Greetings from -U AUTUMN 2013 Issue 24 Raku-Yu Kyoto University Newsletter CONTENTS 1 Kyoto University: A Pioneer of the Future World Editor in Chief Michiaki MISHIMA, Executive Vice-President of Kyoto University Shuichi HOKOI 2 Features Associate Editor The Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies Naoko SAITO in Human Survivability (Shishu-kan) Senior Editors Kyoto University Becomes ’s First Institution Tomoyuki ARAKAWA to Join edX Consortium Makoto HIJIKATA E-book Dishes from Around the World Released Akihiko KOGA 6 Forefronts of Research at Kyoto University Kazuya NAKAMURA Mechanism and Reconstitution in vitro of Germ Cell Development Rajib SHAW in Mammals Timothy William STEWART Mitinori SAITOU, Professor, Graduate School of Medicine Takeshi YAMASHITA In the Path of Islamic Area Studies: Understanding Islamic Societies through Primary Sources and Fieldwork Coordinator Yasushi KOSUGI, Professor, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies Daichi UCHIBORI 10 ESSAY On Shaky Ground Editorial Collaborator James Jiro MORI, Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute KOSOSHA CO.,LTD. 11 INTERVIEW “I am pleased to be able to engage in cutting-edge research activities Printed by in such a favorable environment. I also enjoy promoting mutual under- KOSAIDO CO.,LTD. standing between international students and Japanese people.” Yong LIANG, Ph.D. student (JSPS research fellow) at the Graduate School of Engineering 12 What’s Happening in International Relations Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Gives a Lecture at Kyoto University © The Committee of Public Relations Japan-China Students’ Discussion Forum Held at Kyoto University of Kyoto University AUTM Asia 2013 Kyoto A Note on Order of Names PROMENADE As a general rule, names appearing 14 Raku-Yu Maruyama Park: A City Park That Has Long Looked Over Kyoto and Its Residents in are written in given name/family name order. Editor’s Notes The cover image for this issue of Raku-Yu summons thoughts about worldviews, the bearing of culture on individual perception, the history of ideas and human creativity. When new theories emerge, they are often ridiculed by those whose Raku-Yu means to respect, treasure, and enjoy work is based upon the assumptions of status quo beliefs. Presented with competing understandings, individuals must one's friendship. decide which ideas, and which leaders, to follow. The inspiring leader Aung San Suu Kyi in her recent Kyoto University talk stressed the great untapped potential that female creativity offers societies. Today, discipline-area specializations are increasingly narrowed and compartmentalized. While detailed specialist knowledge is valuable, overly-specialized study might This name was taken from the impede creative solutions. Today’s young researchers are future leaders who will need to tackle highly complex systemic assembly hall called "Raku-Yu Kaikan" that commemorated problems. This issue of Raku-Yu emphasizes the importance of leadership in contemporary society and highlights the need the 25th anniversary of the for students to broaden their understandings through area studies, research collaborations and fieldwork abroad. founding of Kyoto University.

Cover: “Illustration of an Orrery” from the Series of Copper Engravings by Kokan Shiba Kokan Shiba (1747 – 1818) was a leading artist of the Edo Period (1603 – 1868). Although he started his artistic career by learning Japanese-style painting, basically at the Kano School, in time he became interested in Western-style painting. In 1783, he produced Japan’s first copper engraving. He was indeed a man of great curiosity, which led him to paint three-dimensional yofuga (Western-style paintings using Japanese paints and materials) and oil paintings, using various Western painting techniques, including perspective and shadow methods. In addition to art, he was interested in natural sciences and studied rangaku (Dutch studies). He published books on world geography and astronomy, with colorful illustrations and copperplate engravings. The Kyoto University Library owns his series of 12 copperplate engravings, with motifs range from snow crystals to insects, a world map and vigorous solar activity. From the 12-work series, the cover of this issue displays the engraving of an orrery, a mechanical device that illustrates the relative positions and motions of planets in the Solar System in a heliocentric model. In addition to works by Shiba, the Kyoto University Library owns many valuable historical materials, including books published during the Edo Period on the subjects of astronomy, mathematics, engineering and natural history. These materials attest to the fact that Japanese people during that period were extremely keen to learn the natural sciences and had advanced knowledge and technologies of a surprisingly high level.

H-ii Michiaki MISHIMA Since his boyhood, Executive Vice-President Mishima, who was born in 1951, has been an extensive reader. Because of his interest in a broad range of academic fields, he once planned to major in literature or civil engineering, but he finally enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine at Kyoto University. He found that the broad spectrum of his knowledge of humanities was useful in his service as a physician. He often tells stu- dents the vital importance of double “Ss,” comprising Science and Service, based on his conviction that physicians must serve patients by exploiting whatever knowledge and skills they have. To this end, he believes that physicians must acquire a broad knowledge cov- ering not just medical science but also various other academic disciplines. With a smile, he said, “The medical profession is just the right occupation for me.” For five and a half years since 1992, he engaged in research activities at McGill University in Canada. In 2001, he was appointed as a professor at the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, and at Kyoto University Hospital. In 2011, he was designated as Director of the University Hospital. Since 2012, he has been Executive Vice-President for International Affairs and Hospital Administration. To fulfill his role in leading the uni- versity’s internationalization, which is one of its priority tasks, Executive Vice-President Mishima has been preparing a new international strategy for the university by holding dis- cussions with other leaders. “Having assumed the position of Executive Vice-President, I have begun to view the university from a broader perspective and to consider more deeply ways to internationalize the hospital. I am pleased that the entire university is now united to promote its internationaliza- tion,” Dr. Mishima explained. To our question about his hobbies, he said that he loves climbing mountains around the margin of the Kyoto Basin. From the summit he no doubt views not just the Kyoto Basin spreading below, but also the entire world lying far beyond the mountains.

