CJR Leadership
Yves Tiberghien, Director
yves.tiberghien@ubc.ca
Yves Tiberghien (Ph.D. Stanford University, 2002; Harvard Academy Scholar 2006; Fulbright Scholar 1996) is a Professor of Political Science, Director Emeritus of the Institute of Asian Research (IAR), Faculty Associate with the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and Co-Director of the Center for Japanese Research (CJR). He is also the Konwakai Chair in Japanese Research at the IAR. Read Prof. Yves Tiberghien’s full bio here
CJR 24-25 Student Staff
Mei Terasawa, Research Assistant/ Event Coordinator
Mei Terasawa's research focuses on East Asia's political economy, with a particular emphasis on Japan, Taiwan, China, and the electric vehicle (EV) market developments in Asia. Mei's recent publication, "Asia: Ground Zero in the Revolution of Electric Vehicle Markets," appeared on the East Asia Forum, where she explored the transformative policies and market trends shaping the region's EV industry. Additionally, she authored the "Japan 2024 Lower House Election Report" for the Centre, providing a detailed analysis of Japan's political landscape. Previously, Mei worked as a Debt Management Intern at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), where she assisted in negotiations for the debt restructuring of the Sri Lankan government. She currently works at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, continuing her commitment to fostering connections and deepening understanding in the Asia-Pacific region.
Alicia Barker-Åström, Event Coordinator/Research Assistant
Alicia Barker-Åström is a student in the Dual Degree between Sciences Po Paris and the University of British Columbia. She got her first Bachelor’s in Politics and Government with a Middle East and North Africa specialization from Sciences Po Campus de Menton. She is currently pursuing an Honours degree in Political Science and International Relations at UBC. Alicia is currently writing her thesis on power and hierarchy within regional organizations as well as a paper on the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a part of the Simons Award for Nuclear Disarmament and Global Security. Previously, Alicia was a student fellow at the Centre for European Studies where she researched social stratification and segregation in Sweden. She has also worked as a Junior Trade Commissioner (Japan, South Korea, Mongolia) and Junior Trade Policy Analyst at Global Affairs Canada, and is currently working as a Project Coordinator with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
Joel Sawyer, Konwakai Chair Program Assistant
Joel Sawyer's policy specialisation focuses on global governance and security in the Indo-Pacific region, with a particular interest in national security and defence policy. He has recently served as a Liaison Officer for Global Affairs Canada (GAC) at the 2024 Vancouver Meeting for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and was assigned to assist delegates from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Additionally, Joel has also been selected for the 2025 Simons Award in Nuclear Disarmamentand Global Security, with his research focusing on the economics of the AUKUS security deal between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Nana Yamamoto, Research Assistant
Nana Yamamoto's academic interests focus on security studies and defence strategies in the Asia-Pacific region, with a particular emphasis on key security alliances such as the U.S.-Japan alliance, trilateral relations with Korea, and the Japan-NATO partnership. Drawing on her experience in international press research, Nana is passionate about exploring the intersection of public opinion, community sentiment, and public satisfaction with security strategies. She is particularly interested in how public education initiatives contribute to raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of defence policies. Nana seeks to examine how these efforts shape public engagement and trust in security strategies, ultimately influencing the effectiveness and resilience of international security frameworks.
Mioko Umemura, Research Assistant
Mioko Umemura's passion rests on exploring Japanese culture by practicing Kyudo (Japanese Archery) and Chado (Tea ceremony) in Vancouver to enhance knowledge and embrace her Japanese identity. Her research interests are Japan's soft power politics via cultural promotion such as Cool Japan measurement and its effectiveness in stimulating cultural exchange, political relationship improvement and advancing Japan's position in the international system. Additionally, she is also interested in the transformative role of climate action in reshaping international politics and Japan's engagement in green politics and its contributions to the global climate action agenda and global collaboration.
Othmane Khaled, Research Assistant
Othmane is also a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia. His academic interests span comparative politics, global environmental and economic governance, and comparative political economy. He is currently contributing to research on the hedging strategies employed by middle powers amid disruptions to the global order. Additionally, Othmane is authoring a paper on the politics of green hydrogen in the Global South, examining how these projects challenge and reshape mainstream theories on renewable energy. Beyond political science, he has a strong interest in history and has conducted research on the travels of Ibn Battuta in the Far East.