Chair of the State of Qatar for Islamic Area Studies كرسي قطر لدراسات المنطقة الإسلاميةWaseda University

Funded Projects:
Professor Megumi Kagawa, “Islamic Values in Hybrid Peacebuilding: The Case Studies of Muslim Mindanao in the Philippines”
Professor Arne Klawitter, “The Correspondence of the German Orientalist Heinrich Friedrich Diez”
Professor Donna Wong, “Towards Increasing Women’s Sport Participation: Lessons from Qatar and Japan”
Professor Nathan Sidoli, “SCIAMVS”
Professor Hung, Tak Wei, “Encounter in Nusantara Archipelago: Interactions between Islam and Oversea Chinese Religions before 1914”
Fumika Watanabe, “Tuning In to Cairo: Transnational Radio, Diplomacy, and the Moroccan Struggle for Independence”

This project examines whether regional security complex theory (RSCT) might provide a basis for understanding and dissecting the concept of the “Indo-Pacific” as a region, and will offer an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of he RSCT approach in this respect. The RSCT concept argues that states’ security focuses remain primarily within their geographical neighborhoods. However, the concept also needs further refinement, in our view, to account for the changing global power balance, the overlapping of many security complexes, and questions over new and emerging complexes and subcomplexes. It is our intention to provide this reassessment and revision of the concept, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. An initial survey and testing of our arguments at the Waseda/ULB workshop in early 2023 confirmed the potential for it, and our intention now is to hold a workshop in early Year 3 of the project, leading to an edited volume as the research outcome, hopefully appearing in 2025.

• Principle Researchers

Mathew Gray, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

Paul Bacon, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

This project will to mould a trilateral relationship between Qatar University, Waseda University, and E-JUST in heritage studies, thereby jointly deepening academic exchange under the theme of Heritage Science Studies in the Middle East. Every year we plan to hold a research workshop and joint research meeting on various topics of Heritage Science, including those such as the conservation and restoration of archaeological sites and artifacts, studies of intangible cultural assets, utilization of state-of-the-art equipment, museology, museum management, etc., at one of these three universities. Moreover, we will also go out into the field or local museums for hands-on training for young post-doctoral researchers and graduate students who will participate in these academic exchanges: one of our goals is to take these young scholars out into the field or museums and train them there. At this time, we would like to host the first-year meeting in Japan, the second year in Qatar, and the third year in Egypt. Furthermore, the results of these conferences and meetings will be published for the world to see.

• Principle Researcher

Testuya Otoshi, Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Waseda University

This study aims to investigate the consciousness and behavior regarding university degrees in the Middle East by applying a quantitative and qualitative approach to five countries in the region.

Middle Eastern countries have witnessed phenomena such as a rapid increase in university degree holders, a mismatch between education and demand in the labor market, a stagnation of the labor market, high unemployment rates among university graduates, and overeducation (over qualification). Such phenomena Paradoxically, the more the value of university degrees in the labor market depreciates, the more people seek higher education degrees have undermined the effectiveness of university degrees in obtaining employment and the social status associated with it, though the extent of these phenomena varies by country. ..

Degree inflation and over-education are rampant in the region, and people have realized that a degree no longer guarantees a job, social status, or a bright future. Still, the number of people seeking degrees has not decreased, and the government continues to build more higher learning institutions to meet people’s demands.

Why do people seek a degree even though degree-based meritocracy is not fully established and the opportunities for getting a prestigious job are scarce? Why do more women seek a university degree even though their labor participation rate is much lower than that of men? Do men and women expect the same benefit from a university degree? Why are people asked to obtain a university degree, although it does not necessarily guarantee higher social status? Why do people think having a degree itself is valuable? To what extent do people believe their degree will foster possibilities in their life? If there is anything other than a profession and social prestige that a degree engenders,what is it? We hope this study will deepen our understanding of the attitudes and awareness of Middle Eastern people toward degrees.