Kyoto University: A Pioneer of the Future World

Since October 1, 2012, I have been Executive Division for iPS Cell Application Development, dedicated Vice-President for International Affairs and Hospital to clinical applications of iPS cells to drug discovery and Administration. Amid growing calls for reforming univer- regenerative medicine. Moreover, the Hospital has been sities, our priority tasks include the internationalization of designated by the national government as a Clinical Trials Japanese universities. To further develop Kyoto University Core Hospital, to serve as a national core center of clinical as an institution that generates world-class knowledge, we researches. The internationalization of medical treatment should prepare new international strategies and dynami- is one of the most pressing issues for us. To this end, we cally implement practical action plans. With this in mind, are promoting exchange programs with medical profes- in June 2013, we adopted new international strategies with sionals in diverse countries. Making effective use of our the following three major goals. The first goal is promoting medical resources, particularly those accumulated in the research programs with excellent global competitiveness. said facilities, Kyoto University Hospital seeks to achieve The second goal is reinforcing international education, the radical innovation of medical treatments, thus contrib- designed to foster human resources with a global perspec- uting to society. tive and competency. The third is promoting international Since Kyoto University has grown into such a large contribution toward the realization of a harmonious global organization with a great many constituents, to ensure community. Moreover, Kyoto University intends to double its further growth, it is imperative that all constituents be its internationalization scores by 2020 (2 by 2020) so as to unified and concert their efforts to ensure the continuous win recognition as a World Premier University (WPU) and growth of their beloved university. I firmly believe that to be ranked among the top ten universities in the world. Kyoto University, comprising exceptional students, faculty Kyoto University Hospital features abundant world- members, and staff members, with extraordinary affection class medical facilities, including Kyoto University Cancer for the university, will long remain a pioneer of the future Center, which is the first cancer center in a Japanese state- world. university hospital; the Organ Transplant Unit, which boasts of world-class achievements; the Clinical Research Center for Medical Equipment Development, which fosters human resources to be engaged in the development and Michiaki MISHIMA management of cutting-edge medical equipment; and the Executive Vice-President of Kyoto University

1 Features1

The Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (Shishu-kan) The Graduate School of Advanced survivability. Through their studies at perspective, GSAIS graduates should be Integrated Studies in Human the GSAIS, the students are expected to able to impart a broad range of knowl- Survivability (GSAIS) was launched at assume responsibility as global leaders edge, apply their advanced expertise to Kyoto University in the 2013 academic and develop a high sense of mission and resolutions of social issues, and foster year. This is a new 5-year Graduate perspectives both in Japan and interna- their capabilities to integrate and fuse School aiming to cultivate future global tionally. such knowledge for practical application. leaders through teaching and research on The educational program at the GSAIS human survivability. is supported by the Leading Graduate 2. Educational curricula The purpose of the GSAIS is to School Program, which is run by the During the 5-year doctoral course, the produce top-level global leaders Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, GSAIS provides the students with unique who can help to resolve the complex, Sports, Science and Technology. curricula. The education at the GSAIS diversified and integrated social issues is centered on the traditional philosophy facing contemporary societies. As 1. Background and scope that learning occurs through hearing, leaders, graduates should develop a Global issues are becoming more thinking and practicing (a Buddhist term strong sense of responsibility, humanity complex and diverse in various systems “mon-shi-shu” on which the program’s and morality, along with wisdom and such as politics, economics, culture and name is based). Students are expected highly developed management skills. industry. All these issues are of consid- to enhance their ability to adopt an Advanced Integrated Studies in Human erable magnitude and their complex all-encompassing perspective across Survivability is defined as an academic nature may pose an imminent threat to various fields by building a broad spec- discipline that explores a broad spec- the harmonious coexistence of human- trum of professional learning, ranging trum of thoughts, policies and methods kind. To address such global issues, we from the humanities through sciences to deal with complex world issues and aim to train future leaders who have the and based upon the body of academic contribute to the survival of humankind abilities to discover, analyze, formulate knowledge they acquired during their and the global community. In other and structure important social issues in undergraduate studies. The educational words, Advanced Integrated Studies in order to formulate possible solutions for and research training is globally focused Human Survivability is an integrated implementation. and conducted mainly in English. field of scholarship that studies ways to Our goal is to train global leaders who The GSAIS curricula have the structure and share knowledge for human have the ability to put their studies into following features.

Jukugi Jukugi

Jukugi (debate training)

2 a) Tailor-made curricula to assimilate and create models based ence necessary for considering their Depending on their academic back- on the empirical knowledge that students future roles, as well as contribute to ground and future goals, individual gain from the social implementation of their research projects in the doctoral students should construct their own study such skills, both in Japan and abroad. program. The service learning programs plans during the five-year program, with are conducted in the first and second advice from their supervisors. 3. Course work, internships and years both in Japan and developing coun- b) An educational curriculum focusing fieldwork tries, thus enabling students to pursue on dialogue and debates (Jukugi) Internships, fieldwork, and project- their interests by participating in various Students have many opportunities based research are important course projects. to discuss various issues with faculty requirements designed to raise students' Overseas fieldwork members and other students. They also attributes and capabilities to the levels The students will undergo one-year attend debates organized to air the view stipulated in the diploma policy of the of training with an international organi- of external lecturers from industry and GSAIS; namely, the levels required to zation or overseas office of a Japanese government (Industry-Government enable them to defend their doctoral organization. The internship program Cooperation Special Seminar Jukugi). theses. Such attributes and capabilities has been made possible thanks to the c) Mentorship from multiple supervi- include the humanity to act indepen- kind collaboration of various organiza- sors dently as a member of global society, the tions such as UNESCO, OECD, JICA, as Our students enjoy the advantage of capability to gain a deep and balanced well as leading international companies a multiple supervisor system involving understanding of social issues, and the and universities. During the internship faculty members together with research strengthening of ethical responsibility period, students will be placed in one guidance collaborators. Mentors include to motivate graduates to fulfill public of the organizations for one year to faculty members who teach relevant missions. gain international exposure and skills in subjects in other graduate schools at Internships (service learning in and cross-cultural communications. They are Kyoto University, thereby effectively outside Japan) naturally encouraged to examine their underpinning students' education and The students are required to complete own ideas and carry out research based research activities. internships both in Japan and abroad, on their own interests. Supervisors guide students as they so that they can understand their own Project-based research hone their basic research skills aiming current positions, acquire the experi- Academic training, internship service

3 and fieldwork combine with the unique trate on their studies and research at the from the University. They also get finan- mentoring system to help students imple- GSAIS. cial support for their research activities. ment their own projects and complete a Residential college Education / research facilities Ph.D. thesis. The students live in a residential The GSAIS Building on the Yoshida college on campus, which enhances the Campus provides students with education/ 4. Supports for students environment for learning by facilitating research facilities, including computers, The GSAIS accepts just 20 students student interaction across discipline. Of library access and seminar rooms. per year, keeping the student-to- course, faculty members are available Students are also free to tap into Kyoto instructor ratio very low. Students onsite to provide necessary support. University's extensive collections housed receive various kinds of support from Scholarship on various campuses. the University so that they can concen- Eligible students receive a scholarship

Regarding the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (Shishu-kan) —Interview with Dr. Shuichi Kawai, Dean of GSAIS—

