Research News KYOT

Kyoto University 2019 Autumn A new humanities for a new Asian future

Kyoto University’s receipt of ‘Designated National University’ broadcast/expression, representing the forward-thinking, status from the Japanese government in June 2017 — establishing outwardly-oriented nature of the effort. Among its other duties, it as one of a select number of model institutions for the future of the unit will serve as the editorial board for an annual Japanese higher education — hinged in part on a defining feature English-based publication comprised of the best of KyotoU’s of our proposal: the promotion of an Asia-centric, humanities and social sciences output. globally-oriented study of the humanities and social sciences. Leading the unit is Yasuo Deguchi, a professor of philosophy This is in keeping with KyotoU’s academic traditions, which steeped in the intellectual traditions of the Kyoto School as well have long been informed by the holistic nature of our as in Eastern and Western modes of thought. With his wealth scholarship: social sciences and field studies lending context of ideas, experience, and personal and global connections, his and meaning to the natural sciences, which in turn — through appointment marks a bold new step toward deep interconnections with partners throughout Asia and the broadening understanding of the humanities world — form a rich network of cross-disciplinary collaboration and social sciences in the modern era, while spanning borders and regions. continuing to have the ideas and thinking of Spearheading this effort is the newly-formed, these schools inform and lend broader cross-departmental and multi-disciplinary research unit — meaning to all of our scholarly endeavors. profiled in the first section — whose name in Japanese includes the phrase mirai-gata hasshin, or future-oriented Nagahiro Minato, Exec VP/Provost

Contents Editorial team 03 On the cover: Backstage at the lab KURN Editorial Board, assisted by the Offices of Public Relations, Research Administration (KURA), and International Strategy (iSO-KU) An Asian Humanities, Publisher: TRAIS K.K. Contact: Kyoto University, Japan +81 75.753.7531 for the future [email protected]

10 Cutting edge 15 KyotoU today 15 So tell us... 16 News from overseas centers 17 On-Site Laboratory network established On the cover On the front, contemporary leading minds of 18 Student voices KyotoU’s HSS depicted in ukiyo-é style (from left: Profs Deguchi and Uehara with Pres Yamagiwa) in Eternal aesthetic front of the historic Chinretsu-kan on the main 19 Yoshida campus, and on the rear HSS giants of the past (historian Ichisada Miyazaki, philosopher Kitarô Nishida, and naturalist Kinji Imanishi) in front of the original Faculty of Literature building. (Trais/Fujiwara) On the cover: Backstage at the lab

An Asian Humanities, for the future Study of the humanities and social sciences of Asia is nothing new. But whereas such inquiry has typically been based on Western principals of thought and analysis, is it not possible to begin anew, from an Asian perspective, to identify and define a study of HSS of Asia, for Asia?

Answering with an emphatic ‘yes’ is Yasuo Deguchi, center, professor of philosophy, and his colleagues of the Unit of Kyoto Initiatives for the Humanities and Social Sciences. A cross-disciplinary project designed as one of the pillars of the University’s Designated National University (DNU) framework, UKIHSS draws on the breadth of the fields of inquiry on campus, coupled with the depth of tradition in philosophy and pan-Asian history and field study spanning KyotoU’s nearly 125-year long history. Also pictured below are (on the left) professor of philosophy Mayuko Uehara and unit associate professor Takuro Onishi, representing the over two-dozen scholars active in promoting the unit’s endeavors.

Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 03 An Asian Humanities, for the future

04 | Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn Backstage at the lab

The role of HSS, he says, is dynamic: to live in other cultures, be steeped in other ideas, believe other faiths, and experience other lives. By then bringing these back into our comfortable, everyday existence, and going through the process of transmission described by Onishi, we can begin to realize the potential of HSS. And where will this lead? Deguchi Thomas Kasulis deconstructing Two down, more to come ‘nothingness’ in the style of the Kyoto School answers without hesitation: “To world peace.” As 2019 turns to autumn and the unit begins planning for its second year, Deguchi is optimistic. Dispelling Yasuo Deguchi A foundation of meaning earlier fears that their audacity might Professor of Philosophy be met with skepticism or — even KyotoU’s president Juichi Yamagiwa worse — indifference, the positive Excerpted closing remarks from the First HSS sees other connections as well. academic and public response to the Symposium, “The Future of an Asian Humanities”, Himself a natural scientist and Japan’s meetings in April and August have Saturday 27 April foremost gorilla expert, he has come renewed his enthusiasm and to see HSS as being a basis — and eagerness to continue and to expand. providing a moral framework — for Throughout these pages, details As we bring this meeting to a close, you might wonder how it would be the natural sciences. Lacking such a about both symposia can be seen in possible to tie together all of the threads of thought we’ve heard today, but since foundation, science and technology flyers from the meetings — depicted that is my job as a philosopher, I’ve succeeded in tying them up (laughter). might simply run amok, ending in the in manga form for the first event — as The common theme throughout today’s talks is the physical body. In the destruction of the very humanity we well as in excerpted remarks from the discussion of Nishida’s Kyoto School teachings, we heard of the physical seek to preserve. organizers. actions of sitting and of meeting face-to-face with others; in the history It is a darker, more cautionary The HSS unit plans more meetings discussion we heard of gathering in departmental offices and buildings and “One important mission is the community extending far beyond the corollary to Deguchi’s vision, starkly and events in Kyoto and beyond as it of traveling to other countries to conduct research; and in the case of field transmission of knowledge,” explains bounds of the campus. illustrating the high stakes these continues its inquiry into an Asian work, we learned of the most physical sort of experience of all, where a Onishi, “brining the fruits of what we academic endeavors entail. Humanities, a field as diverse and researcher travels to remote places to live and work. have learned to the public.” Big Yamagiwa, who has made a strong dynamic as Asia itself. Updates The humanities and social sciences are a compendium of these physical push nationally for forbidding the use (primarily in Japanese) are posted A winding path But a backlash among the academic education ministry MEXT, containing as they make final plans for the coming symposia are a start, he elaborates, Understanding others community ensued, led in part by a statement of unequivocal support school year’s double symposia. experiences, beginning with the individual conducting research, expanding but smaller meetings, seminars, of military funds in university labs, regularly on the unit’s website and Making such a strong statement in strong opposition from KyotoU for HSS, a watershed was reached. (For more on Deguchi’s book to modes of thought centered in departments, and finally encompassing the outreach to schools and local “Mutual understanding will be a key sees the fork in the path ahead as social media, which can be found via favor of HSS has not been easy. scholars, who pointed to the nation’s collection see youtu.be/V0xoSaNnVkU) university as a whole. communities, and other grassroots feature of our inquiry,” says Deguchi. representing a clear moral difference. a search for “ukihss”. Merely three years previous, the long history and deep traditions in This ambitious start befits the high Looking back at the Kyoto School, physicality has always played a key role endeavors, will be necessary as well. mood at the ministry level — with literature and the arts as clear From the grassroots expectations surrounding the unit as it in their thinking. But in the current age, where everything we think we need Ultimately, individual unit backing from industry, facing crises in examples of the core of Japan’s seeks to understand the roots of HSS to know can be gleaned from smartphones in the palms of our hands, are we members representing a spectrum of manufacturing and a predicted cultural strength, which have Fast-forward to the winter of 2019. In his in Kyoto, untangle the branches that not losing touch with physicality? Is this not a crisis of our existence? HSS fields will conduct these decline in national scientific contributed to the enrichment of office lined with bookshelves stacked have split into myriad directions in the If the past is a signpost to the future, then surely these numerous patterns of activities on a person-to-person prowess — was leaning toward human civilization across the globe. with volumes ranging from the study of decades since, and project a clear and thought — sharing as they do the common element of physical existence — level. The team shares a vision of reduction of investment in HSS So in 2017 when KyotoU’s DNU optics to Buddhist thought, philosopher unified vision for these disciplines together mean that our studies in Kyoto of the humanities and social sciences will not merely pooling knowledge, but research and education. proposal was approved by the Deguchi huddles with Onishi, his moving forward. point the way forward through this crisis, lending meaning to our very existence. of learning together with a wider deputy-in-command of HSS unit affairs,

Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 05 An Asian Humanities, for the future

The role of HSS, he says, is Juichi Yamagiwa dynamic: to live in other cultures, be President steeped in other ideas, believe other faiths, and experience other lives. By Excerpted closing remarks from the then bringing these back into our First HSS Symposium comfortable, everyday existence, and going through the process of transmission described by Onishi, we can begin to realize the potential of No one today has mentioned what became of the Kyoto School: its unspo- HSS. ken shame of the war years. But in spite of this past, the day has surely come And where will this lead? Deguchi Two down, more to come when we must look back to the core ideas of the School, and to what these answers without hesitation: “To world meant for the original group of thinkers in the early years of the 20th century. peace.” As 2019 turns to autumn and the unit Philosophy was overtaken by biological science, which in turn was begins planning for its second year, overtaken by information technology. The discovery of DNA’s double-helix Deguchi is optimistic. Dispelling in mid-century ushered in an era where we can begin to understand life’s A foundation of meaning earlier fears that their audacity might deepest secrets, without the aid of philosophy. be met with skepticism or — even KyotoU’s president Juichi Yamagiwa Human society has evolved to the point that we live less in reality than in worse — indifference, the positive sees other connections as well. a fictionalized version of reality; our cities increasingly reflect this fictional academic and public response to the Himself a natural scientist and Japan’s vision rather than their true origins in nature. Is this really the future in which meetings in April and August have foremost gorilla expert, he has come we wish to live? renewed his enthusiasm and to see HSS as being a basis — and One of the key themes to emerge from this symposium is the physical eagerness to continue and to expand. providing a moral framework — for body; the physicality of our existence is the key to our humanity, giving Throughout these pages, details the natural sciences. Lacking such a meaning to our endeavors. It is for this reason that we look to the study of about both symposia can be seen in foundation, science and technology the humanities and social sciences to understand what we truly are. flyers from the meetings — depicted might simply run amok, ending in the in manga form for the first event — as destruction of the very humanity we well as in excerpted remarks from the seek to preserve. organizers. It is a darker, more cautionary The HSS unit plans more meetings “One important mission is the community extending far beyond the corollary to Deguchi’s vision, starkly and events in Kyoto and beyond as it transmission of knowledge,” explains bounds of the campus. illustrating the high stakes these continues its inquiry into an Asian Onishi, “brining the fruits of what we academic endeavors entail. Humanities, a field as diverse and have learned to the public.” Big Yamagiwa, who has made a strong dynamic as Asia itself. Updates push nationally for forbidding the use (primarily in Japanese) are posted A winding path But a backlash among the academic education ministry MEXT, containing as they make final plans for the coming symposia are a start, he elaborates, Understanding others community ensued, led in part by a statement of unequivocal support school year’s double symposia. but smaller meetings, seminars, of military funds in university labs, regularly on the unit’s website and Making such a strong statement in strong opposition from KyotoU for HSS, a watershed was reached. (For more on Deguchi’s book outreach to schools and local “Mutual understanding will be a key sees the fork in the path ahead as social media, which can be found via favor of HSS has not been easy. scholars, who pointed to the nation’s collection see youtu.be/V0xoSaNnVkU) communities, and other grassroots feature of our inquiry,” says Deguchi. representing a clear moral difference. a search for “ukihss”. Merely three years previous, the long history and deep traditions in This ambitious start befits the high endeavors, will be necessary as well. mood at the ministry level — with literature and the arts as clear expectations surrounding the unit as it Ultimately, individual unit Panel discussion at the From the grassroots second symposium backing from industry, facing crises in examples of the core of Japan’s seeks to understand the roots of HSS members representing a spectrum of manufacturing and a predicted cultural strength, which have Fast-forward to the winter of 2019. In his in Kyoto, untangle the branches that HSS fields will conduct these decline in national scientific contributed to the enrichment of office lined with bookshelves stacked have split into myriad directions in the activities on a person-to-person prowess — was leaning toward human civilization across the globe. with volumes ranging from the study of decades since, and project a clear and level. The team shares a vision of reduction of investment in HSS So in 2017 when KyotoU’s DNU optics to Buddhist thought, philosopher unified vision for these disciplines not merely pooling knowledge, but research and education. proposal was approved by the Deguchi huddles with Onishi, his moving forward. of learning together with a wider deputy-in-command of HSS unit affairs,

