Research Activities

Research Projects 2026

Preparation of a Handbook for the Study of French West Africa

Outline

This research project, centered on studies of French West Africa (AOF), is designed to compile foundational literature written in Japanese, while also taking into account connections with surrounding regions and comparative themes. Although AOF was part of the French colonial empire and exhibited distinctive institutional structures and political developments, literature available in Japanese is scarce, and information accessible to researchers and graduate students in Japan is limited. This project aims to address that gap by involving early-career researchers and graduate students interested in AOF in sustained research exchange and writing over several years, with the goal of publishing the outcomes in two volumes. The intended readership includes graduate students aspiring to pursue African studies, scholars of other regions, and specialists in history, politics, and society more broadly.

Period

April 2026 - March 2028

Members
Role Member
[ Organizer ] Sato, Akira
[ Co-researcher ] Kowata, Akira(Kyoto University Doctoral Course)
[ Co-researcher ] Yamada, Tomoki(University of Birmingham Doctoral Course)
[ Co-researcher ] Amano, Yuki(School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences Doctoral Course)
[ Co-researcher ] Nakao, Sakiko(The University of Tokyo Lecturer)
[ Co-researcher ] Nakao, Seiji(Kyoto University Associate Professor)

*Affiliations are as of April 2026.

Expected Outcome
  • Book published by IDE (Japanese)