• Principal researcher
  Keiko Sakurai, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
• Co-researcher
  Woohyang Chloe Sim, Assistant Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

The aim of this project is to understand the origins in the crusading period of Middle Eastern perspectives on non-Muslims and their development from that time until today. Focusing primarily on Arabic language chronicles, it will explore how the crusaders are presented, where and how the images ideas and tropes originated, and the impact they have had and continue to have on Muslim relations with non-Muslims today.

Building on the recent success of scholars around the world, the main questions that it will address are:

• How did Muslim writers describe the inhabitants of Europe during the time of the Crusades?
• Where do the images, ideas, tropes and so on that they used originate and how and how far did they use completely new ideas or alter pre-existing ones? How have Muslim writers used and reused each other’s works regarding the Europeans and how has that impacted the historical record?
• To what extent have issues related to internal Muslim politics rather than actual relations with Europeans determined how the latter are portrayed in writings from the medieval period and beyond?
• How and to what extent have the images of Europeans created in the collective memory of the Middle East changed from the end of the crusading period until today?
• How do they continue to impact relations between Muslims and non-Muslims today?

In order to answer these questions, this project will produce a number of related outputs based on a close reading of the evidence from across time and space, taking an inter- and multidisciplinary approach based particularly on history, historiography, and area studies. focus particularly on Arabic chronicles, in addition to other sources such as poetry, religious texts, and travel accounts. In so doing, its outputs are expected to help lay the foundations for future studies by scholars in a range of fields, including Middle Eastern history , Arabic historiography, crusader studies, and contemporary Islamic studies.

• Principle Researcher
  Alexander Mallett, Associate Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

The aim of this project is to revise the history of transnational encounters among intellectuals by examining these interactions through the interconnected lenses of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian intellectuals and their networks. These networks, often established during early periods of study abroad, proved remarkably durable over the decades.

While a wealth of existing research has already illuminated facets of these encounters these studies often focus on individual dyadic exchanges, such as those between European and Japanese intellectuals or European and Muslim thinkers, primarily within the tumultuous era of the world wars and the interwar period. Furthermore, the transnational scope of intellectuals displaced or compelled to relocate during the early decades of the 20th century has been astutely examined.

However, what is conspicuously absent in the existing literature is a unified analytical perspective that considers all three groups—European, Middle Eastern, and Asian intellectuals—in their various interactions.The sustained intellectual exchanges between these groups, as identified through previous collaborations among the project’s participants, reveal an intricate web of connections. These networks often originated in key intellectual hubs such as Berlin, Brussels, Cairo, London, New York, Shanghai, Paris, and Tokyo—a city whose global significance during the prewar era has been regrettably overlooked—as well as colonial metropolises like Singapore. This project will not only take a bold transnational approach but also adopts a trans-war perspective, consciously transcending the traditional historiographical “watersheds” of 1918/19 and 1945, and a trans-imperial lens.

Furthermore, the collapse of empires—such as the Russian Tsarist and Ottoman Empires—provided a critical backdrop to the transnational encounters of intellectuals and the formation of their networks. Simultaneously, the ongoing contestation of still-existing empires—such as the British Empire, with its perennial challenges in India, and the Japanese Empire, marked by pivotal moments such as the Korean independence movement and the May Fourth Movement in China in 1919—served as fertile ground for these intellectual entanglements.

The aim of this project is to explore a comprehensive framework for a global history of such transnational encounters by discussing carefully crafted case studies in two academic events in collaboration with KU Leuven.

• Principle Researcher

Shohei Sato, Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Waseda University

As part of the Second Gulf Studies Symposium, our proposal for the workshop titled ‘Navigating Change: Gender Roles and the Evolution of Social Contracts in the GCC’ has been accepted. We will serve as directors of this workshop, which will be held at George Town University in the US from April 11-12, 2025. Below is the description of the workshop.

The workshop aims to explore the evolving roles of men and women in the context of the GCC’s restructuring of social contracts. As the GCC countries undergo profound socio-economic transformations driven by the transition toward a post-fossil fuel economy, traditional gender roles and relations are being redefined. This workshop will examine how these changes are influencing and modifying the existing social contracts that have historically governed various aspects of life for GCC citizens, including education, welfare, employment guarantees, and social and economic privileges.