06 | Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn Backstage at the lab

The role of HSS, he says, is dynamic: to live in other cultures, be Mayuko Uehara steeped in other ideas, believe other Professor of Philosophy faiths, and experience other lives. By then bringing these back into our Excerpted introductory remarks from the comfortable, everyday existence, and Second HSS Symposium, “Women Creating an going through the process of Asian Humanities”, Friday 23 August transmission described by Onishi, we can begin to realize the potential of HSS. The impetus for holding this second symposium stems from two purposes: And where will this lead? Deguchi Two down, more to come that it builds on the achievements of the first symposium, and that it is being answers without hesitation: “To world held in tandem with the second conference of the Asian Association for peace.” As 2019 turns to autumn and the unit Women Philosophers, AAWP. begins planning for its second year, The first HSS symposium, held in April, presented a broad overview of Deguchi is optimistic. Dispelling what we are attempting to achieve with our study of an Asian Humanities. A foundation of meaning earlier fears that their audacity might History, philosophy, and field study were examined in the context of the be met with skepticism or — even past, present, and future of Kyoto University and Asia. KyotoU’s president Juichi Yamagiwa worse — indifference, the positive Meanwhile the three-day AAWP conference, of which this symposium sees other connections as well. academic and public response to the represents the afternoon of the second day, continues to break new ground Himself a natural scientist and Japan’s meetings in April and August have in explorations of philosophical study by women in Asia, this time under the foremost gorilla expert, he has come renewed his enthusiasm and general theme of “Gender, Power, and Dignity in Theory and Practice”. to see HSS as being a basis — and eagerness to continue and to expand. In keeping with this theme, today’s symposium seeks practical solutions to providing a moral framework — for Throughout these pages, details problems faced by women in Asia, looking beyond philosophy to draw upon the natural sciences. Lacking such a about both symposia can be seen in the wisdom of gender studies, sociology, and education, in particular featuring foundation, science and technology flyers from the meetings — depicted Heisook Kim, President of Ewha Womans University in South Korea — and a might simply run amok, ending in the in manga form for the first event — as colleague in philosophy — as well as Vice-President Miho Mitsunari of Nara destruction of the very humanity we well as in excerpted remarks from the Women’s University, Professor seek to preserve. organizers. Emiko Ochiai of sociology, and It is a darker, more cautionary The HSS unit plans more meetings doctoral candidate in education corollary to Deguchi’s vision, starkly “One important mission is the community extending far beyond the and events in Kyoto and beyond as it Minako Saigo. illustrating the high stakes these transmission of knowledge,” explains bounds of the campus. continues its inquiry into an Asian Each speaker brings a uniquely academic endeavors entail. Onishi, “brining the fruits of what we Humanities, a field as diverse and personal perspective to her Yamagiwa, who has made a strong have learned to the public.” Big dynamic as Asia itself. Updates studies, both as women push nationally for forbidding the use But a backlash among the academic education ministry MEXT, containing as they make final plans for the coming symposia are a start, he elaborates, (primarily in Japanese) are posted conducting research, and in the A winding path Understanding others of military funds in university labs, community ensued, led in part by a statement of unequivocal support school year’s double symposia. but smaller meetings, seminars, regularly on the unit’s website and use of personal experiences as a “Mutual understanding will be a key sees the fork in the path ahead as Making such a strong statement in strong opposition from KyotoU for HSS, a watershed was reached. (For more on Deguchi’s book outreach to schools and local social media, which can be found via subject of inquiry. favor of HSS has not been easy. scholars, who pointed to the nation’s collection see youtu.be/V0xoSaNnVkU) communities, and other grassroots feature of our inquiry,” says Deguchi. representing a clear moral difference. a search for “ukihss”. Merely three years previous, the long history and deep traditions in This ambitious start befits the high endeavors, will be necessary as well. mood at the ministry level — with literature and the arts as clear From the grassroots expectations surrounding the unit as it Ultimately, individual unit backing from industry, facing crises in examples of the core of Japan’s seeks to understand the roots of HSS members representing a spectrum of manufacturing and a predicted cultural strength, which have Fast-forward to the winter of 2019. In his in Kyoto, untangle the branches that HSS fields will conduct these decline in national scientific contributed to the enrichment of office lined with bookshelves stacked have split into myriad directions in the activities on a person-to-person prowess — was leaning toward human civilization across the globe. with volumes ranging from the study of decades since, and project a clear and level. The team shares a vision of reduction of investment in HSS So in 2017 when KyotoU’s DNU optics to Buddhist thought, philosopher unified vision for these disciplines not merely pooling knowledge, but research and education. proposal was approved by the Deguchi huddles with Onishi, his moving forward. of learning together with a wider Heisook Kim Miho Mitsunari Emiko Ochiai Minako Saigo deputy-in-command of HSS unit affairs,

Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 07 An Asian Humanities, for the future

08 | Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn Backstage at the lab

An exploration in manga form, by Science Manga Artist Hayanon @ hayanon.jp

The HSS Unit’s First Symposium KyotoU’s traditions of The Future of We’re looking back over the knowledge are a world an Asian Humanities century-plus of KyotoU’s treasure! These are Asian Humanities tradition, represented by… which we then critique in So, what’s this light of world circum- symposium all stances in the present and Kitarô Nishida, about, anyway? in the context of the Hajime Tanabe, and Keiji Nishitani’s future, delivering this Mysterious Prof Bear discourse to the world. Hakkuma Kyoto School of Philosophy Yasuo Deguchi HSS unit head and professor of philosophy

Konan Naitô and So now it is up to us to Ichisada Miyazaki’s look at the issues Oriental History humanity faces today and contemplate the future of our Asian Humanities! Kinji Imanishi and Tadao Umésao’s The future! Field Research

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 The Kyoto School KyotoU’s Oriental History The Potential for a Field — Past, Present, and Future and its Place in the World Humanities Examining the potential and the Discussing how KyotoU’s approach Examining the art and science of challenges of melding perspectives from has been inherited by scholars research in the field as cultivated at Kyoto and the West into a possible worldwide. KyotoU, and discussing future directions model for a “World Philosophy”. for the humanities.

Xiaoguang Lin Masakatsu Fujita Mamoru Tonami Associate Professor Masakazu Tanaka Professor Emeritus Thomas Kasulis Professor Emeritus of the Zhejiang Professor of KyotoU’s Juichi Yamagiwa President of of KyotoU Professor Emeritus of of KyotoU University School Institute for Research Ohio State University of Humanities in Humanities Kyoto University

“Kyô” for By observing KyotoU’s academic traditions And the finale will be Kyoto and from different perspectives, we are sure to a discussion among KyotoU gain a vividly three-dimensional view of our all of the speakers! Asian Humanities. The discourse among our speakers will be a site to behold!

Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 09 This second section features a sampling of the latest scholarship from Cutting edge KyotoU, covering a broad range of fields of inquiry from virology and gene www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/cutting-edge/ expression to primatology and ophthalmology.

A petrifying virus key to evolution

cientists are constantly stone-like — covering. Perhaps discovering new it was no surprise, then, that S species, but not Medusavirus was found in hot always in nice places. springs in northern Japan: the Now a research team of first giant virus to have been scientists from Kyoto isolated from a heated University, Tokyo University of environment. Science, Japan’s National Along with the location of Institute for Physiological its discovery, Medusavirus has Sciences, and Tokyo Institute a number of distinguishing of Technology report on the features that set it apart from Medusavirus, a unique giant other ‘giant’ viruses. Its DNA Medusavirus DNA begins and The existence of histone that gives pause to current codes for all five types of completes in the host nucleus, genes in Medusavirus and theory on viral evolution. histones, the key proteins that eventually filling the amoeba capsid protein genes in the The Medusavirus is so help compact DNA molecules nucleus with viral DNA, which amoeba suggest lateral gene named for the effect it has on its within the nucleus. In fact, no again is unique. transfer going both directions: host amoeba, Acanthamoeba other known virus has all five. Moreover, the capsid — host-to-virus and virus-to-host. castellanii. Once infected, the Further, Medusavirus encoded protective shell — surface is Overall, the findings — amoeba forms cysts in a neither RNA polymerase nor uniquely covered with an appearing in the Journal of process known as ‘encystment’. DNA topoimerase II, whereas extraordinary number of Virology — suggest that This is a typical response to a all other giant viruses encode spherical-headed spikes. Not Medusavirus represents a new hostile environment and leaves at least one. surprisingly, the amoeba family of large DNA viruses the amoeba with a hard, These features could explain genome encoded several that offers a new model for protective — almost why the replication of capsid surface proteins. host-virus co-evolution.

‘gene expression’ is a complex Tet — system’ and the For mammalian cells, the the Tet system is not perfect, tools and designed them to “We can now accurately mechanism that adjusts ‘light-activated protein Tet system is one such due to the difficulty of fine bind together in the presence control gene expression inside dynamically depending on interaction system’. common, chemically- spatio-temporal regulation, of blue light, resulting in two a living mouse’s body, such as each cell’s ultimate shape and “Many researchers have regulated system that can clouding results. versions of PA-Tet: in the brain and under the function. developed tools that activate activate specific genes. It “These drawbacks can limit PA-Tet-ON and PA-Tet-OFF. skin,” states Yamada. For some time now, genes in different ways. Some utilizes a small molecule the accuracy of our data,” In the former, the Tet Lead researcher Itaru researchers have had tools to are based on proteins that called Doxycyclin — or continues Yamada, “because element activates with Dox, Imayoshi concludes, “Our artificially turn specific genes change shape when they are Dox — to move the Tet with Tet we can’t turn a gene but when the light is lab’s main focus is neural ‘on’ or ‘off’ at will. stimulated by light illumination,” transcription activator on or off on and then immediately off switched off, the protein development and regeneration Let there be And now, a team from explains first author Mayumi of the DNA, thereby again since Dox is still present.” complex splits apart and of the brain. Neural stem cells Kyoto University’s Graduate Yamada, who published the controlling gene expression. “Realizing this, our team ceases all activity. show dynamic changes in School of Biostudies have study in Cell Reports. Alternatively, light sensitive came upon the idea of This new tool was shown to gene expression in a precise light-activated genes increased the precision of one “Once the protein shape proteins — that change shape controlling the Tet system increase or decrease activity and timed manner. This PA-Tet tool by combining two has changed, it will attach to a in response to particular using light, to make a ‘Photo- depending on the concentration system will help not only our hile each cell in your the skin on your nose or in a well-established gene specific part of a cell’s DNA wavelengths — have been Activated Tet transcription of Dox as well as due to light field of research but the wider body generally leg muscle depends on how manipulation technologies: the and then begin the process of used to activate genes in yeast. activator’, or PA-Tet.” intensity, and even short bursts study of genetics and cell W contains the same its genes have been ‘Tetracycline-controlled expressing a gene to make a Their efficiency in mammalian The researchers took the of light could pulse gene biology.” DNA, whether that cell is in deciphered. This so-called transcriptional activation — protein.” cells is low, however, and even key elements of both protein expression levels.

10 | Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn Search for article titles Cutting edge for paper, author details & more!

key to proper sperm cell development, and that its Infertility’s roots dysfunction has consequences similar to deficiency in a gene in DNA packaging called Ppp1cc2. “Further study showed that athological infertility is in sperm cells — the smallest Hspa4l is vital for the proper a condition affecting humans produce — another functioning of phosphatase P roughly 7% of human protein called ‘protamine’ is Ppp1cc2, a protein regulator,” males, and among these cases, needed to wind the strands continues Itoh. “A dysfunction 10–15% are thought to have a even tighter. in Hspa41 stops Ppp1cc2 from genetic cause. However, “It’s been known for about reaching chromatin, resulting pinpointing the precise genes 30 years that protamines are in failure to dephosphrylate responsible for the condition modified and matured during protamine 2 at serine 56, and has been difficult, due to the sperm development to enable with protamine 2 not extensive number involved in proper functioning,” explains functioning, sperm cells don’t generating and developing first author Katsuhiko Itoh from develop.” sperm cells. Kyoto University’s Graduate With these data, the team In a paper appearing in School of Medicine. produced a mouse in which Science Signaling, a Japanese “This prompted us to serine 56 was substituted to team reports unravelling the disclose the underlying alanine, dephosphomimetic of mechanism behind one cause mechanism and biological dephosphorylated serine: the of infertility — incomplete consequences of protamine single amino acid replacement development of the proteins regulation, so that we can see that made all the difference. packaging DNA in sperm how this process contributes to When combined with a modification in the process cells — and further, success in ‘spermatogenesis’ — the mutation resulting in of sperm cell maturation. making test mice fertile by making sperm cells.” non-functioning Hspa41, the The group hopes to further replacing a single amino acid The team focused on a mouse showed no dysfunction unravel the complex network on a key protein. series of chaperones: proteins in spermatogenesis, effectively of gene interaction and In every cell, thread-like that assist in processing other preserving fertility. protein modification in DNA is wound tightly in the proteins. Detailed genetic Itoh emphasizes that his spermatogenesis, and its nucleus around bobbin-like analysis revealed that a team’s research shows the further implications for proteins called ‘histones’. And chaperone known as Hspa4l is value in studying protamine infertility.

