
Daisaku Higashi
(東 大作)Profile Information
- Affiliation
- Professor, Sophia University in Tokyo
- Degree
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PhD(2012, University of British Columbia)
- J-GLOBAL ID
- 201201079299038920
- researchmap Member ID
- B000219621
Dr. Daisaku Higashi is a professor in the Center for Global Education and Discovery at Sophia University in Tokyo. He worked for NHK, Japan Public TV station as a program director from 1993 to 2004 and produced a numerous TV documentaries, including “Rebuilding Iraq: Challenges of the United Nations” which received the silver medal from UN Correspondents Association in New York in 2004. He then completed his MA and Ph.D in the political science at the University of British Columbia in Canada. He consulted on Afghan policies with top government officials in both Japan and the United States; his policy recommendation to create a new reconciliation mechanism in Afghanistan was adopted by the Japanese government on its Afghan strategy which was announced in November 2009. He then worked for United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) from December 2009 to December 2010 as a team leader for reconciliation and reintegration, stationing in Kabul, and supporting the Afghan government to set up a reconciliation mechanism, such as High Peace Council, international reconciliation trust fund, and Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program that were established in the end of 2010. After he finished one year service in UNAMA, he started working for the University of Tokyo as an associate professor in January 2011. He also served as a Minister-Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN from August 2012 to August 2014, directing the activities of the Japanese mission on mediation and peacebuilding as a part of exchange program between the University of Tokyo and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He returned to the University of Tokyo in August 2014. He transferred to the tenure position at Center for Global Education at Sophia University in April 2016. Since 2018, he has frequently been assigned by Japanese Foreign Minister to visit conflicted states such as Iraq and South Sudan to make intellectual contributions to mediation and peacebuilding; he delivered his lectures at Baghdad University in Iraq and at Juba University in South Sudan, as well as conducting individual discussions with top leadership of these countries, including three vice presidents of Iraq and the first vice president, numerous cabinet members, and opposition leaders of South Sudan. He often delivers his lectures and presentations at UN Headquarters, the International Peace Institute (IPI) in New York, and other academic institutions such as Harvard University and City University of New York to share the outcomes of his field researches. His publication includes "How can we end the war in Ukraine? Limit and Potential of Mediation" (Iwanami Shinsho 2023), "Inclusivity in Mediation and Peacebuilding: UN, Neighboring States and Global Powers" (Edward Elgar 2022), "Civil Wars and Mediation: How can We End the Modern Wars" (Chuko Shinsho 2020), “Challenges of Constructing Legitimacy in Peacebuilding: Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone and East Timor” (Routledge 2015),“Peacebuilding:Researches in Afghanistan and East Timor" (Iwanami Press 2009)”, “Why did we go to the war: dialogue of former enemies in the Vietnam War" (Heibonsha Library 2010). His edition includes "Human Security and Peacebuilding" (Nihon Hyoronsha 2017). (Contact:daisaku-h(at)nifty.com)
Research Interests
3Research Areas
1Research History
7-
Apr, 2018 - Present
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Apr, 2016 - Mar, 2018
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Aug, 2014 - Mar, 2016
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Aug, 2012 - Aug, 2014
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Jan, 2011 - Aug, 2012
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Apr, 1993 - Jul, 2004
Education
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Aug, 2004 - Aug, 2012
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Apr, 1988 - Mar, 1993
Committee Memberships
4-
Apr, 2020 - Mar, 2023
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Sep, 2011 - Aug, 2012
Awards
6Papers
47-
Journal of Foreign Affairs (Japanese), 89, Jan 31, 2025 Invited
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Mar 14, 2024 Invited
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World Insights, Mar, 2024 Invited
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Mainichi Newspaper Online, Oct 19, 2023 Invited
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Gaiko (Foreign Affairs), 79 134-139, Jun, 2023 Invited
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Asia Journal, Apr 28, 2023 Invited
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Mainichi Newspaper Online, Apr 23, 2023 Invited
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Mainichi Newspaper Online, Mar 1, 2023 Invited
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Mainichi Newspaper Online, Jan 6, 2023 Invited
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Traumatic Stress, 20(2) 5-13, Dec, 2022 Invited
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Mainichi Newspaper Online, Aug 21, 2022
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Mainichi Newspaper Online, Aug 12, 2022 Invited
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Research Paper by Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), Aug, 2022 Invited
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Mainichi Newspaper Online, Jul 28, 2022 Invited
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Mainichi Newspaper Online, Jun 20, 2022 Invited
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Minichi Newspaper Online, May 4, 2022 Invited
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Mainichi Online, Apr 20, 2022 Invited
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Research Paper by Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), Apr, 2022 InvitedLead author
