Nationality: American
Time Living in Japan: More than 35 years
Employer: Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
Current Job Title: Researcher
Area(s) of Expertise: Frontline negotiations, humanitarian logistics, NGO management
Education: BA, University of Minnesota (1993); MA, Sophia University (2004); MPA, Harvard Kennedy School (2024)
Language Ability: English (Native), Japanese (Advanced)
Recently Published Work:
- “Do I Really Have to Eat This? The Follies of Food Loss,” Harvard Kennedy School Student Policy Review, Winter 2024
- “Feeding Relationships,” Stanford Social Innovation Review, Winter 2015
- “Obstacles to Providing Aid in Times of Disaster,” in Anthropology of the Great East Japan Earthquake: The Victims in the Wake of the Tsunami and the Nuclear Accident, edited by David Slater et al., Tokyo: Jimbun Shoin, 2013
Bio:
Charles is a frontline negotiator, humanitarian supply chain specialist, and social entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience working in Japan. His work focuses on needs assessment, access negotiation, and logistics in high-uncertainty disaster environments, including responses to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. He incorporated Japan’s first food bank in 2002, later establishing the country’s first national network. Through his work he introduced five new words to the Japanese language.
He holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, where he specialized in humanitarian response and frontline negotiation. Currently affiliated with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, he conducts research on the use of AI in disaster response and supports the development of AI tools for complex negotiations. Fluent in Japanese, Charles brings a cross-cultural perspective to humanitarian operations and strategic problem-solving.
Favorite Thing About Living in Japan:
Peace of mind and a high-functioning society.
Favorite Place to Visit in Japan:
I enjoy hiking in Mt. Hiwada and working with people in Okinawa.
What Has Kept You in Japan:
A desire to repay the debt for all that Japan has blessed me with.
Favorite Place to Visit Outside Japan:
Stockholm.
What Changes Have You Noticed During Your Time Living in Japan:
A tremendous increase in the number of internationals.