Research Interests: Social Anthropology, Japan Studies
Research Topic: Zainichi Korean Entrepreneurism and Ethnic Economies in Japan
Sarah's pursuit in academia lies extensively in studying the various modes of diversity and plurality of cultural, ethnic and linguistic expressions that go beyond the imagined community of homogenous Japan. Her current research focuses on the Korean community in Japan, specifically Zainichi Korean entrepreneurs and businesses. The purpose of her research is threefold: first, her study investigates the economic and social structure of early postwar Japan which facilitated the emergence of the Korean entrepreneurial class and ethnic enterprises; second, she examines the internal workings and organization of Korean ethnic economies, mainly effectiveness of family, community and transnational networks; third, she explores the dynamic relationship between economic agency and ethnic identity in shaping entrepreneurial subjectivities among Koreans in Japan.