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Waseda University released the fifth episode, “Hybrid Peacebuilding: Local Voices in Conflict Resolution”, of season two of its English language podcast series “Rigorous Research, Real Impact” on November 18, 2025. All podcast episodes are available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

Episode 5: “Hybrid Peacebuilding: Local Voices in Conflict Resolution”

The fifth episode of season two, hosted once again by Graduate School of Economics PhD student Fabian, welcomes Associate Professor Megumi Kagawa from Waseda’s Faculty of Social Sciences, whose research focuses on community-driven approaches to sustainable peace. Drawing on her extensive experience in the Bangsamoro peace process in the Southern Philippines, Professor Kagawa discusses the concept of hybrid peacebuilding, the challenges of translating national peace agreements into local realities, and Japan’s evolving role in fostering peace and social innovation in Asia. The conversation also explores Waseda’s Transnational and Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Innovation (TAISI) program, an English-based degree program where students from around the world engage in hands-on learning, dialogue, and fieldwork that bridge theory and practice in conflict resolution.

This episode is based on the following research: 
Kagawa, M. (2022). Uneven Peace Infiltration: Two Case Studies of Rebel-Led Community Peace Initiatives in the Bangsamoro. In: Allen, S.H., Hancock, L.E., Mitchell, C., Mouly, C. (eds) Confronting Peace. Rethinking Political Violence. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. 

About Season 2

Season two features eight knowledgeable Waseda researchers casually conversing with Waseda PhD students about their recent, rigorously conducted research in the humanities/social sciences, their thoughts on working in Japan at Waseda, and the merits of the English-based degree programs they are a part of. Short 15-minutes episodes will cover a range of themes that include translanguaging in the Japanese sociolinguistic context, legendary game designer Hideo Kojima, and hybrid peacebuilding. It’s the perfect choice for international listeners considering attending university in Japan, current students contemplating further study in graduate school, and researchers looking to make the move to Japan and work for a university that stresses the importance of interdisciplinary approaches.

About the Guest
Megumi Kagawa is an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Waseda University. Her research fields include international relations and conflict analysis & resolution, with a particular interest in peacebulding. She is a member of The Japan Association of International Relations, The American Political Science Association, Conflict Research Society, and the International Studies Association. 

Transcript:

Introduction 

MC Fabian Johannes (0:06):
Hello again, and welcome to Waseda University’s English podcast series titled “Rigorous Research, Real Impact.” In this series, we dive into interesting conversations and stories from Waseda’s vibrant academic and cultural community. I’m your host, Fabian Johannes, a PhD student in the Graduate School of Economics here at Waseda.

MC Fabian (0:26):
In today’s episode, we’re looking into the complex and vital field of conflict analysis and peacebuilding. We’ll be discussing how communities and nations navigate the difficult path from conflict to resolution and what it takes to build a sustainable peace from the ground up.

We’re grateful to have Associate Professor Megumi Kagawa from the Faculty of Social Sciences as our guest expert today. Her work focuses on conflict analysis and peacebuilding, with extensive research on local, community-led peace initiatives, particularly in the context of the Bangsamoro peace process in the Southern Philippines.

Understanding Hybrid Peacebuilding and Local Initiatives

MC Fabian (1:08):
Welcome to the show, Professor Kagawa.

Professor Megumi Kagawa (1:10):
Thank you for having me. It was my pleasure.

MC Fabian (1:13):
Professor, your research, such as your chapter on “Uneven Peace Infiltration,” offers an important look at peace processes from the ground up. You explore how national peace agreements impact local, pre-existing peace initiatives led by the communities involved in the conflict. Could you explain the challenges these local communities face when a national agreement is implemented and perhaps introduce what is meant by “hybrid peacebuilding” in such contexts?

Professor Kagawa (1:40):
Okay, let’s start from there, what that means, “hybrid peacebuilding.” Because “hybrid” means starting and mixing with one and another one. And then one thing is about liberal peacebuilding, which is institutional building, like in other words, state-building. And then another one is a local customary governance, so how local community tries to govern themselves and then trying to hybridize. Because if you are imposing an international norm of liberal peacebuilding, they might defend. So that’s why we’re trying to mix it and then hybrid the peacebuilding. And then also in the reality, even if they sign a peace agreement, it might not be implemented soon. So, we’re trying to find a way of how to implement it.

And also it could be the elite-led peacebuilding. So, for ground people, if they have a different kind of social hierarchy, it’s difficult to go down–all the peace dividend on the ground. So, we’re trying to find out how we can try to give them a space to live.

That’s why my research is a local peacebuilding, because the local community is the space for people to live. So that’s how people make a life and then how they build a peace. And that’s the space of the first and the last peacebuilding. So, people started to build the peace from on the ground, and it might break from the local level, not from the top level. So that’s why it’s very important to research and work for maintaining the peace and starting the peace and encouraging the peace. Local peacebuilding is very important, so that’s why I’m looking from the ground-up situation.

