Yuka Mizutani

Learning from the worldviews of Indigenous people in North America and the Pacific, and the residents of geographically marginalized communities.
Research	Teaching	Outreach	SDGs
A special exhibition, "The World Extending from the Ocean of Okinawa," was held at the central library of Sophia University from January 7 to 21, 2026.
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My research focuses on contemporary issues of cultural revitalization by Indigenous people and the marginalized communities in North America and a part of the Pacific. I use interdisciplinary approaches mainly based on cultural anthropology, ethnic studies, Indigenous studies, and borderlands studies.

Other topics I focus on include transborder connections among Indigenous nations and local communities in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands; representation and narrative of history at museums and historical monuments; news media of Indigenous people and marginalized communities; cultural activities in the natural reserves including those within the desert and the ocean; the relationship of the Indigenous Nations (Native American tribes in the U.S.) and organizations working with Indigenous people (nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, museums, etc.) with the nation-states and the international communities.

Through my research, I aim to locate issues related to Indigenous people and marginalized communities in those of global society and academic discussions, in order to share the knowledge with people in various fields in Japan and the world.