His research grows out of a strong focus on specific geographic settings both in East Asia and South-eastern Europe. Tokyo has provided the context for much of his research, but latterly he has undertaken research on the Balkans and Italy. In recent publications, he has discussed the role of capital and the state in urban restructuring and argued that Tokyo is best conceptualised within a regional urban framework. He has lived in Tokyo for over ten years from 1977 onwards, working as a journalist, writer and town planning consultant (for Arakawa Ward, Tokyo).