Q: What were the purposes of establishing the Graduate School of myself and my country Japan Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (Shishu-kan)? from the outside. This helped A: To establish a totally new type of a graduate school to be dedicated me establish my own identity to cultivating the leaders who will be truly needed in the future global as a Japanese. Subsequently, community. This vision, conceived by President Hiroshi Matsumoto, this experience in my youth was the origin of the plan to establish Shishu-kan. Since our present helped me tremendously to society is faced with diverse multi-faceted and complex social achieve research outcomes in problems, to address and overcome such problems, we need multi- diverse disciplines, including disciplinary expertise to offer practical solutions and the ability to forestry, materials science, take action in response to diverse situations. To meet this demand, we wood technology, psychology have prepared a plan to foster future global leaders who are capable and environmental studies. of contributing to the survival of the global community. To realize Q: I heard that the Graduate the plan, we have decided to establish a brand new framework for School’s curriculum features Shuichi KAWAI interdisciplinary education and research programs, centered on a new a wide variety of academic Dean, Graduate School of Advanced academic field: Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability. disciplines, known as “integrated Integrated Studies in Human Survivability Q: What types of experience and learning do you think are necessary academic foundations in eight (Shishu-kan) for students who aspire to become future leaders as envisioned by fields.” What’s the purpose of introducing such a curriculum? Shishu-kan? A: Through gaining a broad spectrum of knowledge, I truly hope that A: It is my hope that the students of Shishu-kan will have extensive students will learn the methodology of scholarship. No matter how experiences within and outside Japan. It is crucial to view the world much advanced scientific knowledge you gain, it is destined to become from a standpoint away from their own countries or their own major obsolete sooner or later because of the progress of science. However, area of specialization. Such experience will help them develop a if you have knowledge concerning how to learn, you can constantly capacity to view the world objectively and understand matters that are renew your knowledge base. In this way, I believe that advanced unfamiliar to them. I strongly feel so when I recall my own youth. I was knowledge in methodology will help graduates of Shishu-kan 20 years born in Kyoto and spent most of my time in Kyoto, especially on the or even 30 years from now, when the present students become leaders campus of Kyoto University. At the age of 22, driven by a strong desire of the global community. to see the external world, I went travelling with just a single backpack. Q: What kind of students do you expect to enroll in this program? From Kobe Port, I embarked on a voyage to Taiwan, Southeast A: The most important thing for prospective students to possess is a Asia, India, and the Middle East. Crossing more than ten countries, lofty aspiration to serve others and society. I hope that young people I eventually went to Sweden, where I enrolled at an institute of with lofty visions and a high sense of mission will gather here at the technology. On my way home I crossed the Eurasian Continent. During Shishu-kan, and fly high in global society from this nest. the long journey, which took three and a half years, I learned to view

4 Features2

Kyoto University Becomes Japan’s First Institution to Join edX Consortium (May 21, 2013)

Kyoto University has joined the edX ophy of making platforms and course Institute for Chemical Research. This consortium, becoming the first institu- contents (lectures) universally avail- course will start in the spring of 2014 tion in Japan to do so, and will open able. and student registration for the course a course on its platform. This deci- • The enhancement of the educational will begin this summer. sion was made based on the following experience not only places emphasis grounds: on the online course itself but also What Is edX? • Reputable universities such as Harvard makes good use of the synergistic edX is a non-profit online learning University and Massachusetts Institute effect of blending online classes initiative of xConsortium, composed of Technology (MIT) manage the non- and on-campus classes (Blended of leading global universities. Jointly profit educational consortium. Learning). founded by Harvard University and • A new online educational method • Through the analysis of online Massachusetts Institute of Technology called “Massive Open Online Courses learning data and the verification (MIT), edX is designed to realize the (MOOCs)” offered through edX of educational outcomes collected compatibility between online and is based on the open source philos- through edX, Kyoto University will on-campus education and offers epochal have support for its develop- methodologies, learning experiences, the ment of educational content. fun and excitement of game-like labs, and Kyoto University will the outcomes of cutting-edge research offer the “KyotoUx” programs on the open-source plat- series in edX. The first form. Imparting knowledge that inspires lecture to be delivered by and raises the awareness of students of Kyoto University will be diverse generations, social statuses, and “Chemistry of Life,” to income levels, edX is working to build be provided by Professor a global community of its students from Motonari Uesugi of the around the world. (The “X” in edX repre- Institute for Integrated Cell- President Hiroshi Matsumoto (left) and Professor Motonari sents the future of education.) Uesugi (right) at the press conference Material Sciences and the

E-book Dishes from Around the World Released (March 22, 2013)

From 2004 to 2008, the International Japanese. In addition to the recipes, of various countries. Moreover, by Exchange Section of the Faculty and the e-book runs photographs of natural appreciating the dishes, readers will be the Graduate School of Agriculture landscapes and World Heritage Sites able to learn the food cultures of various organized world cooking classes where in diverse countries, making the book countries firsthand. You can download international students and researchers unique and even more attractive than the e-book in both PDF format and from various countries played the role of ordinary cooking books. Apple iBooks format from the following instructors. The classes were extremely The e-book also introduces Kyoto URL: http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/ popular: over the years 31 classes were University’s original programs to news_data/h/h1/news7/2013/130322_2. held with a total of 600 participants, promote international friendship. The htm. comprising both students and faculty e-book will help readers prepare dishes members. Collecting the recipes introduced in the cooking classes, the International Exchange Section recently released an e-book titled Dishes from Around the World. It contains recipes for 128 home-cooked dishes from 27 countries/ regions, described in both English and