 And then also the legal rationale source to gain the power sometimes can be abused. Culturally, it might be a different way they interpreted institutional law. So that’s why we’re trying to look for the more soft power to govern themselves. War divided the people into different communities, so we have to bridge communities. So, all the communities are divided, so we try to find a way to bridge them to each other. My definition of hybrid peacebuilding is not only the mixing with the institutional or liberal peacebuilding and then the local governance system, but also mixing with the rebel governance, because the rebel is the one who are in the peace process and also they are the one with the power in transition time. So that’s why I mean “hybrid”–it means a three-way mix.

From Practitioner to Researcher: A Journey into Peacebuilding

Professor Kagawa (4:08):
And then you wonder why being in the Philippines almost 15 years on the ground.

MC Fabian (4:13):
That’s a long time.

Professor Kagawa (4:14):
Yes, that’s a long time commitment. Because as a Japanese, I feel my social obligation to contribute the peace in the Philippines because 85 years ago, Japanese were the invader in the Philippines. But this time, we are the supporter for the peace. So that’s why not only researching itself but also trying to work with them to build a peace.

MC Fabian (4:36):
So those were your personal reasons to choose this area that you wanted to contribute to.

Thank you very much for these insights, Professor. I think they provide a clear picture of the complexities at the local level. But it makes me curious about your own path to this field. Your course syllabi mention a rich background working with various organizations like JICA and the UN University. Can you briefly tell us what these institutions focus on and how these experiences in international cooperation led you to your current academic research on conflict and peacebuilding?

Professor Kagawa (5:08):
First of all, I wanted to work in this field, and then I started the career from working on more security studies, like a terrorist, counter-terrorist operations. So, my first work was in the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C., a think tank. It’s a NATO-based think tank. So I worked with the military side and then also intelligence side. And then later, I worked as a secretary to the former Japanese Diet member. So, I’ve been working for them from behind the scene, how their diplomatic negotiation and international policy goes on. And then also I worked in the UN University, so how the international norm in peacebuilding has been echoing and implementing in the international community.

But at the same time, I also worked at the Japanese government to implement the peacekeeping operation. And then I planned and implemented and evaluated from Tokyo to the conflict zone. So, but each time, each mission, I felt the peace dividends are not going to the ground. So, people are still suffering. So maybe even peace infiltration that I felt. So I need to find something like a policy, operational, and diplomatic tool to implement more people-friendly tool. Of course, Japan has some security tools, but still, we need to have something more easy to use for the different actors and then the different organizations. So this is why I decided to go to academia, because when I was trying to operate some PKO missions, I found that academic researchers are very far from the reality. And it’s very difficult to apply in our area. So that’s why I thought, okay, something we all can use it, and then we can more deliver peace on the ground.

MC Fabian (6:59):
So you mentioned a “peace dividend” before. So, can we understand that this is the impact of your work to the people that are affected? Would that correct? So, you basically went from the top level through academia to the ground level because you think the peace dividend that you can provide will be more or bigger for the people?

Professor Kagawa (7:16):
Yes, and then also I didn’t feel like a filtering the peace from the top level to the ground level. So, I wanted to have something tool to go flow, everything goes in between. So that’s why I become an academic researcher from the ground level.

The Significance of Researching Peacebuilding from Japan

MC Fabian (7:34):
That’s fascinating to hear how your practical experiences have so deeply informed your academic work. Now this brings me to the context of why you’re based now in Tokyo, Japan, at Waseda University. Now from the perspective of your field, what is the significance of researching peacebuilding and conflict resolution from Japan? How does being here shape your perspective on global conflicts, particularly in Asia?

Professor Kagawa (8:00):
As you know, Japan has a very less resources and then also is a small country. But we started the war and also we recovered from the war. So, this is sending a message to those who are trying to build a peace now. So this is a kind of encouraging them to go, “Look, Japan could do it, why not you?” So that’s us trying to working with them and trying to find the way we could be better for you. Not copy and paste of our way, but still we can try to talk about–maybe we can try to think together how we can work together.

I think Japan has some flexible cultural adaptability. So, whatever the new things, we think it’s fun or good or nice, we adapt. So, I think this flexibility will be open to the many innovations. So that’s why Japan is a good place to start, like peacebuilding, we need innovation. So that’s why I thought it’s good to be staying in Japan and then learning like how Japanese are adopting different things. And then also providing diversity. And then that’s how we love to adapt and then also accommodate many things and then renovate our Japanese way. So, everybody can maybe do the same way or a different way. So, they can choose. So, Japan, we choose and then mixing with everything, and I think it’s that’s the one way they can learn from how we hybrid maybe.