‘gene expression’ is a complex Tet — system’ and the For mammalian cells, the the Tet system is not perfect, tools and designed them to “We can now accurately mechanism that adjusts ‘light-activated protein Tet system is one such due to the difficulty of fine bind together in the presence control gene expression inside dynamically depending on interaction system’. common, chemically- spatio-temporal regulation, of blue light, resulting in two a living mouse’s body, such as each cell’s ultimate shape and “Many researchers have regulated system that can clouding results. versions of PA-Tet: in the brain and under the function. developed tools that activate activate specific genes. It “These drawbacks can limit PA-Tet-ON and PA-Tet-OFF. skin,” states Yamada. For some time now, genes in different ways. Some utilizes a small molecule the accuracy of our data,” In the former, the Tet Lead researcher Itaru researchers have had tools to are based on proteins that called Doxycyclin — or continues Yamada, “because element activates with Dox, Imayoshi concludes, “Our artificially turn specific genes change shape when they are Dox — to move the Tet with Tet we can’t turn a gene but when the light is lab’s main focus is neural ‘on’ or ‘off’ at will. stimulated by light illumination,” transcription activator on or off on and then immediately off switched off, the protein development and regeneration And now, a team from explains first author Mayumi of the DNA, thereby again since Dox is still present.” complex splits apart and of the brain. Neural stem cells Kyoto University’s Graduate Yamada, who published the controlling gene expression. “Realizing this, our team ceases all activity. show dynamic changes in School of Biostudies have study in Cell Reports. Alternatively, light sensitive came upon the idea of This new tool was shown to gene expression in a precise increased the precision of one “Once the protein shape proteins — that change shape controlling the Tet system increase or decrease activity and timed manner. This PA-Tet tool by combining two has changed, it will attach to a in response to particular using light, to make a ‘Photo- depending on the concentration system will help not only our hile each cell in your the skin on your nose or in a well-established gene specific part of a cell’s DNA wavelengths — have been Activated Tet transcription of Dox as well as due to light field of research but the wider body generally leg muscle depends on how manipulation technologies: the and then begin the process of used to activate genes in yeast. activator’, or PA-Tet.” intensity, and even short bursts study of genetics and cell contains the same its genes have been ‘Tetracycline-controlled expressing a gene to make a Their efficiency in mammalian The researchers took the of light could pulse gene biology.” DNA, whether that cell is in deciphered. This so-called transcriptional activation — protein.” cells is low, however, and even key elements of both protein expression levels.

Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 11 Cutting edge

he human body has their slumber. These findings, Monitoring the production powerful healing which may also apply to stem of the two proteins over time, Prince Charming’s T abilities. But treating cells elsewhere in the body, the team pinpointed a brain disorders is no easy task, appeared in the journal wave-like pattern that leads as brain cells — neurons — Genes & Development. to stem cells waking up and kiss unlocking have limited ability to “No one before us has turning into neurons in the regenerate. Nonetheless, directly compared active brain. brain’s regenerative stem cells are a form of stem cells in embryos with When they ‘knocked out’ natural backup, a vestige of inactive, ‘quiescent’ adult the genetic code needed to our days as still-developing stem cells,” says group make Hes1, the cells started potential? embryos. leader Ryoichiro Kageyama to make more Ascl1, which The difficulty is that, as we of KyotoU’s Institute for then activated almost all the age, our brains’ stem cells ‘fall Frontier Life and Medical neural stem cells. asleep’ and become harder to Sciences, who points out “It is key that the same wake up when repairs are that at least two genes and genes are responsible for needed. Despite efforts to their associated proteins both the active and harness these cells to treat regulating activation had quiescent states of these stem neurological damage, already been identified. cells,” Kageyama adds. “Only scientists have until recently The team focused their the expression dynamics been unsuccessful in attention on protein ‘Hes1’, differ between the two.” decoding the underlying which is strongly expressed “A better understanding of ‘sleep’ mechanism. in the adult cells. This the regulatory mechanisms Now, researchers at Kyoto normally suppresses the of these different expression University studying brain production of other proteins dynamics could allow us to chemistry in mice have such as ‘Ascl1’, small switch the dormant cells on revealed the ebb and flow of amounts of which are as part of a treatment for a gene expression that may periodically produced by range of neurological wake neural stem cells from active stem cells. disorders.”

Crabbing, they learned, not only took place year-round — Chimps caught crabbing without regard to season or fruit availability — but hy do we fish? habitually catching and and Kyoto University’s Leading intriguingly was negatively At some point eons consuming freshwater crabs. Graduate Program in Primatol- correlated with the chimps’ W ago, our primarily Writing in the Journal of ogy and Wildlife Science. consumption of ants, another fruit-eating ancestors put their Human Evolution, the team “Further, our findings diet staple. Mature males hands in the water to catch describes year-round, fresh suggest that aquatic fauna may were the least likely to and eat aquatic life, water crab-fishing behavior — have been a regular part of consume aquatic fauna. inadvertently supplementing primarily among female and hominins’ diets and not just a “Energy and sodium levels their diet with nutrients that infant chimpanzees — living seasonal fallback food.” in large crabs are comparative initiated a brain development in the rainforest of the Nimba The study began in 2012 with ants,” explains Koops, behaviors may not be monkey species in locations process that eventually led to Mountains in Guinea, West when the researchers first “leading us to hypothesize that restricted by habitat as consistent with aquatic us. But how did this begin? Africa. observed the chimpanzees crabs may be an important initially assumed. faunivory — lakes, rivers, or Now, according to a “The aquatic fauna our fishing for crabs. For two year-round source of protein “This isn’t the first case of coastlines — and not in research team from Kyoto ancestors consumed likely years, they documented the and salts for females — non-human primates eating closed rainforest.” University, one potential clue provided essential long-chain demographics and behavior especially when pregnant or crabs,” points out senior “It’s exciting to see a may have surfaced thanks to polyunsaturated fatty acids, of these chimps, while also nursing — and for growing co-author Tetsuro Matsuzawa, behavior like this that allows observations of our closest required for optimal brain analyzing and comparing the juveniles.” “but it is the first evidence of us to improve our genetic relatives: chimpanzees. growth and function,” explains nutritional value of the crabs The study further sheds apes other than humans doing understanding of what drove The scientists report the first first author Kathelijne Koops to other foods in the light on our own evolution, so. Notably, previous our ancestors to diversify ever evidence of wild chimps from the University of Zurich chimpanzees’ diet. by showing that fishing observations were from their diet.”

