Leo Daimon

Professor Leo Daimon is a faculty member at Waseda University's Faculty of International Research and Education, School of International Liberal Studies, where he has served as Associate Professor since 2004 and Professor since 2010. He also holds concurrent positions as Part-Time Lecturer at International Christian University since 2017 and Board Member at Japan Economic Research Institute since 2010. Previously, he was Visiting Professor at Venice International University (2018), Lecturer at Meijigakuin University (2002-2004), and Assistant Professor at International University of Japan (2000-2002). Before entering academia, he worked as an Economist at The World Bank (1994-2000) and Officer at Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (1989-1994).

Professor Daimon holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from Cornell University (2000, 1998), JD from University of Tsukuba (2016), MA from Yale University (1993), and BA from Waseda University (1989). His research spans Development Economics, Spatial Analysis, Law and Economics, Gender Studies, and International Relations with particular focus on Belt and Road Initiative, Aid Competition, and Peacebuilding in Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersection of economic development, spatial analysis, and geopolitical strategy, particularly examining Sino-Japanese competition in foreign aid markets across multiple regions. His recent publications increasingly incorporate legal frameworks into development economics, reflecting his JD acquisition in 2016. The research shows strong methodological diversity, employing both quantitative spatial econometrics and qualitative case studies across different cultural contexts.

• Excellent Poster Presentation Award (2021.06, Japan Society for International Development)

Professor Daimon serves as Director of the Institute for International Peace Strategies at Waseda University and has extensive consulting experience with Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan), and Ministry of Finance (Japan). He has led numerous research projects funded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, including studies on spatial correlation of cross-border migration, Sino-Japanese competition over Belt and Road Initiative, and gender minorities in economic development. His international field experience spans multiple continents, with projects in Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Haiti, India, and Southeast Asia.