Dr. Iris Wieczorek

Senior Research Fellow | GIGA Representative in Japan

Dr. Iris Wieczorek

  • Short CV

    • Since 2014: Senior Research Fellow at GIGA and GIGA Representative in Japan

    • Since 2012: Founded IRIS Science Management Inc., a Tokyo-based consulting firm specialised in career development and diversity training for scientists, research management, policy advice, and support for "International Relations in Science"

    • 2014 - 2022: Representative of the Leibniz Association in Japan

    • 2008 - 2012: Established the Japan Office of the German Research Foundation (DFG) in Tokyo and acted as director (while on leave from GIGA); for activities see www.japan.dfg.de

    • 2000 - 2008: Regular courses on economic and social innovations in Japan in international comparison at the Asia-Africa-Institute, lecturer of the University of Hamburg

    • 2005 - 2008: Additional position at GIGA: Head of Research Management (in charge of e.g. conceptualizing and establishing a research management strategy and “system” at GIGA, preparation for and organization of the evaluation of the GIGA)

    • 2000 - 2008: Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute of Asian Studies (IAS) in Hamburg: analysing developments in the fields of Japanese science and technology, and Society

    • 2000: Doctor of Philosophy, University of Hamburg

    • 1998 - 2000: Doctoral student at the Asia-Africa Institute of the University of Hamburg

    • 1997 - 1998: Doctoral Scholarship at the German Institute for Japanese Studies (DIJ) in Tokyo

    • 1996 - 1997: Doctoral student at Fukui University (Fukui, Japan), supported by a scholarship of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

    • 1992 - 1995: Japanese and Chinese Studies, and Computer Science, Master at the University of Hamburg

    • 1991 - 1992: Intensive Japanese Language Program at Waseda University (Tokyo)

    • 1987 - 1991: Japanese and Chinese Studies, and Computer Science at the University of Hamburg

    Current Research

    • Innovation processes and networks in Japanese and Korean economy, science and society in international comparison

    • Digital Transformation and AI Governance in Asia in global comparison

    Countries and Regions

    • Japan

    Dr. Iris Wieczorek

    Senior Research Fellow / GIGA Representative in Japan

    T. +49 (40) 822173-154[email protected]


    Jahrbuch der Vereinigung für sozialwissenschaftliche Japanforschung | Iudicium | 12/2025

    Japan 2025: Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft

    Die 48ste Ausgabe des Japan Jahrbuchs versammelt eine Sondersektion zu den nationalen Wahlen in 2024 und 2025 mit sechs Kurzbeiträgen, gefolgt von drei Übersichtsbeiträgen sowie vier Forschungsartikeln zu Politik und Gesellschaft – die ein Double-Blind-Begutachtungsverfahren erfolgreich durchlaufen haben.

    Prof. Dr. David Chiavacci

    University of Zurich

    GIGA Focus Global | 2/2025

    From Global Governance to Nationalism: The Future of AI

    AI governance is shifting, with national priorities outweighing global coordination. To uphold its leadership in rights-respecting and innovation-friendly AI, the European Union must strengthen its domestic capabilities, expand international partnerships, and assert its regulatory influence.

    Chapter in Edited Volume | 11/2024

    Technology Policy in Society 5.0: A Comparison of the Technological Innovation Strategies of Germany and Japan

    How do Germany and Japan govern technology in an age of anxiety? This chapter compares their innovation strategies through the lens of the concept Society 5.0, showing how policy, culture and risk perceptions shape technological pathways—and what this means for resilient, human-centred futures.

    Jahrbuch der Vereinigung für sozialwissenschaftliche Japanforschung | Iudicium | 11/2024

    Japan 2024: Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft

    Die 47ste Ausgabe des Japan Jahrbuchs versammelt Artikel in den Sektionen Innen- und Außenpolitik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft Japans. Die Analysen geben Einblicke in Japans aktuelle Entwicklungen in einer Zeit zunehmender geopolitischer Spannungen, in der Japan sich in einem sich wandelnden globalen Umfeld neu positionieren muss.