12 | Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn Cutting edge he human body has their slumber. These findings, Monitoring the production To test this assumption, powerful healing which may also apply to stem of the two proteins over time, the team recorded face and abilities. But treating cells elsewhere in the body, the team pinpointed a hindquarter coloration along brain disorders is no easy task, appeared in the journal wave-like pattern that leads with hormone levels of as brain cells — neurons — Genes & Development. to stem cells waking up and selected female macaques have limited ability to “No one before us has turning into neurons in the during the winter mating regenerate. Nonetheless, directly compared active brain. season. stem cells are a form of stem cells in embryos with When they ‘knocked out’ “Contrary to what we natural backup, a vestige of inactive, ‘quiescent’ adult the genetic code needed to originally thought, changes in our days as still-developing stem cells,” says group make Hes1, the cells started female skin color did not embryos. leader Ryoichiro Kageyama to make more Ascl1, which actually indicate the ovulation The difficulty is that, as we of KyotoU’s Institute for then activated almost all the A study in period. Skin color did not age, our brains’ stem cells ‘fall Frontier Life and Medical neural stem cells. correlate with fertility either,” asleep’ and become harder to Sciences, who points out “It is key that the same scarlet Japanese explains Rigaill. wake up when repairs are that at least two genes and genes are responsible for “Further, females of higher needed. Despite efforts to their associated proteins both the active and social status had darker or harness these cells to treat regulating activation had quiescent states of these stem macaques redder hindquarters, neurological damage, already been identified. cells,” Kageyama adds. “Only something until now only scientists have until recently The team focused their the expression dynamics rom peacocks to Coloration also occurs in reported in male primate been unsuccessful in attention on protein ‘Hes1’, differ between the two.” butterflies, nature many primates, if not for the populations.” decoding the underlying which is strongly expressed “A better understanding of F typically doesn’t same reason. For example, Altogether, female red ‘sleep’ mechanism. in the adult cells. This the regulatory mechanisms disappoint when it colors the the faces and hindquarters of skin color may play a more Now, researchers at Kyoto normally suppresses the of these different expression males of a species, which — male and female Japanese complex role in Japanese University studying brain production of other proteins dynamics could allow us to in the case of traditional sex macaques have been macaques than previously chemistry in mice have such as ‘Ascl1’, small switch the dormant cells on roles — are expected to observed to change color thought, and in fact possibly revealed the ebb and flow of amounts of which are as part of a treatment for a compete for mates, resulting according to season. But in a more involved in signaling gene expression that may periodically produced by range of neurological in the males evolving flashier study published in social attributes rather than wake neural stem cells from active stem cells. disorders.” ornamentation. Behavioral Ecology and fertility. Sociobiology, a team from Rigaill continues, KyotoU’s Primate Research “Intriguingly, females don’t Institute propose that female show precise behavioral or red skin color acts as a coloration changes until the Crabbing, they learned, not ‘badge’ of social status and beginning of pregnancy, only took place year-round — not — as previously outlining a larger picture of without regard to season or thought — of fertility. the sexual signaling in this fruit availability — but First author Lucie Rigaill species: females seem to hy do we fish? habitually catching and and Kyoto University’s Leading intriguingly was negatively explains that while female conceal ovulation but signal At some point eons consuming freshwater crabs. Graduate Program in Primatol- correlated with the chimps’ primates display colorful pregnancy.” ago, our primarily Writing in the Journal of ogy and Wildlife Science. consumption of ants, another traits, little is actually known The team is excited to have fruit-eating ancestors put their Human Evolution, the team “Further, our findings diet staple. Mature males about the role such features more evidence that mate hands in the water to catch describes year-round, fresh suggest that aquatic fauna may were the least likely to play in mating. choice, sexual competition, and eat aquatic life, water crab-fishing behavior — have been a regular part of consume aquatic fauna. Previous studies in other and mating strategies are inadvertently supplementing primarily among female and hominins’ diets and not just a “Energy and sodium levels primates, such as rhesus dynamic and expressed by their diet with nutrients that infant chimpanzees — living seasonal fallback food.” in large crabs are comparative macaques and mandrills, both sexes. The scientists are initiated a brain development in the rainforest of the Nimba The study began in 2012 with ants,” explains Koops, behaviors may not be monkey species in locations have shown a link between therefore looking to expand process that eventually led to Mountains in Guinea, West when the researchers first “leading us to hypothesize that restricted by habitat as consistent with aquatic red skin color variation and their understanding of the us. But how did this begin? Africa. observed the chimpanzees crabs may be an important initially assumed. faunivory — lakes, rivers, or ovulation or fertility. Female evolution of sexual Now, according to a “The aquatic fauna our fishing for crabs. For two year-round source of protein “This isn’t the first case of coastlines — and not in Japanese macaques have communication in other research team from Kyoto ancestors consumed likely years, they documented the and salts for females — non-human primates eating closed rainforest.” also been observed to primate species, eventually University, one potential clue provided essential long-chain demographics and behavior especially when pregnant or crabs,” points out senior “It’s exciting to see a acquire ‘redder faces’, linked leading to humans. may have surfaced thanks to polyunsaturated fatty acids, of these chimps, while also nursing — and for growing co-author Tetsuro Matsuzawa, behavior like this that allows to variation in sex hormone observations of our closest required for optimal brain analyzing and comparing the juveniles.” “but it is the first evidence of us to improve our levels, leading researchers genetic relatives: chimpanzees. growth and function,” explains nutritional value of the crabs The study further sheds apes other than humans doing understanding of what drove to assume that darker or The scientists report the first first author Kathelijne Koops to other foods in the light on our own evolution, so. Notably, previous our ancestors to diversify redder faces are a sign of ever evidence of wild chimps from the University of Zurich chimpanzees’ diet. by showing that fishing observations were from their diet.” mating availability.

Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 13 Search for article titles Cutting edge for paper, author details & more!

