This essay presents a methodological perspective for confronting the legacy of imperialism by examining my own academic and social practice as a Japanese researcher. Postcolonial studies have developed as an academic field that investigates how the history of imperialism and colonialism shapes the contemporary world order. Although colonialism is often treated as a past event, its historical violence continues to be reproduced, solidifying structures of inequality and exclusion. This essay reframes postcolonial studies as the result of an interplay between research activity and social practices. A case study of my academic and social practices as a Japanese researcher demonstrates that the movement toward decolonization unfolds through crossing disciplinary boundaries as well as national and regional boundaries, and that an intersectional perspective is essential when addressing postcolonial issues. Drawing on insights from this case, this essay proposes a methodological framework termed the cross-boundaries approach. This approach encompasses three types of boundaries: (1) disciplinary boundary, (2) national and regional boundary, and (3) boundary among social divisions by race, gender, class, etc. Its significance lies not simply in traversing these boundaries, but in the process of continuously reflecting on oneself and reconfiguring research questions through encounters with others. Such a practice marks a starting point for confronting the legacy of imperialism in contemporary society.
Ryota Takayanagi (2026) studied this question.