ISSN 2186-1714
Tracing Back the Development of Kagoshima City KAGOSHIMA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER 鹿児島の都市づくりの軌跡をたどる Professor Kikata Junne, Graduate School of Science and Engineering
Exploring Kagoshima is not only a beautiful picturesque Kagoshima city but also an important centre of historical change. With its many historical sites and cultural assets, it attracts many tourists each year. However even though Kagoshima is an old castle town, the layout of the city we see today was developed with modern urban planning, which is highlighted through a history of reconstruction from disasters and war destruction. The history of Kagoshima’s modern urban planning can be traced back to the City Planning Act of 1923. In April 1933 a city park Map for the city’s redevelopment after the war plan was quickly drawn up, however at this time there were no official government guidelines for park planning. So the Kagoshima Regional Committee came up with their own original policy and plan that established the importance of small downtown city parks. The head of the committee explained that Kagoshima is already a city within a natural environment of mountains Small, leafy park in the city and seas and rather than having larger parks in reconstruction can be contributed to the the suburbs, smaller downtown parks were efforts of the engineer, Kajiyama Asajiro-, who needed as areas where children could play. had played an active role in the Korean The realisation of this planning strategy is Peninsula before and during the war. Kajiyama demonstrated by the several small parks that was a civil engineer who specialised in water surround the university. supply and whose talents saw him appointed The current city framework, in which as section chief of city planning in Keijo- Kagoshima-Chu-o- Station functions as a Prefecture (modern day Seoul) where he gateway, came about as part of the city gained extensive experience in land reconstruction plan after the end of the Pacific readjustment projects. After the war he War. Kagoshima was the first city in the returned to his hometown of Ishiki, country to start implementing this post-war Kagoshima, and contributed greatly to the 学部紹介特集 reconstruction plan, and accomplished it reconstruction of Kagoshima City. without any of the problems that impeded Kagoshima City also has many important Special Issue implementation of similar plans in other city urban assets, including the vital tram network centres such as Tokyo, due to the that connects the suburbs of Taniyama with Joint Faculty of scaling-down of such reconstruction projects downtown. Those assets were developed by in 1949. Much of the success in the city’s the urban planners who, with the power of ＊Front Cover foresight, seized a golden opportunity to Veterinary transform the city after destruction. Kagoshima provides us with an exemplary case to learn Medicine about urban planning and city reconstruction. I believe these topics will become increasingly Students on important in a post-disaster society, as we veterinary training must know more about the city at our feet and how those who experienced great disasters rose up from the ashes.
Kikata Junne Autumn Born 1968 in Gifu Prefecture. Received master’s degree in March of 1994 from Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts, specializ- 2 0 1 5 ing in architecture. Doctor of engineering. Major field construction and Autumn urban planning. Published several books
KAGOSHIMA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER 201 5 KAGOSHIMA UNIVERSITY Special Issue CONTENTS
Special Issue Welcome to the
S G O H I A M KAGOSHIMA K A Welcome to the Joint Faculty of UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER
No.10 Y Joint Faculty of
T I Veterinary Medicine S R E Published by U N I V Kagoshima University Center Veterinary Medicine Mochizuki Masami, Dean for International Planning 1 1-21-24, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan email: [email protected] Among the 16 veterinary schools in Japan, Kagoshima lectures are performed using real-time bidirectional Campus Walk Around University exists in the best geographical area for remote instruction technology, which allows for the use Board Editor Equine Medical Centre veterinary education. The school is located in the of both universities’ advantages, thus giving students a Miura Naoki centre of Kagoshima City with a population of more highly specialised education. Furthermore, the faculty Editor in Chief 9 than 600,000, and surrounded by an eminent has been pursuing the international standards of Steve Cother stock-raising zone. Therefore, there are plenty of veterinary education by working towards EAEVE companion and livestock animals available for (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Managing Editor Discover KU Kobayashi Hisako education and clinical training. Seventy five years have Education) approval along with Hokkaido University Discovery that Japanese Sea Catfish passed since veterinary education began at Kagoshima and Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Contributing Editors Locate Live Prey through pH University, and this nurturing educational environment Medicine. Matsuki Shigeru along with years of assiduous efforts have brought We believe that the Joint Faculty of Veterinary Nakatani Sumie Sensing about the programme’s current success. Medicine is one of the more unique faculties of Translations 10 In April 2012, Kagoshima Kagoshima University. Our basic idea of what Matthew Watson University established the first veterinary education ought to be consists of pursuing Page 2-5,7,9-13,16-17,and Back Cover *All other translation done by the joint courses of veterinary animal life science, conducting scientific research into Extracurricular Activity editorial team and contributors medicine with Yamaguchi environments and societies where humans and animals
