Global– a Journalist in Japan. Railway, Road, and Automotive –
Hello! I am Ken-ichi Kawabe, a journalist and a science communicator from Japan. I am in the business of collecting and disseminating information about raillways, roads, cars, and urban planning.
I used to be a chemical engineer. I am currently working with civil, mechanical and electrical engineers to translate technology for the general public. I have been freelancing for more than 20 years. I am also a consultant for companies. Contact me today to learn more!
目次
Personal Data
- Name : Ken-ichi Kawabe
- Birth Date : 18/6/1970
- Born in Mie Prefecture, Japan
- Language
- Japanese – Native
- English – Business
- Resides
- Live in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
- Near Tsukuba Science City
Summary
Having worked as a freelance journalist for 20+ years, published 28 books in 4 languages. A Master of Engineering from Tohoku University, worked as an engineer at JSR Corporation for 9- years. Extensive knowledge of chemistry and materials, as well as experience in covering many companies related to railways, roads, cars and urban planning. Consulted for many companies.
Career History
Freelance, Ibaraki, Japan ( Nov 2004 – Present, 20+ years )
Specialization
- Railway
- Road
- Car
- Urban Planning
- Chemistry
- Material
- Energy
- Environment
Publication
- Published 28 books ( Single-Authored Work )
- 22 books – published in Japan
- 6 books – published in China, Korea, Taiwan
Web Media
- Disseminated information in major web medias in Japan
- Gendai Business, Kodansha
- “Railway Science“, Money Post WEB, Shogakukan
- “Road Science“, KURU KURA, JAF Media Works
- Toyokeizai Online, Toyokeizai Inc.
- President Online, President Inc. and so on.
Interviews
Interviewed Many Companies
- JR East
- JR West
- JR Kyushu
- Tokyo Metro
- Odakyu Electric Railway
- Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI)
- Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT)
- Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited
- Hitachi, Ltd.
- AGC Inc.
- Toyo Electlic MFG
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- The Kinki Sharyo
- Kanto Bunkiki
- European Business Council JAPAN
- Schunk Carbon Technology Japan KK
- Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems Japan Ltd.
- Toyota Motor Corporation
Gave Media Interviews
- The Asahi Shimbun
- The Mainichi
- The Tokyo Shimbun
- The Nikkei
朝日新聞
「鉄道で暮らし豊かに」の期待、今や的外れ？ 川辺謙一さんの交通論：朝日新聞
日本で鉄道が開業して150年。その間、鉄道は社会や経済の発展を支えてきましたが、自動車社会の到来などで国内の交通事情は大きく変わりました。ほかの輸送手段が発達し…
毎日新聞
インタビュー：インタビュー 鉄道変動運賃制、議論本格化 川辺謙一・交通技術ライター | 毎日新聞
ラッシュアワーの鉄道運賃が上がる？――。時間帯で料金が異なる変動運賃制＝＝導入に向け、国土交通省の本格議論が始まった。ＪＲ東日本などが昨年、導入の意向を示したの…
TV and Radio
- Appeared on TV and radio programs
- TV
- NHK G
- NHK WORLD
- Nippon Television
- TOKYO MX
- Radio
- NHK FM
- TOKYO FM
- J-WAVE
- TBS Radio
- Culture Broadcasting Station
- Radio Nikkei
- TV
- Supervised the programs
- TV
- NHK G
- NHK E
- Nippon Television
- TV Asahi
- Radio
- TBS Radio
- J-WAVE
- TV
Consulting
- Consulted for several companies
- Used my interview experience and knowledge of chemistry and materials.
- Supported the activities of companies.
JSR Corporation, Japan ( Apr 1996 – Nov 2004, 9- years )
Tsukuba
Research and development group, Tsukuba research laboratories ( May 1998 – Nov 2004, 7- years )
- Involved in the development of semiconductor materials.
- Obtained a patent for material development.
Yokkaichi
Physical Analysis Group, Yokkaichi Plant & Research Laboratories ( Apr 1996 – Apr 1998, 2 years )
- Developed a technology that shortens measurement time to 1/48.
- Research results and presentation praised by the R&D director at an internal research presentation.
- Received an in-house research award in his second year at the company.
Education
Master of Chemical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan ( Apr 1994 – Mar 1996, 2 years )
Master
- Studied
- Electrochemical Reactions at the Atomic Level
- Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM)
- Learned
- Basics of Research
- Basics of Presentations
- Interacted with researchers from around the world
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan ( Apr 1990 – Mar 1994, 4 years )
Bachelor
- Studied
- Electrochemistry
- Bio-Electrochemistry
- Lithium Ion Battery
- Fuel Cell
- Learned
- Basics of Research
- Basics of Presentations
Skills
Technical Skills
- Writing
- Paragraph Writing
- Drawing
- Digital Illustration
- Analog Illustration
Computer Skills
- OS
- Mac OS
- iOS
- iPad OS
- Microsoft
- Word
- Excel
- Powerpoint
- Adobe
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Lightroom
- Premiere Pro
- Web
- WordPress
- AI
- Gemini
- ChatGPT
- Copilot
- DeepL
- Canva
Achievements
Books
Kodansha Bluebacks
- Latest Illustrated: The Science of Railways (2024)
- Illustrated: The Mechanism of Fuel Cell Vehicles (2016)
- Illustrated: The Science of the Shuto Expressway (2013)
- Illustrated: The Mechanism of Shinkansen Operations (2012)
- Illustrated: The Science of Subways (2011)
- Illustrated: New Generation Railway Technology (2009)
Shoeisha
- Illustrated Complete Guide: How Electric Vehicles Work (2023)
- Traditional Chinese edition (2023)
- Simplified Chinese edition (2025)
- Korean edition (2025)
Kotsu Shimbunsha
- Illustrated Introduction to Trains (2022)
- JR East Tokyo General Command Room (2014)
- People Who Support Railways (2013)
Science i (SB Creative)
- The Science of Railways (2013)
- Traditional Chinese edition (Morning Star Publishing): 2014
- Korean edition (Post Science) 2022
Gakken Publishing
- Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railway Vehicle Mechanisms (2012)
- “Super” Illustrated Lectures : Secrets of Railways (2010)
- Super Illustrated : Mastering Railway Vehicles (2007)
Tokyo Shoseki
- Comparing Railways (2011)
- Traditional Chinese edition, Taiwan Tonfan Publishing (2012)
Gihyo-sha
- Learning Illustrated Book: World and Japanese Railway History (2022)
Kobunsha Shinsho
- Olympics and the Remaking of Tokyo (2018)
Chikuma Shinsho (Chikuma Shobo)
- Mechanism of Electric Train (Electric Multiple Unit) Movement, Chikuma Shinsho, Chikuma Shobo (2011)
Visited Countries
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇩🇪 InnoTrans 2016, Berlin, Germany
- 🇯🇵 UIC HIGHSPEED 2015, Tokyo, Japan