معرفی
Professor Wataru Iijima is a faculty member at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, where he also serves as the Director of the Museum of Tropical Medicine (since 2024). He holds a Ph.D. in Literature and previously held academic positions at Osaka City University, Yokohama National University, and Aoyama Gakuin University.
Education Background:
- Tokyo Gakugei University
- Graduate School of Tokyo University
- Ph.D. in Literature
His research centers on the history of infectious diseases, with emphasis on pandemics (COVID-19) and endemics (malaria, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis). He focuses on preserving historical materials and analyzing societal responses to disease outbreaks, particularly in East Asia. His work bridges medical history, cultural studies, and public health policy.
Recent publications (2018–2024) demonstrate a consistent focus on historical analyses of pandemic responses, cross-cultural medical exchanges in East Asia, and ethical dimensions of disease control. Key themes include community behavior during lockdowns, integration of Western/local medicine, and cultural strategies like Japan's jishuku (self-restraint).
At Nagasaki University, he leads initiatives at the Tropical Medicine Museum to archive materials related to COVID-19 and endemic diseases, emphasizing historical preservation as a tool for future disease control.