‘colloid physics’ — a method for measuring interactions of Testing corneal cell quality? micro- and nanoparticles — was employed to assess the Apply physics cornea cells. “Calculating the interactions ophthalmologists at KPUM between all cells in the cornea succeeded in developing a allowed us to find the ‘spring method to culture the cells in a constant’, correlating with dish. collective cell order.” “These new cells could then Assessment is relatively be transplanted into the eyes simple. Researchers only need of patients and restore their to extract the ‘rims’ of the cells, corneas to health,” says either from a microscopic KPUM’s Morio Ueno. image of the cells in a culture This method has shown dish or from ophthalmological significant promise in clinical inspection images of the trials, but two major obstacles patients’ eyes. Both the quality to wider application remain: of the cells and their long-term quality control of cells before efficacy can be determined injection and confirmation of with just one equation. long-term functionality. The procedure has potential Typically, cell quality is applications in preemptive artwork: Tomo Narashima assessed through protein medicine, enabling clinicians expression patterns via ‘flow and doctors to intervene ur eyes — the “Cornea transplantations cytometry’. However, a single before more severe symptoms windows to the become necessary when test requires almost 100,000 appear. O soul — need ‘corneal endothelial cells’ cells and relies heavily on the “Our results are thanks to constant care, and as we decrease in number, resulting observations and experience the united effort of physicists age, they sometimes also in haziness,” explains project of senior professionals. and doctors engaged in need significant repair. leader Motomu Tanaka. “Cells in a tissue are regenerative medicine,” The panes of these Endothelia don’t multiply constantly interacting with concludes Tanaka. “We windows — the corneas — well in the human body, which each other to maintain a foresee that our ‘quantitative are transparent tissues that is why there has been a need steady state, called biomarker’, and the concept have been the focus of some to rely on the transplantation of homeostasis,” explains first behind it, will be applied to of the oldest and most donor corneas for treatment. author Akihisa Yamamoto, other epithelial cell cultures common transplantation Fortunately, in 2009 a team of adding that the concept of and tissues in the future.” surgeries. Now thanks to researchers in Kyoto, some such transplants may become even safer. The team, led by KyotoU physicists and Kyoto The worms that roared Prefectural University of oft-bodied animals record — for ocean fauna — Medicine (KPUM) aren’t usually known during combative ‘mouth ophthalmologists, has S for making loud fights’. Follow the QR code to developed a ‘quantitative noises, but these the video. biomarker’ that makes it ocean-dwelling Leocratides possible to assess the quality kimuraorum, of the Seto of corneal cells — and even Inland Sea, have been predict their long-term observed generating some of efficacy — through simple the loudest sounds on observation. A report on their findings appeared in Nature Biomedical Engineering.

video: Ryutaro Goto 14 | Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn Kyoto University spans three campuses in the city of Kyoto, numerous offices, research facilities, and other operations around the country, and KyotoU today dozens of centers, liaison offices, and field stations across the globe. In this third section, learn of some of the latest developments from the forefronts of research, overseas offices and labs, and student life.

So tell us… what do you do and how did you get to Japan?

“How do chimpanzees and humans perceive bodies?” Jie Gao PhD Candidate and JSPS DC1 Fellow, Graduate School of Science www.cicasp.pri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/people/jie-gao Originally from China. First came to KyotoU in 2014 as a student intern. Started master course from 2015 and then doctoral from 2017. Current recipient of a DC1 Research Fellowship from JSPS, and by KyotoU’s Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science.

“What multidisciplinary lessons can we learn from the study of Southeast Asia?” Mario Lopez Associate Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) en.kyoto.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/about/staff-page/lopez-mario-ivan/ Originally from the United Kingdom. Came to KyotoU in 2009 as an assistant professor. Associate Professor as of 2014. Current recipient of funding from the Japan-ASEAN platform for transdisciplinary humanosphere research, and also Kakenhi Kiban B from JSPS.

“What does cinema teach us about our society and ourselves?” Mitsuyo Wada-Marciano Professor of cinema, media studies, and transcultural studies, Graduate School of Letters www.cats.bun.kyoto-u.ac.jp/jdts/team/academic-staff/mitsuyo-wada-marciano/ Born in Japan and educated in both Japan and the United States. KyotoU professor from July 2018. Author of numerous books and studies on Japanese and Asian cinema from their advent in the 1920s through the post 3.11/Fukushima disaster period. Current recipient of funding from the Kyoto University Foundation.

JSPS = Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Kakenhi Kiban = Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A, B, or C)

Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 15 KyotoU today

News from overseas centers www.oc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/

Bangkok ASEAN Center

This April the ASEAN Center KyotoU researchers have welcomed Eiji Nawata — conducted diverse and former dean of the Graduate thorough fieldwork in the School of Agriculture and a region since the 1960s, specialist in tropical ranging from the natural agriculture — as its new sciences to the humanities Director. With deep and social sciences. Former experience leading Center Director Shibayama, education and research for example, pioneered the ASEAN Center founding director Mamoru Shibayama (left) collaboration programs use of informatics in the welcomes new director Eiji Nawata to Bangkok throughout the region, study of ancient heritage Nawata is committed to sites by applying GIS and demonstrated by an graduate students and building constructive and remote sensing technologies, increase of inquiries from researchers to explore sustainable relationships with which inspired a generation prospective students trans-disciplinary areas that universities and academic of scientists across borders related to economics and add value to a new vision institutions across ASEAN, as and disciplines. Asian studies. This is good of an Asian and field well as supporting the Throughout the region, news for the University’s humanities. extensive work of students interest is growing steadily new HSS unit (described and colleagues at the Center. in HSS at KyotoU, as earlier), which welcomes

self-awareness and explained how the Japanese Heidelberg European Center communication. principle of blank space — Seven KyotoU researchers aida, in between — is representing the fields of imbued with meaning and The international conference Japan á Paris, and KyotoU. philosophy, primatology, can be used to explain the “Does Nature Think?” was The central question of the Western art history, relationship between held in Paris 6–8 June, meeting — its title — was anthropology, and humans and nature. organized by UNESCO, the raised by French Japanologist agricultural science gave Situated similarly ‘in Research Institute for Augustin Berque. His critique presentations, with President between’, the European Humanity and Nature, École of modern Western Yamagiwa speaking on the Center sees its key mission Nationale Supérieure des ascription of transcendental last day on “Japanese as acting as a bridge Mines de Paris, EHESS, status to humans framed the Concepts on the World between the value systems Maison de la Culture du discussions of non-human Living Things”. Yamagiwa of Japan and Europe.

and representation of which will undoubtedly Washington society. contribute to cross-cultural The North American exchange within fields of North American Center Center supports facilitating study in the humanities, as and publicizing the well as lend an added A long tradition of academic individual scholars working innovative research coming dimension to study of exchange in HSS fields exists together across linguistic, out of KyotoU, and is excited today’s technology-centric between KyotoU and North cultural, and historical by the initiative of the HSS age of personalized American institutions, built boundaries, jointly seeking a unit to publish a book series medicine, social media, and upon linkages among truly ‘human’ interpretation on an Asian humanities, artificial intelligence.

16 | Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn KyotoU today

On-Site Laboratory network established

In December 2018, Kyoto University began rollout of a global network of “On-Site Labs” as envisioned in its Designated National University proposal. These eleven already operational or soon-to-open facilities are managed jointly by KyotoU grad schools and centers together with partner universities and institutes overseas, facilitating cutting-edge science, staff mobility, and the strengthening of collaboration with industry.

