Bio

Kathryn Ibata- Arens is an expert on innovation and entrepreneurship in Asia, science and technology policy,
women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive innovation. Ibata- Arens’ recent research explores technology
leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem development in biomedical industries in Asia. Her book,
Beyond Technonationalism: Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Asia (Stanford University Press 2019)
analyz es national policy and firm level strategy in China, India, Japan, and Singapore. She served on the METIState
Department Japan- US Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council (2012- 13), serves on the Board of Directors
of the Japan- America Society of Chicago, and as a member of the U.S.- Japan Council (USJC). Ibata- Arens was a
Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation U.S.- Japan
Network for the Future Scholar in its first cohort (2011- 2012). In 2012, Ibata- Arens was a visiting researcher at the
Research Center for Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI, Tokyo), Ritsumeikan University Research Center for
Innovation Management (Kyoto) (2011- 12), and as a Fulbright Fellow at Kyoto University (2010).
 
In 2008 Ibata- Arens was a Japan Policy Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in
Washington, DC. And was an Abe Fellow in the Faculty of Commerce, Doshisha University, Kyoto (2005- 06). Her
dissertation research was conducted at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at
the University of Tokyo as a Fulbright Doctoral Fellow. Ibata- Arens’ previous book, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
in Japan: Politics, Organiz ations and High Technology Firms (Cambridge University Press, 2005) analyz es leading
high technology firms and regional economies in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo.