Political Science · International Relations · Security Studies · Political Psychology
Ryuta Ito
Ph.D. (Law), Keio University
Political scientist specializing in security studies, international relations theory, diplomatic history, and comparative politics. Research centers on the theoretical renewal of realism, with a focus on war, diplomacy, and international relations in the Indo-Pacific. Also a pioneer of Evolutionary Political Science in Japan, integrating insights from evolutionary psychology and neuroscience into IR theory to bridge the natural and social sciences. Published original theoretical frameworks in world-leading SSCI-indexed journals including International Affairs and International Relations, with three sole-authored monographs and two edited volumes.
Latest Publications — 2026
"Outrage Balancing: A Theory of Aggressive Foreign Policy with Evidence from the Pacific War"
International Relations (SSCI) — OnlineFirst, Feb 2026
"Biopolitics and Evolutionary Political Science: Tracing Evolution, Current Trends, and Envisioning Future Directions" (with T. Wohlers)
In Perspectives on Reglobalization (Springer / Contributions to Political Science) — 2026
About
About
Education & Career
Fields
Political Science, International Relations, Security Studies, Evolutionary Political Science, Asia & Indo-Pacific Studies, International Political History, Comparative Politics, Political Psychology, Political Thought
Interests
Theoretical renewal of realism, systematization and application of Evolutionary Political Science to international politics, great power politics and security, diplomacy and balancing behavior, international relations in the Indo-Pacific, political psychology and foreign policy analysis, integrative approaches across natural and social sciences
Education
2017
Ph.D. (Law), Keio University
2011
M.A. (Law), Keio University
2009
B.A. (Law), Keio University
2005
Keio Senior High School
Positions
2026–
Strategic Consultant (Global Strategy Advisor), DiploSight
2026–
Strategic Consultant, NovaPillar Advisory LLC
2025–2026
Research Associate, National Defense Academy of Japan (–June 2026)
2024–2025
Visiting Researcher, Seikei University
2021–2023
Assistant Professor, Hiroshima University
2019–2020
Research Fellow, Japan Institute of International Affairs
2017–2018
Assistant Professor, Keio University
2013–2014
Research Fellow, Keio University
2009–2013
Teaching Assistant, Keio University
Service
IPSA Co-Chair, RC12, 2023–; Convenor & Session Chair, World Congress 2021 & 2023
APSA Committee, Best International Security Article, 2020–2021
ISA Chair, ISA–Midwest Conference, 2020
JSSS Chair, Book Review Comm., 2025–; Vice-Chair, Conference Comm., 2025–; Editorial Comm., 2020–2022 & 2025–
JAIS General Affairs Committee, 2019–2024
JIIA AJISS-Commentary Editorial Comm., 2019–2020
APSA Committee, Best International Security Article, 2020–2021
ISA Chair, ISA–Midwest Conference, 2020
JSSS Chair, Book Review Comm., 2025–; Vice-Chair, Conference Comm., 2025–; Editorial Comm., 2020–2022 & 2025–
JAIS General Affairs Committee, 2019–2024
JIIA AJISS-Commentary Editorial Comm., 2019–2020
Awards & Grants
Research Award, JSSS (2024)
International Affairs Early Career Prize — Shortlisted (2023)
JSSS Edited Book (2020, 2023)
Doctoral Degree Ceremony Representative, Keio University (2017)
Keio Law Society Publication Grant (2020)
International Affairs Early Career Prize — Shortlisted (2023)
JSSS Edited Book (2020, 2023)
Doctoral Degree Ceremony Representative, Keio University (2017)
Keio Law Society Publication Grant (2020)
Memberships
IPSA, ISA, APSA, JAIR, JPSA, JAIS, JSSS
Languages
Japanese (Native) / English (Academic) / Chinese (Reading: Advanced; Speaking: Basic)
Research
Research
Publications
Proposing original theoretical frameworks on great power politics, diplomacy, and security order through the theoretical renewal of realism. Also a pioneer of Evolutionary Political Science in Japan, bridging evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and IR theory to advance the integration of natural and social sciences. Published sole-authored articles in world-leading SSCI-indexed journals including International Affairs (Chatham House) and International Relations (SAGE), alongside three sole-authored monographs and two edited volumes.
Selected Publications (SSCI-indexed Journals)
International Relations. OnlineFirst, Feb 28, 2026.
International Relations. OnlineFirst, Dec 6, 2023.
International Affairs 99 (5): 2037–2055.
International Affairs 98 (6): 1959–1975.
IA Early Career Prize 2023 — Shortlisted
International Relations of the Asia-Pacific 22 (2): 343–346.
Japanese Journal of Political Science 21 (4): 206–209.
Sole-authored Monographs
Edited Volumes
2023 JSSS Edited Book
Book Chapters (Peer-reviewed)
Other Peer-reviewed Articles
Research Award 2024
Non-peer-reviewed / Invited Articles
Dissertations
Work in Progress
"Narrative Balancing as Classical Realist Statecraft in the Indo-Pacific."
