معرفی
Akisa Fukuzawa is an Instructor in Japanese at the Department of Linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in the Individual Interdisciplinary Program at Ohio University, focusing on Japanese, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and History.
Her educational background includes:
- Ph.D. Student, Individual Interdisciplinary Program, Ohio University (current)
- MBA, Capital University School of Management, Columbus, OH
- MSA, Ohio University Sports Administration Program, Athens, OH
- B.A. in Linguistics/Spanish/International Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Japan
Her research centers on the intersection of gender and sports, particularly the history and development of women's baseball in Japan and the United States. She investigates systemic barriers that exclude women from professional baseball and explores the cultural and institutional dynamics behind the separation of baseball (male-dominated) and softball (female-dominated). Her work critically examines Title IX implications and the historical funneling of girls into softball despite their interest in baseball.
Fukuzawa is a passionate advocate for gender equity in sports and has extensive personal and professional experience in baseball as a player, coach, and team founder. She has been featured in media such as NPR, Apple TV+, and The Columbus Dispatch for her pioneering role in women’s baseball. As a cultural ambassador, she conducts public speaking on sake, green tea, and Japanese calligraphy (Sho Do).
She is actively involved in community and academic service, including:
- Board Member, Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival
- Advisory Board Member, Asian American Commerce Group
- General Member, The America-Japan Society in Tokyo
- Certified Sake Sommelier in Japan
- President, Ohio University Women’s Baseball (Cherry Bombs)
- Founder, Columbus JetStream women's baseball team
Fukuzawa has presented at academic forums such as the University of Minnesota's Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sports. She continues to mentor students and build inclusive spaces for women in sports and academia.
