Â鶹AV

On February 28, 2025, Â鶹AV (HU) held the first symposium of the Program for Forming Japan¡¯s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS) at the Ryoun Building on the Kasumi Campus. A total of 109 participants attended in person, while 147 joined online.

The event opened with remarks from HU President Mitsuo Ochi, followed by guest speeches from Higashihiroshima City Mayor Hironori Takagaki (via video message), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Science and Technology Policy Bureau Deputy Director-General Takuho Senzaki, and Kobe University President Masato Fujisawa.

Michinari Hamaguchi, Director General of the Strategic Center of Biomedical Advanced Vaccine Research and Development for Preparedness and Response (SCARDA) at the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and chief supporter of the J-PEAKS Support Team, delivered the keynote speech. This was followed by a presentation from HU Executive Vice President for Research Seiichi Miyazaki, who outlined the university¡¯s vision and initiatives under J-PEAKS. Building on this, representatives from HU¡¯s J-PEAKS priority hubs, together with Professor Hideto Matsuyama, Director of the Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology at Kobe University¡ªour collaborating institution¡ªintroduced ongoing initiatives at their respective hubs.

During the coffee break, participants enjoyed momiji manju, a Hiroshima specialty, while engaging in informal discussions.

In the second half of the symposium, a panel discussion titled ¡°Towards Creating a University Loved by the Local Community and Recognized Worldwide ¨C Building a Hiroshima Research & Innovation Valley through J-PEAKS¡± was held, featuring six panelists from the J-PEAKS Support Team, HU, the local community, and industry. 

Representing the J-PEAKS Support Team, Professor Shigeaki Zaima of Meijo University¡¯s Graduate School of Science and Technology, HU¡¯s designated J-PEAKS supporter, and Professor Masayuki Shimada of HU¡¯s Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, the J-PEAKS liaison, participated in the discussion. From HU, Executive Vice President for Global Initiatives Shinji Kaneko joined the panel. Representing the local community, Masahiko Kanao, director and head of the Content Business Department at RCC Broadcasting, shared his insights, while Kota Nosaka, Senior Director of Advanced Technology at Micron Memory Japan, and Tadao Takano, president and CEO of Bushu Pharmaceuticals, provided industry perspectives.

The symposium concluded with a review by Michinari Hamaguchi, who shared his assessment of the discussions and highlighted key challenges for HU as it advances the J-PEAKS project. Participants offered positive feedback, and the event ended on an optimistic note.