Under Review — Journal of Global Security Studies
"Reconceptualising Balancing through Narrative Statecraft."
Under Review — International Studies Review
"Anger and Deterrence in U.S. Foreign Policy."
In Preparation
Presentations
Presentations
Conference & Invited
Invited Presentations
2024 伊藤隆太「政治と人間本性」戦略研究学会第22回大会、文京学院大学、4月。
2023 伊藤隆太「定性的な国際関係・安全保障理論の学際的発展」国際安全保障学会年次大会、慶應義塾大学、12月。
2019 Ito, R. "Toward a Theory of Hybrid Warfare." Bridging the Straits Conference, U.S. Naval War College, Tokyo, Dec.
International Conference Presentations
2021 "War and Human Mind." APSA Annual Meeting, Sep.
2021 "Why Does Nationalism Cause War?" IPSA RC44 Conference, Sep.
2021 "Causes and Consequences of Nationalism in International Politics." 26th IPSA World Congress, Jul.
2021 "Anger and Aggression in International Politics." ISA Annual Convention, Apr.
2021 "Why Does Nationalism Cause War?" ISA Annual Convention, Apr.
2020 "Overconfidence and War in International Politics." ISA–Midwest, Nov.
2020 "Causes and Consequences of Anger in International Politics." ISA–Midwest, Nov.
2020 "Causes and Consequences of Hybrid Warfare." ISA–Midwest, Nov.
2020 "Anger and Status Competition in International Politics." ISA–West, Sep.
2020 "How the Human Mind Shapes International Politics." ISA–West, Sep.
2020 "Overconfidence and False Optimism in International Politics." ISA–West, Sep.
2019 "Application of Evolutionary Political Science to IR." ISSS-IS, Denver, Oct.
2019 "Causes and Consequences of Overconfidence in International Politics." ISSS-IS, Denver, Oct.
2019 "Reconstructing Positivist Methodology in IR Through Scientific Realism." ISA Annual Convention, Toronto, Mar.
Domestic Conference Presentations
2021 「進化政治学と戦略研究」戦略研究学会第19回大会、4月。
2020 「進化政治学と安全保障研究」国際安全保障学会年次大会、12月。
2018 「日中戦争とナショナリズム」国際安全保障学会年次大会、青山学院大学、12月。
2018 「なぜナショナリズムは戦争を起こすのか」日本国際政治学会研究大会、11月。
2017 「国際政治研究への進化政治学の適用」日本国際政治学会研究大会、神戸、10月。
2017 「リアリスト理論の科学的妥当性」国際安全保障学会定例研究会、青山学院大学、4月。
Teaching
Teaching
Courses & Affiliations
Current
Lecturer, Gunma Prefectural Women's Univ. (2025–) — History of International Politics
Lecturer, Tokyo City Univ. (2021–) — International Relations 1/1a/1b/2/2a/2b
Lecturer, Atomi Univ. (2021–) — Japanese Diplomatic History
Lecturer, Tokyo City Univ. (2021–) — International Relations 1/1a/1b/2/2a/2b
Lecturer, Atomi Univ. (2021–) — Japanese Diplomatic History
Former
Lecturer, JASDF CSC (2025) — Thesis supervision
Lecturer, Univ. of Niigata Prefecture (2024) — Special lectures (EMI)
Lecturer, JMSDF CSC (2019–2025) — IR Seminar, Security Thesis
Asst. Prof., Hiroshima Univ. Graduate School (2021–2023)
Asst. Prof., Hiroshima Univ. Faculty of Law (2021–2023)
Lecturer, Toyo Eiwa Univ. (2021–2022) — Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, Global Perspectives A/B
Lecturer, Keio Univ. (2018–2022) — Political Science I/II, Seminar I/II
Asst. Prof., Keio Univ. (2017–2018)
Lecturer, Univ. of Niigata Prefecture (2024) — Special lectures (EMI)
Lecturer, JMSDF CSC (2019–2025) — IR Seminar, Security Thesis
Asst. Prof., Hiroshima Univ. Graduate School (2021–2023)
Asst. Prof., Hiroshima Univ. Faculty of Law (2021–2023)
Lecturer, Toyo Eiwa Univ. (2021–2022) — Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, Global Perspectives A/B
Lecturer, Keio Univ. (2018–2022) — Political Science I/II, Seminar I/II
Asst. Prof., Keio Univ. (2017–2018)
English-Medium Instruction (EMI)
Graduate Seminar in IR & Political Science
Global Perspectives A / B
Political Science I / II
Special Lecture on the Indo-Pacific
Special Lecture on the Russia–Ukraine War
Seminar I / II & Thesis Supervision
Bilingual / Japanese Courses
International Relations Partial EMI
International Political Theory Partial EMI
Evolutionary Political Science Partial EMI
Seminar in Security Studies Partial EMI
History of International Politics
Diplomacy
Conflict Resolution
Japanese Diplomatic History
Media
Media & Outreach
Interviews, Blog & Public Writing
PRESIDENT Online
2026.05 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "「石油マネーでボロ儲け」のはずが大誤算…トランプでもハメネイでもない、イラン戦争の「本当の敗者」の名前." PRESIDENT Online.