5 Mechanism and Reconstitution in vitro of Germ Cell Development in Mammals

Germ cells are the only cell lineage in a few days. Crucially, spermatogenesis from d2EpiLC was highly correlated that terminally differentiates into sperm was induced when these PGC-like cells with the change in gene expression (male germ cell) and egg (female germ were implanted into the neonate-testis of when PGCs were induced from epi- cell), creates a new individual and trans- a reproductive cell-deficient W/Wv mouse blasts (Figure 1). We then transplanted mits genetic information to the next (Kit gene mutated mouse), the induced the PGCLCs into the neonate-testis of a generation. Germ cells deftly convert sperm resulting in the development of W/Wv mouse and found the induction of genome-wide epigenome modifica- healthy offspring by intracytoplasmic spermatogenesis: the sperm resulted in tions effected during their development sperm injection (ICSI). On the basis of the development of healthy offspring by processes and recombine genomic these results, we suggest that in order to ICSI. The system that induces PGCLCs information to acquire totipotency and induce PGCs from pluripotent stem cells through EpiLCs was also reproduced diversity as a cell. Thus, the under- in a test-tube, it is necessary to induce with different ESC lines or even with standing and the reconstruction of germ epiblast-like cells and then to induce induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSC cell’s molecular basis are expected to PGC-like cells. lines). The PGCLCs induced from the contribute to the development not only We therefore began studying the con- iPSCs also resulted in healthy sperm, and of reproductive medicine engineering, but ditions for inducing epiblast-like cells furthermore, healthy offspring (Figure 1). also of stem-cell biology and regenerative from embryonic stem cells (ESC). We Following the same procedure, we medicine in general. cultivated ESC under conditions in which induced PGC-like cells from female Both sperm and egg are derived from the “ground state” for ensuring pluri- ESC/iPSC. When female PGC-like cells primordial germ cells (PGCs) that are potency was maintained. Study results were cultivated together with fetal ovary induced at an early ontogenetic stage. under different conditions showed that somatic cells in an aggregate state, they Normally produced at the back of an ESC differentiate into epiblast-like cells formed fetal ovary-like clumps of cells embryo, PGCs pass through developing (EpiLC) when stimulated by Activin A (reconstituted ovaries), the PGC-like primitive bowels and migrate into a (ActA), basic fibroblast growth factor cells in those clumps shifting into imprint primary reproductive organ. They then (bFGF), or low-concentrated knockout erasure, X-chromosome reactivation and receive signals from the primary repro- serum replacement (KSR). After careful meiosis. When the reconstituted ovaries ductive organ and begin to differentiate consideration of the gene expression were transplanted under ovarian bursa of into sperm or egg. PGC differentiation that occurred in connection with the immunodeficient mice, the PGC-like cells into sperm or egg progresses through process of differentiation from ESC to differentiated into a mature egg which, complex processes. EpiLC, we also showed that the change after isolation, contributed to the develop- With the aim of elucidating the devel- in gene expression was very similar to ment of a healthy mouse through in vitro opmental mechanism of reproductive that associated with the differentiation of fertilization (IVF) (Figure 1). cells and replicating the process in a test- epiblasts. In particular, the gene expres- These facts demonstrate that we suc- tube (or culture dish), we have studied the sion of EpiLC (d2EpiLC) after 2 days ceeded in reproducing the PGC-induction developmental mechanism of the mouse from the beginning of differentiation process in a test-tube, starting from plu- Forefronts of Research at Kyoto University PGC as a first step. As a result, we have (d2) was very similar to that of E6.0 ripotent stem cells. Our findings will successfully identified B lymphocyte- epiblasts. These results show that the in enable scientists to induce massive induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP1) vivo epiblast differentiation process was amounts of PGCs (on the order of 106) and PR domain-containing 14 (PRDM14) replicated in the process of differentiation and to analyze the induction process in as transcriptional regulators necessary for from ESC to EpiLC. detail. Furthermore, our findings will PGC formation. Furthermore, we have We cultivated d2EpiLCs under condi- serve to construct a future foundation for shown that PGCs were induced from epi- tions in which epiblasts were induced into reproducing the entire reproductive cell blasts at embryonic day (E) 6.0 by bone PGC-like cells. As a result, we found that development process in a culture dish. morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), and most of the cultivated d2EpiLC expressed Replication of the human reproduc- that when the E6.0 epiblasts were culti- Blimp1 and Prdm14 after two days from tive cell developmental process, starting vated under serum-free conditions in the beginning of induction, and that these from pluripotent stem cells, can lead to presence of several cytokines, including cells differentiated into PGC-like cells understanding of the causes of the infer- BMP4, most of the epiblasts initially (PGCLCs) in the next several days. The tility that originates in the malfunction expressed Blimp1 and Prdm14, these change in gene expression associated of reproductive cells and to the devel- cells differentiating into PGC-like cells with the process of PGCLC induction opment of treatments based on these

6 findings. On the other hand, however, nity to inform these studies could also open the door to the public of the possibility of regenerative medicine their research that aims to produce a human infant using purposes and reproductive cells artificially created findings. Also, in a culture dish (guidelines published they must not by the Ministry of Education, Culture, only achieve Sports, Science and Technology ban the high research Forefronts of Research at Kyoto University creation of human embryos from pluripo- levels, they tent stem cell-derived reproductive cells). must have Researchers involved in reproductive high ethical cell research should use every opportu- standards.

Figure 1 Left half shows PGCLC induction from mouse ESCs/iPSCs through EpiLCs and the creation of sperms, eggs, and fertile mice from PGCLCs. Right shows microarray-based principal component analysis (PCA) of gene expression changes during the process of inducing PGCLCs from ESC through EpiLCs. Analysis shows that change in gene expression associated with differentiation from EpiLCs to PGCLCs is very similar to that in gene expression associated with differentiation from epiblasts to PGCs (revised from Hayashi et al., Cell, 146, 519-532, 2011).

Mitinori SAITOU enroll at either the Faculty of Science or the science.” As a result of painstaking hard work, in ・ Born in 1970 Faculty of Agriculture, and eventually to engage 2005, his team finally succeeded in identifying ・ Field of specialization: Molecular Biology, in environmental protection activities at the United the relevant gene: Blimp1. Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Nations, his interest in the brain and nerves led He joined Kyoto University in 2009, where he ・Completed doctoral degree at Graduate School him to enroll at the Faculty of Medicine, the succeeded in generating sperms, and eventually of Medicine, Kyoto University Professor explained. ova from pluripotent stem cells of mice. In many ・ M.D., Ph.D., Kyoto University Coincidentally, researchers were beginning to other works, he also made great achievements, ・Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto identify the genes responsible for the abnormal which are highly valued around the world. All his University multiplication of cells in cancer. This made achievements have resulted from his painstaking ・ URL http://www.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/E/grad_ Professor Saitou interested in cell multiplication and untiring efforts. Professor Saitou has been school/introduction/1103/ and differentiation. At the graduate school, he devoted to research themes that have great joined the lab led by the late Professor Shoichiro potential for future applications, but which are Rather than seizing on a brand new Tsukita to study morphological molecular biology. not so appealing and so remain mostly unnoticed. idea, or taking a shortcut by imitating In his third year at the graduate school, he To the question, “Are you following the teaching other scientists, I will remain slow but selected germ cell formation as his research of Professor Tsukita,” Professor Saitou nodded steady, opening up my own way by theme, since he thought that germ cells are crucial earnestly. approaching a problem through the in the understanding of life, death, and aging. “I front door. also wanted to select an interesting theme from As a young boy, Professor Saitou became a philosophical viewpoint,” he added. interested in a wide variety of subjects. He After studying in the United Kingdom for three loved insects, read books on astronomy, and years, he was appointed as a team leader at RIKEN contemplated the mystery of the cosmos and in 2003. At RIKEN, Professor Saitou continued to the evanescence of human lives. After enrolling search for a gene that works in primordial germ at a prestigious high school, he continued to cell formation by thoroughly investigating the read many books on diverse subjects, ranging functions of each respective gene one by one. from space physics to humanities. Since Although this research required untiring efforts many such books were written by professors and patience, he said, “I checked datum after of Kyoto University, he became fascinated by datum, following the exhortation of Professor Kyoto University’s “historical commitment to Tsukita that we have to be steadfast in our vision academic freedom” and entered the university and approach any problem through the front in 1989. Although he had initially planned to door, while referring to holistic knowledge of life