    Prof. Dr. David Chiavacci

    University of Zurich

    Monograph | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | 01/2024

    Monitoring des Asiatisch-Pazifischen Forschungsraums (APRA): Demographische Herausforderungen, Fachkräftebedarf und -migration im Asiatisch-Pazifischen Raum

    Dieser Bericht befasst sich mit den Fragen demographischer Herausforderungen, des Fachkräftebedarfs sowie der Migration von Fachkräften im asiatisch-pazifischen Raum.

    Dr. habil. Henning Kroll

    Dr. Christian Schäfer

    Naomi Knüttgen

    Research Project | 01/02/2024 - 31/12/2026

    Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL), Phase II: Digitalisation as Chance for Cooperation with Global Partners

    GIGA‘s Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL), funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, analyses the political drivers and real-world consequences of the digital transformation taking place around the world. The Global South in particular is an important actor in and shaper of this transformation.
    FFO, 2024-2026

    Research Project | 01/09/2021 - 29/02/2024

    Performance Monitoring Asia-Pacific Research Area (APRA), Phase II

    The Asia-Pacific research area (APRA) comprises about half of the world's population and some of its most dynamic economies. The importance of the region as producer of knowledge is reflected in its growing number of international publications and patents, as well as development of new (digital) business models. By analysing the performance of science, technology, and innovation in the APRA, the project aims at supplying an empirical-evidence base for the strategic further development of cooperation with countries in Asia-Pacific.
    BMFTR, 2021-2024

    Research Project | 15/02/2018 - 30/06/2021

    Performance Monitoring Asia-Pacific Research Area (APRA), Phase I

    The Asia-Pacific region comprises about half of the world's population and is developing with great dynamism. Investments in Research & Development confirm its importance. To obtain an evidence base for the strategic further development of cooperation, the Federal Ministry for Education and Research initiated the Performance Monitoring of the Asia-Pacific Research Area. Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the GIGA investigates the R&D landscape in the region. BMFTR, 2018-2021

    Research Project | 01/01/2017 - 01/12/2019

    Crisis Narratives, Institutional Change and State Transformation: Japan in the Global Context

    While East Asia’s and especially China’s economic growth has become a major driving force of global change, developed countries struggle to readjust their social, economic and political institutions to the challenges of financial crises, shrinking populations, and the rising demand for and costs of social welfare. As an economically and technologically highly advanced society, Japan finds itself at the intersection and forefront of these regional and global changes.
    GIGA, Tohoku University Forum for Creativity, 2017-2019

    Conference | 01/12/2025

    DigiTraL-Workshop "Dependencies, Partnerships, and Digital Bridges"

    This workshop brings together experts from across regions to discuss critical issues at the intersection of AI governance, cyber resilience, and digital transformation.

    Federal Foreign Office (FFO) | 25/04/2024

    DigiTraL Roundtable

    Organiser: Federal Foreign Office (FFO) Dr. Iris Wieczorek (Organiser)

    The roundtable provides an opportunity to discuss three GIGA studies currently in preparation on Asia, the Gulf region, and Africa. It is part of the project Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL), Phase II: Digitalisation as Chance for Cooperation with Global Partners.

    Other | 30/08/2019

    Future Mobility & Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in Japan and German

    Future Mobility & Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in Japan and German, Tokyo Dr. Iris Wieczorek (Moderator, Organiser)

    Roundtable on the occasion of the visit of the President of the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg/ First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher to Japan

    Teaching | University of Hamburg (UHH) | 2007

    Japans Weg in die Wissensgesellschaft

    University of Hamburg (UHH) Hamburg Germany

    Teaching | University of Hamburg (UHH) | 2006

    Innovations in the Japanese Economy and Society

    University of Hamburg (UHH) Hamburg Germany

    Teaching | University of Hamburg (UHH) | 2004

    Key Technologies in Japan - Political and Economic Dimensions in an International Context

    University of Hamburg (UHH) Hamburg Germany

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