Rikio Inouye

Rikio Inouye is an incoming Assistant Professor of Political Science at Temple University in Philadelphia. Prior to coming to CISAC, he was a Prize Fellow in Social Sciences at Princeton University, earning his Ph.D. in 2026.  Before graduate school, Rikio taught high school English, Global Studies, and Speech/Debate in Toyama, Japan as part of the Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Program (2017-2020).

Rikio’s research examines how racial and religious identities alter foreign policy preferences and support. One strand of research focuses on conflict and specifically, how belligerents' identities moderate third-party public support and sympathy.  Another considers how signals of inclusion and representation alter public support for foreign aid.  Additionally,  he has a number of projects focusing on democratic solidarity, backsliding, and cooperation amidst international crises. Rikio utilizes survey experiments, interviews, and case studies.

Rikio is a proud UC Berkeley alumni! He marched in Cal Band for four years, performing at the Great Wall of China, across Japan, and in the Superbowl 50 halftime show. Rikio is also active in the US-Japan space and also regularly volunteers at the annual Heart Mountain Pilgrimage, where his family was incarcerated during World War II.