7 In the Path of Islamic Area Studies: Understanding Islamic Societies through Primary Sources and Fieldwork

Area Studies aims at surveying, globalization in Area Studies poses background. For Islamic Area Studies, studying and comprehending the questions about the uniqueness of each a term coined in Japan 15 years ago, various areas of the world, such as the area. Arabic is crucially important as a native Middle East and North Africa, Sub- The interdisciplinary nature of language of Arab countries and as a Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. It research is one of the basic pillars of lingua franca of the Islamic world. involves in most cases learning about Area Studies. Because an area is the Since the establishment of ASAFAS an area, or country, or society, alien to sum of its human activities, compre- in 1998, we have strived to collect the student so that it surprises him/her hending an area requires a perspective Arabic resources. Thanks to all those with exciting encounters. that is interdisciplinary, not confined who have engaged in our vision, the In our Graduate School of Asian and to a particular discipline. I myself Arabic collection at Kyoto University African Area Studies (ASAFAS), stu- have been actively involved in various is now the largest in Japan. We are also dents go into the field, climbing up into fields of Islamic Studies, Comparative collecting secondary sources in Western mountainous regions, living in agri- Politics, and International Relations in languages, while our continuing accu- cultural villages, wandering through order to study the realities of the grass- mulation of resources at the Center for markets in cities and observing local roots movements for Islamic revival in Southeast Asian Studies and Graduate industries, in order to understand the the Middle East. Furthermore, human School of Letters also forms a point of life of people in those areas. In my area activities are based on interrelations strength for us. What this means is if I of research, the Islamic Middle East, with nature and the environment. Kyoto am researching some topic, two thirds students are conducting field has not only strengthened of the materials I might be looking for on various topics. Often one third of Area Studies but also has been pro- are usually available in just 15 minutes. graduate students are in the field, so all moting research that combines the Our students find great advantage with come to the common seminar only at natural and social sciences as well as this condition. the beginning of an academic year. humanities, resulting in a unique posi- As part of Islamic Area Studies, Area Studies in Japan has purposely tion in the world, since Area Studies South Asia constitutes an important developed in a different way than is usually considered part of the social area of research. For this reason, we in the US, and as a result has been sciences. have acquired an Urdu collection, the highly evaluated in Asia and Africa. In pursuing research in Area Studies, so-called Aqeel Collection, named after Even today, in Asia and Africa, some interdisciplinary theoretical thinking, a scholar whose love for books and people characterize Area Studies as field work, and primary sources literature created this marvelous col- American-dominated hegemonic schol- are necessary. If we don’t know the lection. This is the second largest Urdu arship. The Center for Southeast Asian language(s) of a given society, we collection in the world, and the best Studies and the Center for African Area cannot understand that society. It is in terms of contemporary studies. Our Studies at Kyoto University pioneered imperative as a communication tool. policy, as researchers, is to immediately such studies, which ASAFAS directly Moreover, we should understand catalogue and shelve books we acquire Forefronts of Research at Kyoto University inherited. In a nutshell, Area Studies the universe in which the people of a so that all researchers in Japan can use engenders mutual understanding and locality think, speak, interact, and live. them without serious delay. We are cooperation among the peoples of the We need to grasp the inherent logic of currently concentrating on making this world. In other words, it strives to build the language since we all perceive the collection available to the public. a better global society by better under- world through our mother tongues. We have also digitized some impor- standing one another. Studying primary sources and books tant primary sources. The best example Since research in the United States written and read in language(s) of is Majalla al-Manar (The Light after the end of the Cold War has the area is a method of digging up a House), published in Cairo from 1898 moved toward universalism, Area treasure trove of accumulated local to 1935. This Arabic journal had circu- Studies in Japan, seeking to explore knowledge and disclosing its inherent lated from Java in the east to Morocco the details of the inherent variety in the logic and ways of thinking. In a lan- in the west. In its forty thousand pages world, has gained more weight. While guage with a wealth of historical are recorded various ideas of Islamic globalization is increasing, its manifes- sources such as Arabic, this kind of revival as well as correspondence and tations and responses differ from one research can connect our contempo- information from near and far areas society to another. Even the study of rary studies with the depth of historical of the Islamic world. Our objective, to

8 digitize this journal with large indexes was to make such a rich primary resource available to all researchers, especially younger ones, to help facilitate their studies. The Islamic world in general and Arab countries in particular Forefronts of Research at Kyoto University have entered an era of turbu- lence in the 21st century. We have observed the events of 9/11, the Iraq War, the ongoing “Arab Spring” since the end of 2010, and the resultant civil war in Syria, among others. These events are also deeply correlated with decades-long Figure 1 Kosugi’s works in Arabic: Edited collections of primary texts, Figure 2 The fi rst page of Vol.1 of issues of the Palestine Question bibliographical data of Arab periodicals and Journal of al-Manar on al-Manar, from the digital edition CD-ROM (in the front) and Gulf Security. Through these developments, satellite TV and of the primary sources that we aim to zation in Area Studies, adding further the Internet have significantly expanded grasp. We could call this the challenge excitement to our research. their roles, and extended the horizons of the age of globalization and digiti-

Yasushi KOSUGI he began to develop an interest in area studies. Islamic world. Having collected 20,000 Arabic ・ Born in 1953 While studying at Al-Azhar University, where books, he is working on building a world- ・Field of specialization: Islamic Studies, Middle he received his bachelor’s degree, he visited class center of Islamic area studies at Kyoto East Area Studies several other Islamic countries, witnessing University. He is also committed to fostering ・Graduated from the Faculty of Islamic Studies, firsthand the impacts of the Iranian Revolution future researchers of Islamic area studies. With Al-Azhar University and the Lebanese civil war. His own experience of a mischievous smile, he explained that his ・ LL.D., Kyoto University walking around towns undergoing such upheavals exceptional curiosity was probably nurtured in ・Professor, Graduate School of Asian and convinced him that the essence of area studies his hometown in Hokkaido, Japan’s last frontier African Area Studies, Kyoto University resided in shedding light on common values of and home to pioneers. ・ URL http://www.asafas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/ local residents, that is, the values that they take divisions-staff/staff for granted and therefore seldom think twice about. To date he has continued to conduct area I want to construct a new study of Islam studies based on this conviction. here in Japan, a study that contributes to Being a non-Western country, Japan has an the development of Islamic area studies affinity with the Islamic world. At the same for the 21st century. time, Japanese people have developed their Intellectual curiosity toward unknown affairs— nation by assimilating Western sciences, culture, this has always been Professor Yasushi Kosugi’s and philosophy. Because of this background, driving force in his research activities. From the he believes that Japanese people should hold days of his earliest recollection, he embraced trialogues with people from the Western world an aspiration to go to far-away countries to see and from the Islamic world concerning Islamic the world unknown to him, Professor Kosugi area studies and other subjects. By organizing said. When he enrolled at a university for foreign such trialogues, he believes that Japanese people studies, he selected Arabic as his major primarily can help promote unbiased mutual understanding because the language was unknown to most between the West and the Islamic world. With this Japanese people. in mind, he is striving to construct the Study of In 1975, he began studying Arabic in Egypt Islam for the 21st Century, an academic area that for eight years. It was during this period that benefits the areas studies of the contemporary

