Kiri Paramore
University Lecturer
School of Asian Studies, Leiden University
Arsenaalstraat 1, PO Box 9515
2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
Tel.: +31-(0)71-5271693, Fax: +31-(0)71-5272215
E-Mail: k.n.paramore@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Introduction
I work on a wide range of topics relating to politics and political thought in East Asia.
My primary research focus at the moment is the relationship between politics and religion in the construction of modern nationalism in East Asia. In 2008 I published a monograph which dealt with the history of the ideological exploitation of Christianity in Japan. In the conclusion of that book I followed a number of contemporary scholars in questioning the historical accuracy of the idea of a secularized modernity. I am currently working on a major research project which seeks to look back at the theoretical and ideological constructions of modern secularism through the historical lens of the experience of nation building in East Asia. I hope that this research will not only cast new light on the political history of East Asia, but will also perhaps more importantly contribute to current global discussions relating to the problems inherent in theoretical constructions of modernity, secularity, religion and nation.
In addition to this historical research, I also occasionally write feature articles and supply comment for news magazines on current Japanese politics – particularly party politics. I have written several articles on Japan-China relations, in particular looking at the role of internal LDP politics in the resurgence of Japanese nationalism [http://www.the-diplomat.com/]. I am currently working on a small project relating to the internal party politics of the other major Japanese political party, the DPJ.
Before becoming an academic I worked in the political and diplomatic fields. Before beginning my university studies I worked as parliamentary secretary to a Labor MP in New South Wales. After graduating from university I worked for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where I was employed in the Cabinet and Ministerial Relations section. I resigned from that position to take up a Japanese government research scholarship at the University of Tokyo.
Unrelated to academia, I have also worked extensively in the Japanese film industry. In 1995 I was employed as a special researcher in the international co-productions section of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK). Between 2001 and 2004 I was retained in Tokyo as a consultant to Miramax Films advising on the Japanese film industry. I have subtitled or translated over 25 screenplays, and written industry abstracts on over 250 Japanese films. I represented Miramax as a buyer at The Tokyo International Film Festival on three occasions. I have also worked extensively in the Australian film, television and theatre industries, but primarily as an actor [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0660924/].
Please follow the links below for more details.
Top page || Introduction || Curriculum Vitae || Publications
To the main MEARC Staff and Affiliates page