The ongoing transition, fueled by demographic pressures, economic diversification, technological innovation, and global competition, is compelling GCC governments to reform their heavily subsidized social contracts. While these contracts have brought prosperity and stability to GCC citizens for decades, their redefinition is expected to significantly impact the public and private lives of GCC citizens, though it remains uncertain whether men and women will be equally affected.

Historically, women in the GCC have had lower labor participation rates than men, despite they have constantly outnumbered men in higher education. The phenomena are reflected in the low rankings of these countries in the Global Gender Gap Index (2024), primarily due to the relatively low labor participation rates among women: Qatar (60%), the UAE (53%), Kuwait (48%), Bahrain (44%), Saudi Arabia (37%), and Oman (32%). Men, as primary breadwinners, have predominantly benefited from guaranteed employment due to their higher labor participation rates. However, the socio-economic changes underway are likely to reshape this dynamic. As part of broader modernization and progressive measures, GCC governments are increasingly prioritizing the inclusion of women in the workforce and politics. This led to a rise in female labor force participation and women’s entry into political roles, including parliamentary, ministerial, and ambassadorial positions. These efforts have notably improved the UAE’s ranking (75th) in the Global Gender Gap Index (2024), though other GCC countries still lag behind: Bahrain (116th), Saudi Arabia (126th), Kuwait (131st), and Oman (136th). Meanwhile, men are being encouraged to pursue higher education, including study abroad to better compete in a knowledge-based economy in general and private-sector employment in particular.

These initiatives are beginning to challenge traditional gender roles, suggesting a shift towards greater gender inclusivity particularly in the public sphere. However, these changes do not immediately disrupt the traditional norms of GCC societies, as the Civil Code, based on Islamic Sharia law, continues to enforce gender-segregated schools and gender-sensitive policies in public sector workplaces. Consequently, the workshop will also discuss the convergence and divergence in the evolving roles of men and women, highlighting the complex interplay between modernization and tradition in the GCC.

Ultimately, the workshop intends to foster a deeper understanding of the evolving gender landscape in the GCC and offer critical insights into the policy needs necessary to develop more effective and equitable measures that address the unique contributions and requirements of both genders, both in public and private life. This understanding is essential for policymakers and social scientists striving to navigate toward a more gender-inclusive and balanced society.

• Principle Researchers

Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

Keiko Sakurai, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

Shiite theological training at Islamic seminaries and secular higher education have been the two pillars of Iran’s cultural and educational diplomacy since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. This study aims to examine these two pillars—first, by analyzing Iranian cultural diplomacy in countries where Shia Muslims are a minority; and second, by investigating Iran’s policy on the internationalization of its higher education system..

The objective of this research is to explore, through fieldwork and literature review, how Iran engages with Shia communities outside its borders, particularly in countries where Shia Muslims constitute a minority. This includes establishing branches of Islamic seminaries, inviting local youth for theological training in Iran, and conducting other religio-cultural activities. Based on an analysis of Iran’s outreach efforts, this study examines how Iran’s cultural and educational diplomacy influences the ways in which local Shia communities shape and renegotiate their religious, ethnic, and political identities in relation to the Sunni majority.

The second focus of this project explores Iran’s cultural and educational diplomacy through the internationalization of its higher education system. Iran seeks to increase the number of international students enrolled at its universities and has established branch campuses, primarily in neighboring countries of diplomatic significance. These efforts aim to generate revenue, expand Iran’s academic influence, and promote the religio-cultural ideology of the Islamic Republic. By analyzing these initiatives, this study seeks to shed light on how Iran utilizes higher education as a strategic tool to advance its political objectives.

Women’s empowerment in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states is often credited to recent, state-led reforms—such as expanded access to higher education and targeted employment initiatives—that have emerged from modernization efforts and global visibility strategies. While these reforms have undoubtedly played a crucial role in increasing women’s public participation, they tend to overshadow the experiences of those Gulf women who entered higher education or assumed leadership positions before 2000, when government support was minimal and society largely expected women to remain within the domestic sphere.