9 ESSAY

On Shaky Ground

During the few minutes’ duration of a large earth- researchers have not been able to detect differences quake, the energy released is equivalent to the yearly between the beginnings of small earthquakes that fre- energy use of an industrial country like Japan. So it quently occur and the beginnings of the uncommon is not surprising that powerful earthquakes can cause large earthquakes. This is one reason why we cannot so much damage. To study large natural events, currently predict earthquakes. such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and to Even though earthquake prediction is not possible potentially reduce their destructive effects, are the at present, seismologists and earthquake engineers reasons I began to study seismology. I think it is have made significant progress in understanding fascinating that the tectonic activity of the Earth that seismic events and reducing the resultant damage. builds mountains and creates oceans in over millions For example, the tsunami from the 2011 Tohoku-oki about 820 meters below the seafloor. This was a of years also causes earthquakes that occur in a very earthquake took thousands of lives, but there were large international project using the research ship short amount of time. relatively few people killed from the very intense Chikyu and had ambitious science objectives of mea- When a person first feels the shaking of an ground shaking. This can be attributed, at least partly, suring the frictional level on the fault and obtaining earthquake, he or she becomes quickly alerted and to the advanced engineering standards for buildings a physical sample of the fault-zone. The drilling was anxiously waits to see if the movements soon stop, in Japan. Similar levels of shaking in almost any other also technically very difficult because the water depth indicating a small event, or if the motions continue country would have produced many times the number was about 7000 meters and needed new equipment to grow stronger and develop into a large earthquake of deaths. So countries like Japan have been able and techniques to complete the project. This is a good that can cause great destruction. Seismologists are to reduce the destructive effects of seismic activity. example of using the most modern technology to doing the same but use sensitive instruments close Earth scientists are pursuing many different types obtain important information for earthquake studies. to the epicenter, so they can observe the smallest of geological and geophysical studies to better under- Japan is a land of earthquakes which directly movements at the beginnings of earthquakes. stand the physical processes of large earthquakes. affect all the people in the country. We cannot stop However, similar to the ordinary person that feels For the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake, one of the or control the natural processes that cause seismic an earthquake, seismologists cannot anticipate if most important topics is to understand the huge events but we can improve our understanding of their the earthquake will be a small or large event. This is fault movement that occurred and caused the large mechanisms and effects. Kyoto University leads many because any size earthquake initiates from a small tsunami. The fault displacement was over 50 meters, aspects of this research in seismology and earthquake area. Small earthquakes stop soon while large earth- which is the largest ever observed in an earthquake. engineering. I encourage any interested students to quakes grow to dimensions of hundreds, or possibly Recently, I was involved in a project that drilled an pursue these exciting fields that have direct societal a thousand, kilometers. Despite decades of study, ocean borehole to the fault of the recent earthquake, impact to Japan and the whole world.

“The 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake has imposed a in common with those of the Great Hanshin-Awaji great challenge on us, as seismologists. However, I Earthquake of 1995. For instance, both caused extensive do believe that my research activities will definitely damage, much greater than that normally expected of benefit people and society.” an earthquake of the same seismic intensity. After these Professor James Mori was born to a second- two earthquakes, seismologists shifted the focus of generation Japanese-American couple living in the their research activities from simply surveying natural suburbs of Chicago. His favorite subjects in senior phenomena to predicting damage by earthquakes and high school were physics and biology and he majored proposing risk reduction measures, said Professor Mori. in physics during his undergraduate days. When he was In 1999, he joined the faculty of Kyoto University. a junior student, he participated in a summer program In 2011, the Tohoku-oki earthquake took place. To at Columbia University. At that time, he was fascinated study the mechanisms of the earthquake and tsunami, by a lecture given by a geophysicist. Professor Mori in April 2012, he joined Japan Trench Fast Drilling said that geophysicists can observe what is happening Project (JFAST) as co-chief scientist. JFAST uses the on the earth with their own eyes and that they can fly deep-sea drilling vessel ‘Chikyu’ to reach the fault around the world to conduct research activities. This soon after an oceanic earthquake for the first time. type of life seemed to him very attractive. He then went Professor Mori said, “Rather than the scale of seismic to the graduate school of Columbia University to study intensity, it is more important to predict the impact of faults and seismic mechanisms. an earthquake on people and society. We are studying After completing graduate studies, he began working seismic mechanisms with this purpose.” His strong James Jiro MORI at the Rabaul Volcano Observatory in Papua New resolve to clarify seismic mechanisms is reflected in ・ Born in 1956 Guinea, because he thought “it would be interesting the following words: “To that end, we must always ・ Field of specialization: Seismology to observe the volcano, which was very active.” With embark on new projects.” Back in 1890, his grandfather ・ Completed doctoral degree at Columbia University a smile, he added, “My friends and teachers were walked some 150 km (95 miles) from his hometown ・ Ph.D., Columbia University surprised by my decision.” Three years later, he returned to Yokohama and crossed the ocean to the United ・ Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, to the United States and joined the U.S. Geological States. The strong curiosity and adventurous spirit of Kyoto University Survey (USGS). In 1994, he experienced the Northridge his grandfather have been inherited by Professor Mori, ・ URL http://www.eqh.dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~mori/ Earthquake in California. This earthquake had features who constantly seeks a new research opportunities.

10 INTERVIEW

“I am pleased to be able to engage in cutting-edge research activities in such a favorable environment. I also enjoy promoting mutual understanding between international students and Japanese people.”