The society itself is we keep the freedom of speech. And then those who want to innovate, social innovation, we need to talk. So, dialogue is important. So, I think this is Japan is a good place to do social innovation. And then also we have a physically good infrastructure, and then easy to move around in Tokyo, and then you can find the different kind of cuisines, so it’s good to stay and then you can experience different kind of culture, multi-culture place. And also, Japan is a gateway to the Asia. So, if you like to explore Asia, Japan could be the good gateway.

MC Fabian (10:04):
You have already touched upon why it’s interesting to be in Japan from that perspective. Now, how would you say do students and the academic community here in Japan engage with topics like peacebuilding, which might seem still geographically a bit distant but are globally relevant?

Professor Kagawa (10:21):
We are trying to reflect how and what we have been through, but also it’s kind of a different context, but still I think we can try to share and learn. And then Japanese society also know what the war means to the people.

Studying Peacebuilding at Waseda’s Faculty of Social Sciences

MC Fabian (10:37):
Now I’d like to shift our conversation for any potential future Waseda students listening today. And hearing about your research and experience, I’m sure many would be excited about the chance to study these topics here at Waseda University. Now for students interested in peacebuilding and international cooperation, what makes Waseda’s School of Social Sciences and the Transnational and Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Innovation, or TAISI program, a unique and appealing place to learn?

Professor Kagawa (11:05):
I think the School of Social Sciences’ English degree program, we call the TAISI program. This is kind of unique, and we are very small community compared to other English programs at Waseda. And that’s why I remember every single student’s name, and then I know how they have grew up and their capacity too. We’re trying to give a very detailed comments. So that’s I think I see their development within the four years.

MC Fabian (11:31):
Sounds like very tailor-made education.

Professor Kagawa (11:33):
It’s very much. And then also because peacebuilding, we need to know how to talk. So, in my classes, we have a discussion-based class. And then 60% of students come from all over the world. So that means it’s kind of an everyday model UN. So, in my class, sometimes I have 20 different countries from six different continents. So, we talk about the peace. Of course, everybody has a different background of peace and governance, but we learn from each other. So, my class, first we have a lecture class and then also other 20 minutes is for the group discussion. So, people can learn not only reflecting a topic, but also how they talk with other students or nationalities. Our program’s required credits are lower than other places. That means you have more freedom to choose. If you know the specific topic you like to study, we are very intense. So, I think it’s good for the student to learn.

We have a field work. My class is one of the field work classes. I take them to the Philippines to meet with the local people, how they talk, and then visiting with a JICA office or visiting with an embassy. And then how the diplomat works, how UN works, and how all of the international actors work together. And then this is not only learning their work, but also your future job. If you think about what kind of career you want to do, maybe you can peek at their work. So, I think it’s good to go. My class is not only the theoretical background, but also about the practical issues. So, I will teach them how to make a project proposal, how to get the budget. Because if you don’t have budget, nothing can do. So, I think we are trying to do something unique. And also, I keep the Chatham House policy. So, people can talk freely in my class, but people can use the information they learn in the class but cannot identify who said what. So, because we have different kind of students, we come from all over the world. So, it’s not only the…some countries don’t have the freedom of speech. And that’s why we trying to guarantee their space to talk. So that’s how we trying to enjoy talking about war with 20 different nationalities. And then in reality, those countries might be fighting each other, but we are still trying to talk. So, I think this is not only the theoretical part, but also they learn how to talk with other people too.

MC Fabian (14:07):
That sounds like a very unique spirit of the education. Maybe you can give a few examples, because you mentioned the students learn a variety of skills, which probably equips them to go into different fields after graduation. So, what would be typical careers your former students landed jobs in?

Professor Kagawa (14:23):
Actually, my students, many of them went to the grad schools, and then they are focusing on peacebuilding and international corporations. So, they are keen to work in the peacebuilding.

MC Fabian (14:35):
So that would mean probably in capacities like think tanks or governmental organizations?

Professor Kagawa (14:39):
Or like an international NGOs, or UN agencies. That’s what they’re looking for.

A Final Message for Future Students

MC Fabian (14:47):
Professor Kagawa, thank you very much for being our guest today and for providing such a lot of very interesting insights. Now, before we finish, do you have a final message for students around the world who might be thinking about studying at Waseda or even researchers who might be considering taking up a position in Japan?

Professor Kagawa (15:05):
Social innovation and peacebuilding will be born from the dialogue, and then we need to respect also diversity. So, Waseda can offer these environments and some political conditions too. And so this is…we are open, Japan and also Waseda are opening the door for the all who want to study and then research. So, I think we are looking forward to working with you. Come to Waseda.

MC Fabian (15:30):
Thank you so much for your time and for sharing your expertise with us, Professor Megumi Kagawa.

Professor Kagawa (15:34):
My pleasure. Thank you very much.

Conclusion

MC Fabian (15:42):
And thanks to all our listeners as well. For more conversations from the corridors of Waseda University, don’t forget to subscribe and tune in to the next episode on “Rigorous Research, Real Impact.” Until then, take care and stay curious.