2026.04 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "泥沼になるほど“金儲け”できる…トランプが「世界の警察官」をやめて、ホルムズ海峡を“逆封鎖”する本当の狙い." PRESIDENT Online.
2026.04 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "イラン本土でも、ホルムズ海峡でもない…泥沼化するイラン戦争の停戦協議を左右する“本当の戦場”." PRESIDENT Online.
2026.04 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "高市首相の「ナフサは足りる」発言は無意味…避けられない「石油ショック」で日本が行き詰まる“最悪のシナリオ”." PRESIDENT Online.
2026.04 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "トランプはもう負けている…グダグダな「勝利宣言」を出したアメリカが、イラン攻撃で犯した“決定的な失敗”." PRESIDENT Online.
2021.11 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "「なぜ日本は絶対に負ける戦争に突入したのか」戦争で負けないためにやるべきだったこと." PRESIDENT Online.
2021.08 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "「ワクチンは殺人兵器」というデマを信じる人が大量発生するのは、人類の残念な宿命である." PRESIDENT Online.
2021.07 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "「なぜ日本は中国との泥沼の戦争を選んだか」84年前の日本政府が間違った根本原因." PRESIDENT Online.
2020.12 Dr. Ryuta Ito. "「なぜ日本は真珠湾攻撃を避けられなかったのか」そこにある不都合な真実." PRESIDENT Online.
Media Interviews
2023.11 "Japan–Korea Summit Jointly Attends a Roundtable at an American University." Voice of America (Chinese).
2023.05 "Japan–China Security Dialogue Resumes After Four Years." Voice of America (Chinese).
2022.07 "Japan's Defense White Paper Doubles Content on the Taiwan Strait." Voice of America (Chinese).
2022.05 "Japanese Defense Draft 'Decapitation' Strategy Against China." Voice of America (Chinese).
2021.12 "Japanese Coast Guard and SDF Jointly Respond to 'Grey Zone' Threats." Voice of America (Chinese).
Academic Blog
2023.09 Ito, R. "What Is Hubris Balancing?" International Affairs Blog.
2023.02 Huju, K., D. Chernobrov, H. Taha, and R. Ito. "Shortlist: IA Early Career Prize 2023." International Affairs Blog.
2022.11 Ito, R. "What Is Hybrid Balancing?" International Affairs Blog.
Public Writing
2022.06 「進化政治学で読み解くウクライナ侵攻――プーチンが陥った『自己欺瞞』の罠」『新潮社フォーサイト』。
2021.04–07 「進化的リベラリズム試論（1）–（4）」『α-SYNODOS』286–289号。
2020.09 「トランプ政治再考」『シノドス』。
2020.04 「『人間の心』をめぐる新たな安全保障」『シノドス』。
2010.05 書評「シリーズ群集生物学２」『日本生態学会ニュースレター』21号、12–14頁。
Grants
Grants & Funding
Research Grants
Seikei University Asia Pacific Center Joint Research Grant (2024–2026)
China's Challenge and the Indo-Pacific. 3,000,000 JPY (~18,996 USD). Co-Investigator.
Research Award, JSSS (2024)
"Causes of War and Peace." 50,000 JPY (~317 USD).
APSA Travel and Accessibility Grant (2021)
USD 190. Principal Investigator.
ISA Virtual Facilitation Grant (2021)
USD 120. Principal Investigator.
Keio Law Society Publication Grant (2020)
Evolutionary Political Science and International Political Theory. 396,000 JPY. PI.
News
News
Recent Updates
2026.04
Appointment — Appointed Strategic Consultant (Global Strategy Advisor), DiploSight.
2026.03
Publication — Co-authored chapter "Biopolitics and Evolutionary Political Science" published in Perspectives on Reglobalization (ed. C. Cattafi), Springer.
2026.02
Publication — "Outrage Balancing" published OnlineFirst in International Relations (SSCI).
2026
Appointment — Joined NovaPillar Advisory LLC as Strategic Consultant.
2025
Appointments — Joined National Defense Academy. Began lecturing at Gunma Prefectural Women's Univ. and JASDF CSC.
2024
Award — Research Award, Japan Society of Strategic Studies.
2024
Publication — International Relations in the Indo-Pacific published. JSSS Edited Book.
2023
Recognition — "Hybrid Balancing" shortlisted for International Affairs Early Career Prize 2023.
2023
Service — Appointed Co-Chair of IPSA Research Committee 12.