Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies

Waseda University

Ken MIICHI

Ken MIICHI
Posted
2019年8月20日(火)

 

  • Position: Professor
  • Degree: Ph.D. in Political Science, Kobe University
  • Background:
    Lecturer and Associate Professor, Faculty of Policy Studies, Iwate Prefectural University (2007-2017)
    Associate Professor, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University (2017-2019)
    Professor, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University (2019-present)

Field of Specialization

Comparative Politics, Southeast Asian Studies

Research Theme

State and society in Indonesia, Islam and politics, Religion and gender

Major Works / Publications / Awards

Articles:

  • “Feminist strategies in a Muslim democracy: case study of the 2019 marriage law revision in Indonesia”, Contemporary Islam, 2025.
  • “Indigenizing Islamism in Indonesia: Prosperous Justice Party’s Approaches Towards Traditionalist Muslims”, Politics, Religion and Ideology, 24(1), 2023, 120-133.
  • “Playful Relief: Folk Performing Arts in Japan after the 2011 Tsunami”, Asian Ethnology, 75(1), 2016, 139-162.

Books:

  • Southeast Asian Politics in the Era of Social Media (in Japanese), co-edited with Yuka Kayane, Akashi Shoten, 2020.
  • Southeast Asian Muslims in the Era of Globalization, co-edited with Omar Farouk, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
  • Religious Market and Politics in Indonesia (in Japanese), NTT Publications, 2014

Awards

  • The 1st Asia Pacific Research Scholarship Prize (2002)

Academic Societies / Service to Society

Academic Societies

  • Japan Society for Southeast Asian Studies
  • Japan Association for Comparative Politics
  • Japan Association of International Relations

Service to Society

  • Program Advisor, the Asia Center, the Japan Foundation (2011-2018)
  • Southeast Asia Regional Committee Member, Asia Statespersons’ Forum, Sasagawa Peace Foundation (2022-)

Research Project

  • MA: Society and Politics in Asia
  • Ph.D.: Contemporary Politics in Southeast Asia

Research Theme, Outline of Project Research Seminar, Message to Prospects

As of December 2025, our students come from Cambodia, China, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Their research explores themes such as the roles of religion, gender, social movements, political parties, media, and popular culture in the politics of Asian countries. We also welcome students who wish to pursue area studies on Southeast Asia or research on Islam and politics, as well as those who hope to apply such knowledge in professional careers.

Stepping outside what one takes for granted is, in my view, the first step in area studies. Experiences of strangeness, absence, or confusion in encounters with different cultures often generate fruitful comparative research (see Benedict Anderson, “Frameworks of Comparison,” London Review of Books, 2016).

This project seeks to examine such forms of “strangeness” and “absence,” with a particular focus on contemporary Asian politics. Its scope and analytical focus are not confined to politics in the narrow sense within a single nation-state. Students are also strongly encouraged to engage seriously with local languages and to develop a deep familiarity with history and culture.

Course List

Course List

Web Page / Researcher DB

Faculty Spotlights

※Please click the thumbnail below to view the detailed version (PDF) or the interview video.
◆Digital Book
◆Interview Video

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