Jay Klaphake is an associate professor in the Interfaculty Institute for International Studies (IIIS) at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, as well as an adjunct professor at Ryukoku University Law School and Kwansei Gakuin University Law School. He has a B.A. from Macalester College and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of law. Prior to teaching in Japan, he was a political campaign manager; an Aide to a member of Congress; and the executive director of, and registered lobbyist for, the University of Minnesota Coalition for Higher Education. His teaching focus includes international and comparative law, American politics, and cross-cultural negotiation.