This project aims to shed light on the achievements and strategies of these so-called “pioneering” women who challenged conventional social norms by pursuing higher education at a time when such aspirations were rarely encouraged. Focusing on the 1980s and 1990s—before comprehensive state policies were established—this study draws on archival research and in-depth interviews to examine how personal ambition, family support, and local community cooperation facilitated these women’s academic and professional growth. In doing so, it highlights the pivotal role of individual initiative in a context where formal institutional backing was scarce.

Based on these findings, the project will then compare the approaches and outcomes of these early achievers with those of Gulf women who have benefited from large-scale, government-led programs in the 21st century. By contrasting pre-2000 cases with more recent policy shifts, we seek to understand how personal and community-level efforts interact with top-down mechanisms—such as scholarships, legal reforms, and gender quotas. This comparison will clarify the extent to which government initiatives have effectively built upon earlier experiences, as well as identify the challenges that continue to hinder women’s full participation in professional and public spheres.

Ultimately, this project aims to fill a significant gap in the existing literature by revisiting the contributions of women who achieved success long before state-led frameworks became commonplace. Recognizing these foundational efforts offers a more comprehensive understanding of how higher education and social dynamics in the Gulf have evolved over time and under varying levels of government intervention. Moreover, it will foster broader discussions on changing women’s roles in the region, providing insights on how to shape policies that build upon and further amplify the progress made by earlier generations.

• Principle Researcher

Woohyang Chloe Sim, Assistant Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

Keiko Sakurai, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

After a seven-year rift, the two great powers of the Middle East have re-established their relations. This reconciliation is reshuffling the geopolitical balance in the region and beyond. A historic meeting took place between the two historic rival powers on March 19th 2023, after which Saudi Arabia’s King extended an open invitation to Iranian President to visit Riyadh in the near future. This invitation comes shortly after the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Concluded under the aegis of China on March 10th  the agreement signed by Teheran and Riyadh provides for the reopening of Saudi and Iranian embassies within two months, the resumption of security talks, and economic cooperation. This process of rapprochement seems to have begun in Iraq back in 2021, after a five-year break. Saudi Arabia and Iran had ended all ties in 2016 when Saudi diplomatic missions were attacked in Iran, in response to Riyadh’s execution of a famous Shiite religious leader.

This rapprochement also raises hopes of de-escalation in the region, or even reconciliation, in war-torn countries where the two powers support opposing sides. Since 2015, in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has led a pro-government coalition fighting the Tehran-backed Houthis. On March 12, the Iranian mission to the UN declared that the agreement with Riyadh would accelerate the ceasefire, help start a national dialogue and form an inclusive national government in Yemen. In Syria, since the start of the war in 2011, Iran has been the main supporter of President Bashar Al-Assad, while Saudi Arabia backed the opposition fighters. The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the agreement as an important step that will lead to the strengthening of security and stability in the region. The recent events in Syria signals the beginning of a new era in MENA geopolitics. Iraq, since the fall of President Saddam Hussein in 2003, has been another area of rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia. In 2019, a vast leak of Iranian intelligence documents had shown the extent of Tehran’s political, economic and religious stranglehold in the country. Some commentators believe that Iraq is the main beneficiary of the re-establishment of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which will ease the pressure on the Iraqi scene. In Lebanon, this new agreement suggests a way out of the political crisis. Last but not least, this agreement sounds like a setback for Israel. Israeli opposition leaders deplored what they perceive as a total and dangerous failure of the current Israeli government’s foreign policy. For sure, this arrangement complicates Tel Aviv’s plans to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and additional Arab countries, in its strategy of isolating Tehran.

All told, this unexpected Saudi-Iranian rapprochement raises hopes but several questions too, especially that it has been brokered by China, the main global rival of the US, which now defies its opponent in what has been so far a US-controlled region. This edited volume aims at considering the geopolitical shifts in the MENA region, and its global ramifications from different perspectives and by a multidisciplinary team of academic experts and researchers in international affairs, security, socio-economic, and political fields.

