Rui Izumiyama, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at Nihon University, where he leads the Urban Design & Planning, Izumiyama Lab. As a leading Tactical Urbanist in Japan, he identifies strongly as an “Urban Thinker & Doer,” bridging the gap between academic research and practical implementation. He is the founder and representative director of Sotonoba Inc., Japan’s premier media platform dedicated to public space. Through this platform, he actively connects Japanese practitioners with the global PlacemakingX network. A prolific scholar, Dr. Izumiyama has authored or co-authored 14 books, including the Japanese translations of Tactical Urbanism and Placemaking. He has played a pivotal role in introducing these global concepts to the Japanese context. His influence extends to over 700 lectures, including invited talks internationally, and his practical projects have received numerous accolades, including two Good Design Awards for innovative street experiments. Currently, he serves as a peer reviewer for the International Parklet Manifesto and has voluntarily initiated its Japanese translation to promote global standards in Asia. He remains committed to fostering a dynamic exchange of public space strategies between Japan and the world.