Comparative Cognitive IFOM-KU Joint Research Laboratory iPS Cell Research Center at Science Laboratory Gladstone Institutes Grad School of Medicine Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Center for iPS Cell Research University of Sorbonne (IFOM) in Milan; lab located in Kyoto and Application (CiRA) Nouvelle/Paris 3; joint labs Gladstone Institutes located in both Paris and Kyoto in San Francisco

Research Center San Diego Grad School of Medicine University of California San Diego (UCSD)

Quantum Nano Medicine Center iCeMS Center for Advanced Genomic University of California Los Angeles & Field Science UC Irvine; lab located in Kyoto Primate Research Institute (PRI) Makerere University in Uganda Kyoto University Shanghai Lab Institute for Chemical Research (ICR) On-Site Laboratory at Mahidol University Fudan University for Educational and Research Collaboration in Environmental Studies Center for Integrated Biosystems Grad School of iCeMS Global Environmental Studies Academia Sinica in Taiwan Mahidol University in Thailand Cooperative Research and Education Center for Environmental Technology (CRECET) Grad Schools of Engineering & Smart Materials Research Center of Global Environmental Studies iCeMS Graduate School at Shenzhen, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Tsinghua University Science and Technology (VISTEC) in Thailand IAS = KyotoU’s Institute for Advanced Study iCeMS = the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences at IAS FIRC = the Italian Foundation for Cancer Research

Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 17 Student voices

Yuiki with friends from Harvard’s Japan Society. He has maintained contact with them and meets them regularly. Particle physics is often studied in large facilities such as at UTokyo’s Super-Kamiokande, but with recent “A study of the quantum-level control and able to leave behind concrete results was a advances it is now possible to conduct measurement of ultra-cold molecules and significant achievement for me.” many experiments with lab-sized their ground-breaking applications in apparatuses. The measurement Before returning to Kyoto, he even precision of the Doyle Lab’s project is particle physics.” among the highest in the world. managed to secure a promise from the Knowing that his report’s title is a mouthful, California Institute of Technology for a Yuiki Takahashi says, “It’s got to be the least new overseas research trip: a wonderful omoroi title of all of the Omoro Challenge souvenir to cap off a visit to America that applications. But I won’t lose to anyone on was full of highs. the omoro-ness of the content.” While he might seem like the type to The University-sponsored ‘Omoro immediately leap into action as soon as an Challenge’ — omoroi being the Kansai idea comes to him, Yuiki is actually dialect variant of omoshiroi for something surprisingly meticulous in this planning. that is ‘interesting/curiosity inducing’ — “I always want to go where I can grow the gives selected undergraduates the most, and stand at the very front in order opportunity to design a personalized, to be the first to see the scenery up ahead. research-based, study-abroad program. I want to use physics to answer the Launched in 2016, around 100 grants question of how the universe began: not have been given out so far, including the just in theory, but as an experimentalist one that Yuiki managed to secure to take who seeks new phenomena and verifies him all the way to Harvard University. existing theories through rigorous data He spent two months there in the collection. The challenges I have taken on laboratory of John M Doyle, a so far have given me a real, first-hand world-leading nuclear physicist, following a sense of what life is like at the cutting edge chance opportunity during a lunch meeting of the world.” while the professor was visiting Japan. Now attending graduate school at the Yuiki prepared for his ‘challenge’ trip by University of Tokyo, Yuiki says of the future, poring over related papers. And then while “I realize that just talking about my dreams there, he worked as part of a team that won’t pay the bills, but if I want to solve was engaged at the forefront of the field. the mysteries of physics, devoting my life to these experiments is the least I can do.” “This is a very serious project, into which massive research funds have been invest- And with his direct gaze and frank words, ed, so the responsibility is huge. I realized he may some day actually discover some it was an opportunity to put my true new and wondrous fragment of the abilities to the test, and the fact that I was universe.

Living life on the omoroi edge 2017 Omoro Challenge recipient

Yuiki Takahashi (Faculty of Science alumnus)

18 | Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn Eternal aesthetic

Artwork by Kyoto University students, combined A Fund to with artistic scenes as glimpsed by researchers. help us grow 自分だけのヒーローが道を照らしてくれるからそだけど、の誰かを傷つけることもあるだろう誰普段かそはのみの理想たその扉を誰かがたたいたら最初ん姿めなをにかに、心蓋ら理想のをな悪役奥底しりのにたて自分にな、いしりに自分またなっをれい描てば人き生ないなきんいがててらいいるない Since its founding in 1897, Kyoto University has been committed to a spirit of openness and academic freedom that pervades all levels of academic life, from freshman courses to research in world-leading laboratories. Protecting and promoting this freedom, and encouraging students to reach even further, is the highest goal of the institution. The Kyoto University Fund provides an avenue for university stakeholders — from members of the local community to businesses and corporate sponsors — to support these students, their efforts, and their learning and study environment. In addition to a main, central fund, special-purpose funds are targeted “Like a Hero” toward particular activities and fields Kyoto Tokusatsu Project of research. Since childhood, a young man has had a One example is the SPEC (Student dream. Facing the ugliness of adult greed, Projects for Enhancing Creativity) he trembles with a sense of justice, rising up fund, in which student r&d projects against them and grasping immense selected through a contest received Yoshida Music Works strength. The power of dreams and the development funding. Yuta Ueno (4th Year, Faculty of tragedy accompanying them: where do Engineering) these lead him? Making dreams a reality for students and researchers throughout Title: Turntable “What is true justice?” the institution: this is what the Fund Going home after a long day, an old friend The young man, having now destroyed makes possible. suddenly comes to mind, filling me with everything, looks up and sees the hero he For details on types and levels of nostalgia. The floor of the Chinese had once yearned to become. restaurant I drop into is a bit greasy, as is support, as well as payment often the case. Inspired by this scene, methods, please see the website mixing warmth and melancholy, I selected below. Your generous support of the this piece of music. university is most greatly appreciated.

No one chooses to be a villain from the beginning We all imagine what we want to become when we grow up, Kyoto University Fund But lock this image away in our heart of hearts +81 75-753-2210 We usually keep our ideals a secret, en.kikin.kyoto-u.ac.jp Sometimes we may hurt others But if someone knocks on our heart’s door We can be our ideal self for that someone A hero of our very own will light our way

Yukidaruma Production Ayane Seike (1st Year, Faculty of Letters) What is a hero to you? Perhaps it is the lead character of a sci-fi movie or cartoon you saw as a child. But those are all “heroes” of our memories. The ideal hero lies inside each individual’s heart. The music made me feel nostalgic, but also somehow urged me to take a step forward to describe the gap between my ideal self and reality, and the path I will take to reach that ideal. Kyoto U Research News 2019 Autumn | 19 facebook.com/Kyoto.Univ.E

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