Brian studies the history of Modern Japan with a focus on cities, urbanization, and the body. He began his course of study at the University of Kansas where he earned his B.A. and M.A. in History. His master’s research explored the cultural politics of Tokyo’s busiest train station, Shinjuku Station, at the confluence of three major forces: the restructuring of Japanese National Railways into a public corporation, the interest from competitive developers stimulated by Japan’s economic miracle, and the pressure of increasing commuter demand within the context of rapid postwar urbanization. His current work centers around the political and cultural history of “rush hour” and commuter railways in Tokyo.