Kyoto University annually offers the Kyoto University their present studies will be of any benefit to them. President Awards to students and student organizations Moreover, the Noda Laboratory is distinguished by that have made extraordinary achievements in academic the world’s most advanced research programs and works, extracurricular activities, or social activities. In has cutting-edge equipment. I selected the Noda 2013, the Award was presented to Mr. Yong Liang, a Laboratory in order to engage in innovative research Ph.D. student at the Noda Laboratory, Graduate School activities, although at that time I did not have a specific of Engineering. He was awarded in recognition of the research theme in mind. outcomes of both his research and social activities. What kind of impression did you have of the First, a paper on photonic-crystal lasers in which he Noda Laboratory after you joined it? was a contributor was featured on the journal cover Well, Professor Noda keeps a rigorous approach of Nature Photonics. Second, in recognition of his towards research. We have group meetings every two participating in the program would be helpful to commitment to promoting international friendship, weeks, where we give presentations on our research broaden my perspectives. My tasks as a friendship he was appointed as a Friendship processes. At that time, we can seek advice from ambassador include participating in various events Ambassador. This time, your correspondent had the Professor Noda, but at the same time he asks for to promote international friendship and visiting pleasure of hearing from him about his commitment detailed explanations and raises totally unexpected elementary schools to introduce Chinese culture. to cutting-edge research programs and international questions. Accordingly, we must thoroughly prepare International students from diverse countries also exchange activities. for the presentations; otherwise he would question us gather to hold cooking classes. One such event is Mr. Liang, I heard that you came to Japan rigorously. Professor Noda upholds a steadfast vision the Cooking World Cup for International Students, at upon your graduation from high school in for his research programs, and this is encouraging which I have been awarded for the second consecutive China. Is that right? for us, particularly when we are struggling without year. This academic year, I have been appointed Yes. When I was a high school student, I was gaining any results from our research activities. the chair of the program’s activity committee. I feel fascinated by the precise manufacturing technologies What type of research activities are you truly happy to see international students fostering of Japanese products imported to China. This is why engaged in at the Noda Laboratory? friendships with Japanese people. I began to aspire to study in Japan. A friend of my The 21st century is sometimes called the “Age of Finally, will you tell us any good points of father’s who was in Japan suggested that I should Light.” At our laboratory, we are committed to research Japan from your own point of view? come to Japan before entering a university. He said programs on the theme of optical nanostructures My impression of Japan has changed considerably that by coming to Japan at a younger age, I would (photonic crystals), which enable arbitrary manipulation since coming to Japan and getting to know Japanese be able to learn the more quickly. of photons. Our research programs range from those people. I learned firsthand that Japanese people are Moreover, younger people, who have a flexible mindset, concerning fundamental physics to applied studies. friendly, kind, and polite. We all know that there are can adapt themselves to Japanese society with greater By exploiting the characteristics unique to optical no national borders in science. It is my sincere hope ease, he said. So I came to Japan immediately after nanostructures, we seek to develop innovative optical that through my research and international friendship graduating from high school. technologies to be embodied in various devices that activities, I will be able to help promote international Did you have a specific research target when will benefit society, such as ultrahigh efficiency solar understanding and goodwill, transcending national you came to Japan? cells, multi-functional next-generation laser sources, borders. I wanted to study electrical and electronic and optical buffer memories. technologies and to become an engineer. My initial Do you have any particular research area in plan was to complete the master’s program at a mind you wish to engage in? graduate school and join a Japanese electronics Current printers and projectors basically use manufacturer. However, I was encouraged by a mentor external mirrors to control the emission directions to continue my research activities, and finally decided of semiconductor lasers. If photonic crystals are to advance to the doctoral program. employed in their place, this will enable laser devices What made you decide to study under themselves to control their emission directions. This Professor Susumu Noda? in turn will enable radical downsizing of devices and When I was an undergraduate student, I found lengthening of their products’ lives. This innovative Professor Noda’s class to be extremely interesting. technology will have a broad range of applications. He showed us a simulation of a cutting-edge research By the way, you have been appointed as a program on a PC. It was truly inspiring. Professor Kyoto Prefecture Friendship Ambassador, Noda clearly showed us how our basic studies are haven’t you? Yong LIANG ・ Born in 1984 related to cutting-edge research programs. This is I like meeting and talking with people. I applied ・ Currently Ph.D. student (JSPS research fellow) at the inspiring for students who are not so sure whether for the ambassador program because I thought that Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

11 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Gives a Lecture at Kyoto University April 15, 2013

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson tional affairs and hospital administration, titled “Socio-Political Change in Recent of the National League for Democracy to the guest room. There she met with Burma and Women’s Participation in It.” (NLD) of the Republic of the Union of Kyoto University president, Dr. Hiroshi During the question and answer session Myanmar, visited Kyoto University on Matsumoto. She was also welcomed by which followed the lecture, Daw Aung April 15, 2013 to deliver a lecture. The Professor Akihiko Akamatsu, Executive San Suu Kyi answered questions from lecture was one engagement in her first Vice-President for student affairs and students in her characteristically consci- visit to Japan in twenty-seven years since library services, Professor Toshiyuki entious manner, before being presented she studied at the Center for Southeast Awaji, Executive Vice-President for with a bouquet of flowers as a token of Asian Studies, Kyoto University in 1985 education, Professor Nobuyoshi Esaki, thanks. to 1986. Executive Vice-President for general After the lecture, Daw Aung San Suu Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, an inter- affairs, planning and information infra- Kyi visited the Center for Southeast nationally recognized pro-democracy structure, Professor Noboru Nishisaka, Asian Studies. She was engaged in leader, was awarded the Nobel Peace Executive Vice-President for finance, research on her father, General Aung Prize in 1991 in recognition of her facilities and environmental health and San, who is known as the leading archi- contribution to the nonviolent struggle safety, Professor Kiyoshi Yoshikawa, tect of Burmese independence and “the for democracy and human rights. She Executive Vice-President for research, founder of Union of Burma.” She was was also awarded the United States and Professor Hiromu Shimizu, director welcomed to the center by its director, Congressional Gold Medal in 2008. As of the Center for Southeast Asian Professor Hiromu Shimizu, and its staff a representative in the lower house of the Studies. members. She visited the center’s Aung Burmese House of Representatives, she Moving to the Clock Tower San Suu Kyi Room, which is preserved has been actively involved in negotia- Centennial Hall, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as it was at the time of her studies. There, tions for settlement and democratization was met with great applause from the she enjoyed talking with the center’s with the new government established in assembled Kyoto University students. members, while viewing journals and 2011. President Matsumoto then presented albums from the period, and recalling her Arriving at the main entrance of the her with the first honorary fellowship time there. Her visit to Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall at around in Kyoto University’s history for her concluded with the presentation of 11:00 a.m., Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was outstanding and internationally-recog- a bouquet of flowers by a member of escorted by Professor Michiaki Mishima, nized achievements. Following the the center’s staff and a commemorative Executive Vice-President for interna- award ceremony, she delivered a lecture photo session in the courtyard.

