Hosoi　Tomohiro

Overview of Research

(1) Field of Research

Comparative Politics; International Relations; Contemporary African Politics

(2) Research Topics

Governance in contemporary African states; Japan–Africa diplomatic relations

(3) Overview of Research

My research examines political developments in contemporary Africa. Given Japan’s geographical distance from the continent, access to information has historically been limited. I therefore began with a straightforward question: What is happening on the African continent? My work has shown that studying Africa offers perspectives that challenge assumptions often taken for granted.

I am currently pursuing two main research projects. The first concerns civil–military relations in African states, particularly interactions between the armed forces and political authorities. The second explores the international relations of African countries, with an emphasis on Japan–Africa relations. Across both areas, I prioritize arguments grounded in reliable, verifiable, and, where possible, quantitative data.

Civil–military relations are crucial for understanding political stability. Since the 2010s, several coups across Africa have renewed concerns about regional instability. While country-specific, snapshot-style analyses are abundant, few studies systematically situate these developments within the broader comparative politics literature or undertake cross-national comparisons. To address this gap, I extend theoretical frameworks of civil–military relations and coup-proofing, incorporating insights on how international contexts shape the likelihood of coups. This research is conducted in collaboration with scholars working on other regions.

In parallel, I analyze the international relations of African states, focusing on Japan’s engagement with the continent. While Africa is often portrayed as a passive actor in international politics, recent scholarship highlights the responsiveness and agency of African states. Based on this perspective, I examine Japan’s efforts to strengthen ties with Africa since the 1990s through the analysis of diplomatic documents. This study shows that African preferences and perspectives have shaped Japanese policy. In doing so, it illuminates the active role of African states in international politics and contributes to a more nuanced understanding of Japan–Africa relations.

Hosoi, Tomohiro. 2025. “Patterns of African Union Sanctions on Coups d’État: Civilian Control as a Political Message.” Journal of Asian and African Studies: Forthcoming. DOI: 00219096251369523