Barak Kushner

Barak Kushner is a prominent American historian specializing in the study of Japan. He holds the position of Professor of East Asian History at the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Kushner's academic expertise spans a wide range of topics related to East Asian history, including the Japanese empire, imperial propaganda, war crimes, and justice in the region. His research and writings have also explored various aspects of Japanese culture, such as the iconic film character Godzilla, humor, and cuisine, including the influence of Chinese culinary traditions on modern Japanese food.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Kushner is a polyglot, proficient in reading and speaking Chinese, English, French, and Japanese. His personal life is also marked by a connection to international affairs, as he is married to Mami Mizutori, a high-ranking official at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Kushner's own academic career has included fellowships at prestigious institutions, such as the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study in Uppsala, Sweden, where he was a Fellow from 2019 to 2020. Through his work, Kushner has established himself as a leading voice in the field of Japanese history and East Asian studies.