JF Fellow

Dr. Prakash holds a PhD in Japanese Studies, from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He was the first Visiting Fellow at Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Staff College, Tokyo. He is also a recipient of the Japan Foundation Fellow (2012) and Okita Memorial Fellowship (2008). Prakash also co-authored a book on “Underwater Domain Awareness: Case for India,” Routledge 2022.

On being asked what he thinks is the importance of this scholarship, he says that it is important to purse research in Japan. It enables to understand the Japanese society and culture more clearly. The field trip to Japan allows scholars to focus on the research work. Dr. Prakash himself worked on Japan’s Maritime Security: Emerging Cooperation with South Asian Countries (1999 – 2009).

Dr. Prakash further shares that he was a Guest Researcher at Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Staff College, Tokyo. This provided him a great understanding on emerging cooperation between India and Japan in maritime domain. On receiving fellowship, he explains how Japan Foundation Fellowship is one of the prestigious fellowships in the world and widely recognised by scholars across the globe. Being recipient of Japan foundation fellowship is indeed a privilege in the academic world.

When asked to share his memories from the Fellowship days, he reminisces into the past and shares that during his stay in Japan, he frequently travelled to different part of Japan. “Yokosuka City is one of my favourite spot in Japan. I also climbed Mt. Fuji, which is a superb experience.”

On suggestions for future fellows, he says that the fellowship offers huge advantage to Indians to purse research in Japan. They should make use of the fellowship to sharpen their skills in Japanese and build strong network for their future.