.
Mimura, Mitsuhiro

Research fields (key words) |
Law of DPRK, DPRK economy, Area Study (Korean Peninsula), Economics, Society and Economic Cooperation in Eurasia, Cooperation on SDGs in Northeast Asia |
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Career |
Graduated from the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and completed the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Law at Osaka University. Ph. D. (Jurisprudence) Worked at the Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia as a senior fellow. |
Notes | Professor, the Economic and Social Research Institute for Northeast Asia, University of Niigata Prefecture (ERINA-UNP) |
I am conducting research on the laws and economy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the relationship between the North and South in the Korean Peninsula, and economic exchange between the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asian and/or Eurasian countries. I will supervise research based on social science methodologies related to these countries and regions.
Erika Miller

Research fields (key words) |
International history (Anglo-American relations, Middle East peace process and oil industry) |
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Career | Dr. Miller completed her Ph.D. at King’s College London with a Scholarship from the Japan Student Services Organization and other several small grants. She was the JSPS postdoctoral fellow at Hitotsubashi University before joining UNP. |
Notes | Senior Lecturer, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
I use a historical approach to understand international affairs, analysing archival sources and oral history based on interviews. I am delighted to supervise any students using historical methodology.
Nanako Miyazaki

Research fields (key words) |
Japanese Applied Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Academic Writing |
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Career | School of Japanese Applied Linguistics, Waseda University. Ph.D. (Japanese Applied Linguistics). Intensive Japanese Course, Asia University, Center for Japanese Language, Waseda University. |
Notes | Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
Graduate students are expected to perform academic presentations as well as do academic writing. One of the most important skills for such presentations and writing is to be able to express one’s thoughts precisely in an easy-to-understand form. In this course, students will develop such skills through repetition of activities and learn practical Japanese expression.
Yaoqian Mu

Research fields (key words) |
Development economics, Urban and regional economics, Chinese economy |
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Career | School of Economics and Business, Hokkaido University. Ph.D. in Economics. He was in The Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia (ERINA) as an associate senior research fellow, and then assumed the present post. |
Notes | Associate Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
My specialization is regional economics, with a special focus on China. My research interest is how local cities survive and why there are growing and declining areas under rapid technological innovation and globalization. I would like to work with students who are interested in regional economic development, policy, industry, corporations, and international cooperation, etc. beyond country borders. I am interested in various regional economies, ranging from Niigata and other coastal areas of the Sea of Japan to the Russian Far East, the northeastern and western parts of China, and South America. Students who are interested in the Chinese economy in general are also welcomed.
Tomoyuki Nakatsuka

Research fields (key words) |
International Mediation Research, Conflict Research, Peace Research |
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Career | MA in Human Security, University of Tokyo, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, Uppsala University |
Notes | Assistant Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
My specialization is international mediation in armed conflicts. The international society attempts to manage conflicts through various diplomatic tools such as armed intervention, peacekeeping, mediation, arbitration, and sanctions. To what extent and when are these means effective? I would like to think about these questions with students, which are closely linked to both the theory and practice of conflict resolution. I am happy to welcome students who are interested not only in international mediation but also in peace and war in general.
Ka Po Ng

Research fields (key words) |
International Relations, China Studies (International politics, security) |
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Career | University of Queensland. Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations. |
Notes | Professor, Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture |
I specialise in International Relations theory and international security, especially security issues in the Indo-Pacific region. My courses emphasise the integration of theory and practice. Students who are interested in applying IR theories to analyse security policies and international affairs are welcome to join me.
Enkhbayar Shagdar

Research fields (key words) |
Development Economics, Mongolian Economy, Trade Policy, Climate Change Policy, Decarbonization, Regional Cooperation in Northeast Asia |
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Career | Originally from Mongolia, Dr. Enkhbayar earned her Ph.D. in Economics from Niigata University. Her research covers international development, climate negotiations, and regional cooperation in Northeast Asia. |
Notes | Professor, the Economic and Social Research Institute for Northeast Asia, University of Niigata Prefecture (ERINA-UNP) |
My current research focuses on Mongolia’s economic development, climate change negotiations, and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on my extensive international experience in research and policy advisory, I’m happy to mentor the next generation of scholars in development and international cooperation.
Isao Kamata
Courses | International Economic Policy |
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Notes | Professor, Faculty of International Economic Studies, University of Niigata Prefecture |
Ikuo Kuroiwa
Courses | International Economic |
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Notes | Professor, Faculty of International Economic Studies, University of Niigata Prefecture |
Tomoyoshi Nakajima
Courses | Introduction to Northeast Asian Studies International Relations of East Asia Special Lecture B |
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Notes | Professor, the Economic and Social Research Institute for Northeast Asia, University of Niigata Prefecture (ERINA-UNP) |