Why Japan?

I believe that Japan is an important case study for many other parts of the world when area study seems to decline in the era of decolonization and globalization, or to transform its focus to more vibrant places as Japan is (discursively) undergoing the "lost decades". 

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Japan is advanced in tackling demographic "decline" and industrial digitalization. But it also has a "bad" digital reputation because of what I call "analog inertia" (such as cash, paper, and inkan culture) and an emphasis on "human relationships". All the ambiguities make Japan an exceptionally wonderful case to study how technology can best serve individual and community well-being in an increasingly digitalized future.

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Lastly, studying Japan enables me to combine my personal interest and professional capabilty. It's fun and fulfilling!