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Kenichiro Mogi

もぎ けんいちろう

Mogi Kenichiro

Aliases: もぎけん / Ken
Pen Names: Ken（Nickname / used in English contexts）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1962-10-20 （Nakano, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, English
Residence History
Nakano, Tokyo (birth) → Kasukabe, Saitama (raised until junior high)

Career

Occupations
Neuroscientist, Researcher, Author, Media personality
Active Years
1992-
Affiliations
Sony Computer Science Laboratories (Sony CSL), Tokyo Institute of Technology (visiting associate professor, etc.), Keio University (visiting / specially appointed professor), Waseda University (part-time lecturer)
Influenced By
Roger Penrose
Influenced
Fumihiko Taya, Takataka Sekine, Takumi Ueda

Education

Tokyo Gakugei High School
Period: 〜1981
Year of Graduation: 1981
Country: Japan
High school graduation
University of Tokyo, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics
Faculty of Science / Department of Physics
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Period: 〜1985
Year of Graduation: 1985
Country: Japan
Undergraduate degree in physics
University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law
Faculty of Law
Degree: Bachelor (Law)
Period: 〜1987
Year of Graduation: 1987
Country: Japan
Second undergraduate degree (law)
University of Tokyo Graduate School, Department of Physics
Graduate School of Science / Physics
Degree: 博士（理学）
Period: 〜1992
Year of Graduation: 1992
Country: Japan
PhD (Science). Doctoral thesis: "Mathematical Model of Muscle Contraction"

Awards

Kobayashi Hideo Prize
2005
Work: Brain and Virtuality
Organization: Shinchosha
Result: 受賞
Kuwabara Takeo Award
2009
Work: From Here, From Now to Everywhere
Organization: Usio Publishing / Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Showa Ikeda Prize
1991
Work: Humans and the Environment
Organization: Showa Ikeda Memorial Foundation
Result: 受賞
GQ Men of the Year
2007
Organization: GQ JAPAN
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Brain and Virtuality

2004 Popular science (neuroscience)

A popular-science exploration linking brain function and the concept of 'virtuality' to discuss the nature of consciousness and experience.

QualiaConsciousnessCognition

Introduction to Qualia: When the Mind Feels the Brain

2006 Popular science (philosophy of mind)

An accessible introduction to the concept of qualia, discussing the relationship between consciousness and the brain.

QualiaPhenomenology of consciousness

The Brain Can Play More

2008 Popular science / self-help

An essay-style book introducing habits and methods to make better use of the brain in daily life.

HabitsLearningHuman behavior

Bibliography

  • Brain and Qualia — Why the Mind Is Born from the Brain (1997)
  • Brain and Virtuality (2004)
  • From Here, From Now to Everywhere (2009)

Adaptations

  • Sony CSL–supervised game 'Brain Pleasure: Aha! Experience' (PSP)
  • Television and radio appearances; lectures adapted into broadcast segments

Translations by Author

  • Co-translation of Penrose's 'The Emperor's New Mind' / quantum brain theory (1997)

Translations of Works

  • The Way of Nagomi: Live more harmoniously the Japanese way (English edition, 2022)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Accessible and didacticIllustrative, example-driven exposition
Recurring Motifs
QualiaConsciousnessCreativity and the brain

Legacy

He combined academic research with broad public outreach, popularizing qualia and consciousness topics. His media presence and educational activities have had wide influence, though his views have attracted debate within parts of the academic community.

In Popular Culture

  • Frequent television and radio appearances (broad public exposure)

Quotes

  • The exploration of consciousness is my life's work.
    Source: Statement on 'Marugeki Talk On Demand' (broadcast / online) (2019)

Trivia

  • He loved butterflies from childhood and joined the Japan Lepidopterological Society as a kid.
  • Since about age 33 he has cut his own hair (natural perm).
  • From 2010 he served as a goodwill ambassador for Kasukabe City.