HATSUKANO Naomi

Previous research

I graduated from the University of Tokyo with a BA in Law in March 2001 and a Master of International Studies in March 2003 before joining the JETRO Institute of Developing Economies in April 2003. Since 2004, I have worked on a research project on the Mekong Subregion focusing on Cambodia. From 2007 to 2009, I went to the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as a visiting researcher, and from 2012 to 2016, I worked at the Bangkok Research Center at the JETRO office in Bangkok, Thailand.

Current research projects

I am deeply interested in contemporary Cambodian society and politics as well as international development cooperation. In my first trip to Cambodia 20 years ago, I was very impressed with the energetic atmosphere there. Since that time, I have maintained a keen interest in Cambodia and its people. After joining the JETRO Institute of Developing Economies, I have written the Cambodia chapter in the Yearbook of Asian Affairs (in Japanese) since 2007. I have also long been interested in international development cooperation and border area cooperation in Cambodia, human mobility in the Mekong subregion, and so on. Recently, more Cambodians have come to work in Japan, so I am also trying to learn about their working environments and career plans.