Proofreading Shōgi Club University as a partner. The coexist, learning to respect life through animal Varun Shetty Yasunaga Tomoki, President, most distinctive feature of bioethics, and contributing to the creation of an BSc student, Faculty of Agriculture this programme is that abundant global society. Under this principle, along Design & Printing 12 Shin Design students at both universities with our educational objectives, admission, curriculum Fuchigami Printing take the same subjects and diploma policies, we promise that we will make according to the same syllabus the best effort to provide veterinary education that KUToday is a biannual publication to 国 際 International Network and class schedule. Parts of the meets global standards. present information about Personal Growth through Kagoshima University to a wider 交 流 international audience. Each edition Overseas Study will feature one faculty for prospective overseas students as well 13 Educational Programme as other topics such as educational programmes, research and alumni information. Some articles are International Programme The joint faculty is a collaborative veterinary translations from the グローバル Special Course in Japanese-language publication, educational programme that was established by Kadai Journal, upon which KUToday GL B人材A育L成 International Food and Kagoshima University and Yamaguchi University in is loosely based. Any comments or Resource Sciences 2012. The first of its kind in Japan, it builds on the suggestions about KUToday will be strengths of both universities to provide equal warmly received. 14 educational and research opportunities to the students
PDF files on KUToday can be at either institution. downloaded from The efforts and strengths of the two universities— http://kokusai.kuas.kagoshima-u.ac. Advanced Livestock Medicine at Kagoshima, and Public jp/kucip/ Faces and Snapshots Health Science at Yamaguchi—are the basis for our
A Note on Names international level veterinary programme, designed to Following convention East Asian 16 prepare students to meet diversified social needs names appearing in KU Today are through a multidisciplinary education built upon three written family name followed by core focuses in veterinary medicine. sessions utilise a real-time, bidirectional remote given name. Exploring Kagoshima The primary distinguishing characteristic of our instruction system that has been installed at both Tracing Back the Development of programme is the fact that students at both universities universities. Faculty members and students also travel take the same educational courses under the same between the two campuses to participate in lectures Autumn Kagoshima City 2 0 1 5 Professor Kikata Junne, Graduate School of Science and Engineering syllabus and schedule. Lectures and practical study and practical study sessions. 18
KU Today 1 Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Special Issue
Three courses in Veterinary Medicine Clinical Veterinary Science In the Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, first-year students take general courses and basic courses and review their This course includes study into disease prevention in training for the students. For those who have graduated, knowledge in the foundation of veterinary medicine. domestic animals and ways to increase their we have regular seminars for professional vets from the From their second year to their fifth year, students take uniform courses, which comprise the core of their productivity and mobility, along with a look at the local area, as well as a programme for interns at the specialised education, in order to master the knowledge and skills they will need as veterinarians. Uniform courses diagnosis and treatment of all sorts of diseases that veterinary hospital. consist of basic veterinary courses, applied veterinary courses, and clinical veterinary courses. From their fourth to affect domestic and wild animals through research into sixth years, students take more evolved specialised courses, selected from Animal Life Science, Disease Control, pathophysiology, molecular biology, regenerative Companion Animal Clinical Veterinary Medicine, and Farm Animal Clinical Veterinary Medicine. medicine etc. Using our newly-created curriculum, students carry out more detailed work on pathology, diagnostics and Year 2 – Year 5 basics treatment for domestic and farm animals on site within Year 4 – Year 6 specialisation Year 1 PhD the faculty’s veterinary teaching hospital. Kagoshima Prefecture not only provides a good place for clinical Basic Veterinary Science course education for companion animals in the city, but also general basic veterinary 4 year for farm animals in the surrounding countryside and Pathogenic and Preventive Veterinary Science course education education and training programme allows the faculty to contribute significantly to society. The faculty’s Equine Medical Centre, the only such Clinical Veterinary Science course university based equine specialised medical facility in Fig. Programme Overview Japan, provides substantial education and hands-on
Basic Veterinary Science Pathogenetic and Preventive Veterinary Basic Veterinary Science is dedicated to research and Science education in basic biology, which forms the foundation This course educates students on pathogens such as for every aspect of clinical medicine and life science. viruses, bacteria, protozoa, parasites, arthropods etc. The course covers a wide range of interests in anatomy, and looks at health studies from both the animal and physiology, behavioral biology, and drug action the human points of view. It includes technical training mechanisms in companion and laboratory animals, regarding: veterinary microbiology, zoonosis, avian both small and large, and exploit macroscopic, diseases, fish diseases, parasitology, toxicology, molecular, and genetic approaches to better understand immunology, veterinary pathology, animal hygiene, the life phenomena of animals. veterinary sanitation, food hygiene, food science, environmental hygienics and veterinary epidemiology. Research focuses on the analyses of animal pathogens. The faculty’s Transboundary Animal Diseases Research A surgery truck equipped with a mobile operating room - Centre is also active in the research carried out. makes it possible to perform surgery on livestock animals. The only one in Japan is owned by Kagoshima University. Ongoing surgery in the truck
PhD in Veterinary Science
The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science at Yamaguchi University, is a four-year PhD programme hosted by Kagoshima University, Yamaguchi University’s Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine as well as Tottori University’s Faculty of Agriculture’s School of Veterinary Medicine and their Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Students belong to one of three major courses and earn a doctorate in veterinary medicine. After being assigned to their primary advisor’s university, students receive research guidance such as special lectures, special seminars, special lab sessions, common seminars, and the authoring of their thesis.
