Martyn Smith
- 役職/
Position - Former Visiting Lecturer (Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS)
- 研究分野/
Field - History
Q1. Tell me about your research briefly.
A1. My first book examines the transformation of Japanese nationalism and national identity in the postwar period through the rise of consumer society and the popular media. In my latest research project I am interested in the idea of 'modern sound' and the ways in which the process of modernity altered the soundscape of Japan and Asia more broadly.
Q2. In TUFS what are your lecture?
A2. I am currently teaching a course about the occupation of Japan from 1945-1952. The course discusses this important period of Japanese history in the context of the Cold War and the desire, on the part of the US led occupation forces, to democratize and demilitarize the country.
Q3. Japan studies in TUFS have issued a policy to lay emphasis on the reinforcement of the Japan's ability to deliver a message to the world. What do you think is necessary for that?
A3. I think that TUFS is the perfect place to do this. It is important to offer the students the chance to be taught by and interact with researchers and teachers from all over the world.
Q4. How about TUFS and students?
A4. TUFS is a vibrant and exciting place to be. There are students from all over the world studying many different languages and cultures. The students are interesting and eager to learn. The TUFS campus is a great place to work and the surrounding area is a nice place to spend my time in Japan.
Q5. Compared with overseas, what is good in Japan and not good in Japan?
A5. Japan is a comfortable place to live. The food and the beer are great and it is easy and comfortable to travel around and meet interesting people and places. As a historian, I think it would be good for Japanese people to pay a lot more attention to their own history and to become more conscious of the 'outside' world-something which is at the heart of TUFS.