Chieko Kitagawa Otsuru is professor of American politics and international politics at Faculty of Law of Kansai University, located in Osaka, Japan. She has written on various aspects of American politics and U.S. foreign policies, as well as led several joint projects, focusing on the function of American democracy. Throughout her academic career, her interests have rested on grassroots activists, and she has tried to connect her works with the activities on the ground.