As a person of very broad experience, both in terms of general career and research, John fits well into the College of Indigenous Futures, Education and the Arts. His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Architecture (Melbourne University), Master of Engineering (Waseda University) and a Graduate Diploma of Education (University of Canberra) together with various Japanese language qualifications. He has worked as an architect, parliamentary services officer, international liaison officer, design manager, teacher and small business operator as well as in various public service roles. He became involved in historical research about twelve years ago and has written broadly on various aspects of the history of Japanese in Australia. His 2015 book Silent Pearls was runner-up in the Northern Territory Chief Minister’s History Book Award, and his 2019 book Okinawans Reaching Australia has been translated into Japanese and published in Japan in November 2021. A shorter work, The Japanese Grave of Warruwi, was published as Occasional Paper No. 31 by the Historical Society of the Northern Territory, and he has given numerous presentations around the country on various aspects of his research. He is also a recognised artist and a world-ranked masters athlete.