• Principle Researchers

Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

The digital age has ushered in profound changes in how states and organisations conduct diplomacy, mediate conflicts, and interact with stakeholders. As sovereignty and strategic autonomy are increasingly shaped by digital tools and technologies, understanding their impact on mediation practices has become essential. This workshop explores the role of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) in mediation, highlighting their benefits, challenges, and risks in peacemaking. It also emphasizes the need for collaboration between mediation practitioners and the tech sector, focusing on four thematic areas: trust-building in cybermediation, the role of digital data, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and the broader implications of digital diplomacy.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in mediation. Global lockdowns and travel restrictions forced mediators and support actors to rely heavily on digital tools to maintain communication with conflict parties and stakeholders. This shift underscored both the potential and limitations of cybermediation. While these technologies enabled continued dialogue despite physical barriers, they also raised critical issues around trust, data security, and accessibility.

Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives, the workshop plans to discuss how digital tools can enhance or hinder trust among conflict parties. This conversation highlighted the urgent need to address the ethical and practical challenges of using ICTs in mediation processes bridging the Gulf accelerated digital rise and Japan leading best practices in the field.

• Principle Researchers

Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

Donald Trump’s second term presents both opportunities and challenges for Gulf states amid a changing geopolitical landscape. Arab Gulf nations are proactively addressing intra-Gulf discord, seeking resolutions to the Yemen conflict, and improving relations with Iran and Turkey. This reflects a significant shift and growing regional agency since Trump’s first presidency. However, economic challenges compel these nations to focus on diversifying away from oil dependency while fostering stability in a volatile region. The previous administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran proved ineffective, heightening tensions and exposing vulnerabilities, as seen in the 2019 attacks on Saudi Aramco. As Trump resumes office, Gulf leaders are wary of a return to confrontational policies with Iran. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a de-escalation trajectory, fearing it could jeopardize their recent reconciliation efforts. Additionally, the normalization of relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords may expand, involving nations like Saudi Arabia but potentially provoking backlash from Palestinians and other regional actors. With geopolitical uncertainties, including the war in Ukraine and tensions in Gaza, Gulf states must navigate complex partnerships and the implications of Trump’s fossil fuel advocacy for U.S.-Gulf relations.

• Principle Researchers

Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

The Gaza war sparked regional conflicts that spread to different parts of the Middle East. Israel’s invasion of Lebanon brought the country to the brink of crisis, and the Assad regime in Syria collapsed under the onslaught of anti-regime forces. The Houthi movement in Yemen continues to attack ships in the Red Sea and launch attacks on Israel, and tensions between Iran and Israel remain high.

This workshop we will use the ‘scenario planning’ method to consider the following two questions:
1. If the current conflicts in the Middle East continue to escalate, what will the situation be like in the Gulf in 2030?
2. How could instability in the Middle East and the Gulf affect Asian countries?

The workshop will bring together experts from the Gulf, the United States, Japan and Asian countries to discuss scenario building and implications over two days.

• Principle Researchers

Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

The purpose of this event is to discuss the translation and publishing activities of Manga Productions and Manga Arabia, founded by Isam Bukhari, a graduate of Waseda University, in Saudi Arabia, as well as the emerging content industries in the Arab world influenced by Japan. The event will feature Dr. Bukhari and staff from the anime and manga departments, and will focus on the reception of Japanese content, the translation of Japanese content into the Arab context, and the development of new content industries inspired by Japanese products in the Arab world. Along with the lecture, a discussion session between the guest speakers and Waseda University students interested in anime and manga will be organized. There is another aim for this event, which is related to the fact that many of the over 150 staff members working at the company studied at Japanese universities, including master’s or doctoral programs, and some even had work experience in Japanese companies after graduation. Their role as a bridge between Japan and the Arab world in the field of content industry should also be highlighted.

• Principle Researchers

Keiko Sakurai, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

Woohyang Chloe Sim, Assistant Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University