Research Division & Affiliation: Political & Economic Coexistence, Associate Professor
Degree: PhD in Economics (Kyoto University)
Research Areas: Area Studies, Development Economics
After obtaining my Master’s degree and PhD in Economics from Kyoto University, I worked as a special research fellow (PD) at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), a specific assistant professor at the Graduate School of Economics at Kyoto University, and a lecturer and associate professor at the Faculty of Economics and Law at Shinshu University.
I am very excited to be back to Kyoto University this September! It is an intellectually invigorating journey, and I look forward to immersing myself in the pursuit of Southeast Asian Studies through approaches that combine economics and area studies.
Originating from Yunnan, I see myself as a Southeast Asian. I am intrigued by how social norms, cultures, and values shape the ever-evolving landscape of Southeast Asia. My research mission is dual-fold—I examine Southeast Asia from both an insider’s perspective, as a native, and an outsider’s perspective, as a researcher affiliated with the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at Kyoto University.
Over the past 13 years, I have been immersed in ongoing field research in Myanmar, situated in the historically renowned Golden Triangle, famed for its high-yield opium products. Employing methods from both development economics and area studies, my goal is to shed light on the intricacies of the poverty problem in post-opium and post-conflict Myanmar. The crux of my findings reveals a paradoxical scenario—despite the provision of equal opportunities, impoverished households grapple with their utilization. Altruistic tendencies and present bias come to the forefront, resulting in overconsumption and a subsequent widening of income disparities. In essence, when opportunities arise or shocks reverberate, it is the economically fragile households that disproportionately bear the consequences, underscoring their inherent vulnerability.
I am excited about embarking on more rigorous and insightful research undertakings. My commitment extends to making substantial contributions that deepen our comprehension of the socio-economic landscape in Southeast Asia, with a specific focus on the multifaceted aspects that define the region. This involves not only scrutinizing prevalent issues but also unraveling the underlying complexities through meticulous investigation and analysis. I hope my association with the Center for Southeast Asian Studies provides an invaluable platform to engage with experienced field researchers, collectively unraveling new trends and disseminating our research findings on a global scale.
