Understanding Transnational Studies: Japan and Global Flows

Michael Facius is an Associate Professor at Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo, specializing in early modern and modern Japanese cultural history within transnational and global contexts. After completing his PhD in Global History and Japanese Studies at Freie Universität Berlin in 2016, he held prestigious positions including a British Academy Newton International Fellowship at University College London. His research focuses on knowledge exchange patterns, language, and translation in Japanese history, with current projects including a book on transnational narratives of early modern Japan and a Kakenhi-funded study on emerging collaborative practices in humanities. His scholarly work spans multiple languages, having taught in German, English, and Japanese at institutions including Freie Universität Berlin, University College London, and the University of Tokyo. At Tokyo College, an interdisciplinary think tank founded in 2019, he contributes to making cutting-edge research accessible through various formats including lectures and digital media. His notable publications include works on transcultural philology in 19th-century Japan, the globalization of historical disciplines, and the transformation of Chinese knowledge in Japanese contexts. Currently, he leads research projects examining the role of early modern history in contemporary Japan and explores innovative approaches to humanities scholarship through public engagement and digital platforms.