Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia
I hope the Japan Foundation scholarships will long be available for many other Canadian scholars interested in conducting research in Japan.
From 2004 to 2005, Professor Edgington conducted research at the Faculty of International Relations in Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto. When not focused on his research, Professor Edginton enjoyed riding bicycles around sightseeing spots of the old capital and attending festivals with his family.
My fellowship research focused on examining emerging policy towards foreign workers in Japan – especially at the local government level. I was able to conduct interviews with 11 ‘dai toshi’, and also the 26 ku wards of Metropolitan Tokyo. I gave presentations on my research, comparing approaches in Japan and Vancouver, BC – both in Kyoto and in Canada at various JSAC meetings. This research will find a publication outlet as part of a monograph I am now writing on urban governance in Japan.
The Japan Foundation was very much appreciated and the research results have found their way into my teaching in the Department of Geography, University of British Columbia. I hope the Japan Foundation scholarships will long be available for many other Canadian scholars interested in conducting research in Japan.
My current research involves monitoring then reconstruction of coastal Tohoku after the 3.11 disasters, and examining the lessons on disaster management for coastal British Columbia.
