I obtained my PhD in comparative culture at International Christian University, Tokyo, in 2009. My dissertation analysed Miyazaki Hayao’s view of Japanese culture and history in comparison with conservative and liberal arguments on Japanese culture (nihonjinron). I am currently writing a research monograph on life and works of Miyazaki Hayao, focusing especially on how he transformed from a cult anime director to an 'auteur' and a semi-intellectual.