Assistant Professor ABE Kodai, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences

In the dynamic world of academia, a recently published book has captivated students and educators across Japan. A New Introduction: Academic Writing, written by Professor ABE and published by Kobunsha, has gained widespread attention, becoming a bestseller at university coops nationwide since its release last July. This comprehensive guide to academic writing has resonated with readers due to its innovative approach and practical insights.

Reflecting on his motivation for writing the book, Professor ABE explains:
"Most of the essential elements of academic writing are knowledge and skills that can be reproduced. However, these are not well integrated into the curriculum of Japanese universities. I wanted to change that and create opportunities for more people to begin their research and contribute to the development of the humanities."

The book's success has exceeded expectations. By the end of last year, it had reached its ninth printing, with 45,000 copies in circulation, and digital editions pushing the total toward 50,000. He recalls:
"We had hoped the book would be a long seller, but we did not anticipate such high sales."

One of the book's most notable features is its novel approach on defining a thesis. Professor ABE challenges the traditional notion that a thesis must begin with a question. Instead, he argues:
"A thesis is a piece of writing that presents an argument of academic merit and defends its validity."

This perspective, which shifts the focus toward making a clear claim, has resonated with readers. The book is carefully organized into four sections: Principles, Practice, Advanced, and Exercises. Each section provides detailed guidance on crafting academic papers, from understanding citation principles to building compelling arguments. His methodical approach, developed since his undergraduate days, breaks down complex tasks into manageable steps, making academic writing more accessible.

Professor ABE specializes in Japanese and American cultural history, which involves analyzing history through novels, films, and other cultural objects. He received his Ph.D. from Binghamton University in New York in May 2023 and joined the University of Tsukuba in August. Before studying abroad, he majored in American literature, focusing on Japanese and American writers. While overseas, he began to reflect on the purpose of the humanities. Through analyzing top humanities journals, he noticed a common theme of "criticizing inequality and injustice in the world and rejecting both tangible and intangible forms of violence." This led him to realize that the humanities can be sustained and supported by public institutions because they contribute to reducing violence in society. He found that this perspective expanded the scope of discourse, refined argumentation, and significantly improved his writing. This positive evolution also shaped his book, which explores both academic writing and the role of humanities research.

Beyond academia, Professor ABE is also the CEO of Ars Academica, Inc., a research consulting company that advises researchers and students on academic papers and grant applications. His company, established late last year, was certified as a University of Tsukuba venture, making it the first time a humanities and social sciences faculty member has founded a university-recognized business. He explains:
"I wanted to enliven the humanities with a dual approach, one in the form of textbooks and the other through direct tutoring."

Professor ABE has a deep passion for teaching, stating, "Teaching is my calling."

According to him:
"The theme of my next book is reflected in the next sentence. People have a lot of thoughts in their heads. We are thinking all the time. It is not until we write them down into the smallest unit, which is a sentence, that what we have been thinking about becomes clear. I want to write about how to analyze the thought processes that lead to a sentence and how to put thoughts into a solid sentence."
While this book will be written in Japanese, he also plans to publish a research book in the United States. The subject will be the relationship between Blacks and Asian communities (Afro-Asia), exploring how discriminatory attitudes toward Black individuals in various parts of Asia have been influenced by wars and U.S. military bases.

The young researcher's diverse research and initiatives continue to bring a distinctive perspective to the humanities and inspire students and researchers alike. His work not only enriches academic writing but also deepens our understanding of how the humanities address societal issues.

Article by Science Communicator at the Bureau of Public Relations