How did Nishitani Keiji connect Zen Buddhism with Martin Heidegger’s philosophy?

Nishitani Keiji (1900–1990), a prominent member of the Kyoto school, bridged Zen Buddhism and Western thought by integrating insights from his teacher, Martin Heidegger, into his own metaphysical explorations of "Nothingness" (mu).1

Nishitani’s work built upon the foundation laid by Nishida Kitarō, who had previously synthesized Zen concepts with Western philosophical frameworks. By drawing on his direct studies under Heidegger, Nishitani sought to explore the nature of Nothingness through a comparative lens, examining the affinities and differences between the existential concerns of Western philosophy and the foundational traditions of East Asian thought. This approach allowed him to develop a sophisticated philosophical discourse that utilized Zen insights to address universal questions of existence, further evolving the Kyoto school's project of creating a distinctly Japanese philosophical system that engages with global traditions.1