My research focus explores the intersection of cultural diplomacy, speculative design, and the evolving landscape of global storytelling. At the heart of this work is the Global Anime Challenge (GAC) and the Artificial Regards framework, two initiatives that address how narratives shape our collective future.

The Global Anime Challenge (GAC) serves as a vital laboratory for the next generation of Japanese creators. Funded by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, this three-year program bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and international markets. My interest lies in how GAC functions as a tool for cultural soft power, facilitating global internships and developing trailers for platforms like Annecy. I examine how these creators navigate the tension between maintaining local artistic identity and adapting to a globalized industry that is increasingly influenced by new production models and digital shifts.

Complementing this is Artificial Regards, a research framework co-developed to explore plural futures. This project utilizes speculative design and AI to move beyond Western-centric or techno-deterministic visions of tomorrow. By integrating science fiction, indigenous knowledge, and emerging technologies, we aim to inform innovation policy and creative practice. Whether through workshops at Waseda University or collaborations with the University of Sydney, the goal is to use AI not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a lens to reveal "artificial" perspectives that challenge our current biases.

Together, these interests allow me to analyze the geopolitics of animation alongside speculative methodologies. I am dedicated to understanding how these frameworks can empower creators and policymakers to envision more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable cultural ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific region and the Global South.