The Advantage of Studying International Politics in a Research Group from the First Year

A major reason I chose SFC was the appeal of its faculty. Even before enrolling, I wanted to conduct research under Professor Tomoki Kamo, Dean of the Faculty of Policy Management, who is at the forefront of Chinese political studies. SFC also brings together professors who are leaders in various fields of international political studies, from the politics of the United States and European countries to that of the Middle Eastern Islamic world. The ability to conduct cross-disciplinary research in international politics, not limited to China, was another key point.

Furthermore, students can use Keio University's facilities beyond the campus, such as the Media Center and archives. I felt it was the optimal environment for studying modern Chinese politics.

Just after I was accepted to SFC, I had the opportunity to attend a forum on China where Professor Kamo was one of the speakers. That was my first contact with him. Afterward, I told him I wanted to join his research group and explained my reasons, and I was able to join the "Modern Chinese Politics and Comparative Political Studies" research group right after enrolling. Looking back, he may have judged that since I was already proficient in Chinese, I would be able to keep up with the research group without falling behind.

Being able to join a research group early on is a major advantage of studying at SFC. I believe it offers the benefit of having more time to delve into research than at other universities and receiving training for the preparation of a graduation thesis, which is the culmination of one's studies.

I was born in Shanghai, China, and attended local schools through high school. At the same time, I was exposed to both Chinese and Japanese cultures by interacting with the Japanese community in Shanghai and by attending school in Japan during the long vacations from my local school, as the schedules differed.

Through this lifestyle, I naturally developed a strong interest in international politics, especially East Asian affairs. Since junior high school, I have made an effort to gather information not only from China but also from a wide range of countries like Japan and the United States, comparing and examining it to reconstruct the facts in my own way. Although I started this independent study out of curiosity, I believe it has led to the information-gathering skills I use in my current research.

Around my second or third year of high school, I reflected on what I wanted and ought to do in university and chose the path of international political studies. Looking back on my efforts and what I had built up over the years, I think it was a natural choice.

Currently, I am engaged in research on the history of the Chinese Communist Party and the policy-making process of its leadership. I am confident that I have been more exposed to the culture and human nature of China than those who study China in Japan, and more exposed to the culture and human nature of Japan than those who study Japan in China. Thanks to this, I can sense the subtle differences in sentiment between China and Japan—nuances that are difficult to express in words. Because I understand the sentiments of both sides, I can view various matters calmly and objectively, without being swayed by either. This has become my source of confidence in advancing my research.

In the research group, Professor Kamo presents new perspectives and recommends materials to access. For instance, he might say, "That information is in this document; if you investigate it carefully, you will find the details." My research method is based on literature review—gathering materials, picking out key parts related to the theme, and then analyzing and interpreting them—so this kind of support is a great help.

I also gain a lot from interacting with international students. Due to my research field, I interact frequently with Chinese students, but even among them, each person's circumstances and experiences are different. I always find something insightful in their stories.

In the future, I plan to advance to a master's program and then reconsider whether to proceed to the Doctoral Programs to deepen my research, or to aim for a research position in a company or an affiliation with a research institution.

At SFC, the faculty members are leading experts in diverse fields, and the learning environment is well-equipped in every aspect, allowing students to engage in cutting-edge research in any area. Therefore, I believe that to enjoy the benefits of SFC to the fullest, it is better not to spend too much time finding your field of interest. In that sense, it is particularly suitable for people who have a clear vision and a strong desire to research a specific field.

The distance between faculty and students is very close. The research group I belong to is like a family, in a way, and we can contact each other easily. However, this closeness is not one that allows for taking the easy way out; it is a closeness for the purpose of high-quality learning. I think the best thing about SFC is that while the faculty members are leading experts in diverse fields, there are no barriers between them and the students.