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Journal "World", 53-63, Apr, 2022 Invited
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Research Paper by Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), Feb, 2022 InvitedLead author
Books and Other Publications
14-
Iwanami Press, Feb, 2023 (ISBN: 9784004319610)
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Edward Elgar, Jan, 2022
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Chuko Shinsho, Jan, 2020
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Nihon Hyouronsha, Mar, 2017
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Kokusai Shoin, Nov, 2013
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Heibonsha Press, Jul, 2010
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Iwanami Shinsho, Jun, 2009
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Shinchosha, Apr, 2008
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Koudansha, Apr, 2006
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Ashishobou, Nov, 2001
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Iwanami, Mar, 2000
Presentations
179-
NHK (Japan Public TV Station) News Room Tokyo, Feb 28, 2025 Invited
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NHK (Japan Public TV Station), Feb 21, 2025 Invited
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NHK Morning Show from 7am: Interview with Prof Daisaku Higashi, Aug 6, 2024 Invited
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At Annual Meeting of Alumni of Tohoku University Economic Department, Jul 1, 2024 Invited
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Special Session with Prof. Daisaku Higashi hosted by Tohoku University, Jul 1, 2024 Invited
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Lecture for students of Ukraine Cathoric University at Sophia University, Jun 24, 2024 Invited
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Special Lecture hosted by the Club of Electricity in Japan, Jun 19, 2024 Invited
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Lecture hosted by Fujitsu Future Study Center, Jun 13, 2024 Invited
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Lecture hosted by Tokyo Lawyers' Association, May 22, 2024 Invited
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Shinsei Building A Series of Saturday on Peace, May 18, 2024 Invited
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Special Program by NHK BS "International News" on Conflict in Gaza, Apr 5, 2024 Invited
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Interview program by South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) in South Sudan, Feb 20, 2024 Invited
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A Series of Lectures of Prof. Higashi, hosted by South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) in South Sudan, Feb 19, 2024 Invited
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A Series of Lectures of Prof. Higashi, hosted by South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) in South Sudan, Feb 16, 2024 Invited
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A Series of Lectures of Prof. Higashi, hosted by South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) in South Sudan, Feb 14, 2024 Invited
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A Series of Lectures of Prof. Higashi, hosted by South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) in South Sudan, Feb 13, 2024 Invited
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Special Lecture hosted by The Fletcher School at Tuft University in USA, Jan 30, 2024 Invited
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Online Spcial Lecture hosted by Ukraine Cathoric University, Jan 30, 2024 Invited
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Special Interview by NHK (Japan Public TV Station) in Morning Show, Jan 23, 2024 Invited
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Mediation and Peacebuilding in the Age of Division: the War in Ukraine, South Sudan, and AfghanistanSpecial Lecture hosted by the Social Committee of Harbor Towers in Boston in USA, Jan 12, 2024 Invited
Teaching Experience
10-
Apr, 2018 - Present
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Apr, 2018 - Present
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Apr, 2017 - Present
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Apr, 2016 - Present
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Apr, 2016 - Present
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Apr, 2016 - Present
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Apr, 2016 - Present
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Jan, 2011 - Present
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Apr, 2011 - Mar, 2017
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Jan, 2011 - Mar, 2017
Professional Memberships
4-
Aug, 2014 - Present
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Jan, 2011 - Present
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Jun, 2006 - Present
Research Projects
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Sophia University Special Grant to Encourage Researches, Peacebuilding, Sophia University, Apr, 2023 - Mar, 2025
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Kakenhi (Grant in Aid for Scientific Research), Kakenhi Kiban B, Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Apr, 2019 - Mar, 2024
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Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Apr, 2019 - Mar, 2022
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Kakenhi (Grant in Aid for Scientific Research), Kakenhi Kiban B, Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Apr, 2016 - Mar, 2019
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Kakenhi (Grant in Aid for Scientific Research), Kakenhi Kiban B, Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Apr, 2012 - Aug, 2012
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科学研究費助成事業, 基盤研究(B), 日本学術振興会, 2012 - 2012