Tomoki Sakata

Dr. Tomoki Sakata is a Research Associate at the Chair of Philosophy II and Lecturer in Japanese at the Language Center at Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg. He has held these positions since 2021 and 2016 respectively, with his research assistant role beginning in April 2022. His academic journey spans multiple disciplines and cultural contexts, contributing to his distinctive intercultural philosophical perspective.

Dr. Sakata's educational background reflects his interdisciplinary approach: a BA in Physics from Chiba University (2009), followed by a BA in Education (2015), an MA in Public Ethics (2017), and a doctoral degree completed summa cum laude in June 2022 at the University of Bamberg. His doctoral work focused on Ernst Cassirer's philosophy and was published as volume 23 of the Cassirer-Forschungen series.

His research interests span phenomenology of embodiment, philosophy of nature, comparative philosophy of culture (particularly Japanese philosophy), Ernst Cassirer's philosophy of symbolic forms, philosophy of science, and philosophy of technology. His approach consistently bridges Eastern and Western philosophical traditions to address contemporary issues in technology, ethics, and society.

Dr. Sakata's recent publications demonstrate remarkable breadth, including a monograph on Cassirer's philosophy (2024), co-edited work on smart city ethics (2023), and numerous 2025 publications ranging from analyses of Miyazaki's animation philosophy to cross-cultural studies of technology ethics and social trust concepts. His work shows strong thematic connections between philosophy of science, technology ethics, and intercultural dialogue.

• Doctoral thesis completed summa cum laude
• Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test qualification (2020)

As a research associate, Dr. Sakata undertakes administrative tasks for the philosophy program while fostering collaborative partnerships within and outside the University of Bamberg. His current projects include membership in the Center for Innovative Applications of Computer Science (ZIAI) and participation in the Working Group on Environmental Aesthetics, indicating active engagement in interdisciplinary research that bridges philosophy with contemporary technological and environmental challenges.