Honorary fellowship award ceremony Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivers her lecture

12 Japan-China Students’ Discussion Forum Held at Kyoto University May 27, 2013

On May 27, 2013, thirty-five Yoshida Campus, the Chinese students After the forum, participants were students selected from six universities received a general introduction to Kyoto invited to a dinner reception, where they in China (, Renmin University and a student-guided campus were joined by Executive Vice-President University of China, China Agricultural tour. Following that, the participants Noboru Nishisaka, Executive Vice- University, Beijing University of Posts divided into six mixed groups covering President Akihiko Akamatsu, and Kyoto and Telecommunications, Beijing Foreign different topics, and discussed their opin- Prefectural Vice-Governor Akimasa Studies University, and the University of ions. The discussion topics were varied: Yamashita. The event provided a good International Business and Economics) from difficulties faced by today’s young opportunity for future intellectual leaders visited Kyoto University to take part generations, such as environmental issues of China and Japan to deepen their mutual in a students’ discussion forum. The and economic globalization, to familiar understanding. event was held as part of the 12th “Get topics such as university to Know Japanese Companies and students’ views on love Experience Japan” project, hosted by and preserving traditional The Japanese Chamber of Commerce culture. The forum was and Industry in China, a Beijing-based brought to a close with each association of Japanese companies. group presenting their ideas This year, the project was co-hosted by in English, Japanese, or Kyoto University’s Organization for the Chinese, with the diversity Promotion of International Relations of the participants’ opin- (OPIR), which recruited forty students ions providing a broad and from Kyoto University to join the forum. sophisticated perspective on Upon arrival at Kyoto University’s the subjects. Group photo in front of the ClockTower Centennial Hall

AUTM Asia 2013 Kyoto March 20—22, 2013

AUTM Asia 2013 Kyoto was held particular focus on the characteristics of other companies provided attendees with at the Kyoto International Conference the Asian region. information regarding business and R&D Center on March 20–22, 2013. The event The first day of the conference activities, and also provided licensing was held by Kyoto University in collabo- began with a welcome address by Dr. opportunities. The conference seminar ration with the University Technology Hiroshi Matsumoto, president of Kyoto featured various professionals engaged Transfer Association (UNITT), and was University. The address was followed by in the commercialization of university made possible through the support of the keynote speeches by Mr. Hideki Niwa, research, and provided an arena for not Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, vice-minister of MEXT; Mr. Keiichi only the speakers and moderators, but Science and Technology (MEXT) of Kawakami, deputy director-general also the attendees, to share their experi- Japan. for Industrial Science and Technology ence and knowledge. The Association of University and Environment of the Ministry Technology Managers (AUTM) is a of Economy, Trade and Industry nonprofit association of university (METI); Mr. Sean P. Flanigan, technology transfer offices, research orga- president of AUTM; Dr. Tadashi nizations, hospitals and companies that Matsunaga, president of UNITT; license from universities, research orga- and Dr. Keisuke Makino, president nizations and hospitals based in the U.S. of AUTM Asia 2013 Kyoto. AUTM Asia is a platform for academic The three-day conference included research institutions, industry, technology eighteen seminar sessions on topics transfer professionals, and entrepreneurs such as venture trends, license nego- to meet and discuss current issues related tiation, and R&D trends. Exhibition to commercializing technology, with a booths operated by law firms and Participants of AUTM Asia 2013 Kyoto

13 For inquiries regarding Raku-Yu, contact: Public Relations Division KYOTO UNIVERSITY Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, URL http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/issue/rakuyu/ E-mail [email protected] Kyoto 606-8501, Japan PDF files of Raku-Yu may be downloaded from the above URL TEL +81 75 753 2072 FAX +81 75 753 2094 円

Maruyama Park: A City Park That Has Long Looked Over Kyoto and Its Residents山 Maruyama Park stretches from Yasaka Shrine to the foot of the Higashiyama Mountains. To visit the Park from Kyoto University Yoshida Campus, go southward along the Higashi-Oji Avenue for 2.5 kilometers. Constructed in 1886 as the first city park in Kyoto, the Park has many historic sites associated with the Meiji Restoration (1868) in its premises of 86,641公 square meters, and is nationally designated as a historic site and place of scenic beauty. Along the Park’s eastern border on the foot of the Higashiyama Mountains, many prestigious Japanese-style restaurants stand amid deep greenery. Although the Park attracts tourists throughout the year, it is particularly well known for its cherry blossom. In the early spring, tourists園 from Japan and abroad enjoy viewing hundreds of cherry trees in full bloom. In particular, a tall weeping cherry tree standing in the central section is regarded as a symbol of the Park. After the opening of the Park, it was expanded twice. In 1912 the layout was redesigned by Goichi Takeda (1872 - 1938), a leading architect of modern Japan. He founded the Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto Imperial University, and designed many structures of the university, including the main hall of the depart- ment (1922) and the Clock Tower (1925). The present Maruyama Park features a Japanese-style garden with a pond and a path around it. Based on Takeda’s grand design, this garden was created by Jihei Ogawa, a celebrated garden designer. To the south of Maruyama Park, there is an outdoor concert hall (Kyoto City Maruyama Park Concert Hall) with 3,000 seats. Between 1973 and 2011, a folk song festival known as Yoi-yoiyama Concert* was held there 30 times on July 15. The concerts held in the hall were regarded as symbolic events of the folk song boom, which was influenced by the surge of grassroots civil movements. Today, the music hall continues to serve residents of Kyoto as an indispensable venue of various grassroots events. In autumn, the Park commands beautiful views of the Higashiyama Mountains covered by bright red maple foliage. There visitors can appreciate a deep-autumnal atmosphere while viewing crimson maples and sipping hot powdered green tea. *The annual Gion Festival eve (July 16) is called yoiyama, so the concert, held on July 15 or the day before the festival eve, is called yoi-yoiyama. The Park and its vicinity offer an ideal strolling course in autumn, since the Park and many nearby temples, including Kodaiji Temple and Shoren-in Temple, are well known for the beauty of crimson foliage.

This photo shows a scene from the event “Outdoor Museum for Children, in Maruyama,” held at Maruyama Park Concert Hall on May 5, 2013, by the .

Goichi Takeda, known as the father of architecture in the , was befriended by Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition to designing the National Diet Building and many other renowned buildings, he was involved in the restoration of ancient structures.

This bridge, crossing The weeping cherry tree in the center of the Park is commonly known as Hyotan Pond in the Gion no yozakura (night cherry blossom in Gion). The 12-meter-tall tree center of the Park, was has a trunk of 2.8 meters in circumference. designed by Takeda.