2 KU Today KU Today 3 Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Special Issue
Research Topics
Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Centre Infectious Diseases
Dr. Tanaka Tetsuya, Associate Professor Transboundary Animal Diseases combat global outbreaks, the centre was established in (TAD) refer to those diseases 2011. Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods related to spiders that international organizations, and scorpions that parasitise humans and animals such as the Food and Principle Research worldwide. Similar to mosquitoes, they can transmit a Agriculture Organization of the The TAD centre conducts in-depth research into the wide variety of diseases. The aim of the studies in our United Nations and the World nature, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of laboratory is to understand the different aspects of tick Organisation for Animal Health, several viruses including influenza, foot-and-mouth, biology, particularly of the hard tick Haemaphysalis define as highly contagious, classical swine fever and rabies. longicornis, and their interaction with the different •Gene functional studies through RNA interference having the potential for very infectious agents that they may transmit, such as (RNAi). rapid spread irrespective of Advanced Containment Laboratory viruses, bacteria and protozoan parasites. Deep •Molecular studies on the interaction of ticks with national borders, causing The advanced containment laboratory is a biosafety understanding of ticks and the microorganisms they infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria and serious socio-economic and level 3 (BSL) enclosed laboratory facility constructed in transmit is important in controlling tick infestation and protozoan parasites. possibly public health April 2014 using subsidies provided by the national the spread of diseases. •Metagenomic analysis of tick microbiome. consequences and that require university reform scheme. This laboratory allows for •Identification of potential tick antigens that can be global cooperation to suppress. Examples of such advanced research to be carried out on volatile viruses, Key Research Themes: targeted for tick and/or pathogen control. diseases include avian influenza, foot-and-mouth, such as the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and •Identification of different tick molecules that are •Molecular detection of infectious agents from ticks classical swine fever, African swine fever and rabies, that could not be conducted in conventional crucial to tick physiology and immunity. collected in the field. rinderpest. Particularly since 2011, with several global facilities. The laboratory contributed to the provision of and domestics outbreaks of avian flu and a definitive diagnosis during an outbreak of avian foot-and-mouth, there has been a great need for influenza amongst the wild bird population in education and disease control. Spurred by this need to Kagoshima Prefecture in winter 2014/15. Functional Nutrients
Dr. Kanouchi Hiroaki, Associate Professor
My research focuses on functional foods. Functional Veterinary Teaching Hospital foods are important sources in the prevention, management and treatment of chronic diseases in the modern age. For example vitamin B6 is required for As an educational facility that is affiliated with the Joint amino acid metabolism in living organisms; however that vinegar had suppressed the accumulation. To Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Veterinary Teaching could it also be considered a viable treatment for understand exactly what effect the black vinegar was Hospital is dedicated to educating future veterinarians. illnesses? As a result of this thinking, it has been having, we used DNA microarray to identify the gene By serving as a key regional animal treatment facility discovered that vitamin B6 is effective against breast change within the brain. Although the gene that was that conducts research into animal diagnosis and and colon cancer. However the mechanisms behind the related to cognitive function was not found, it became treatment, it is also open to the surrounding community. reasons why B6 is effective for fighting cancer are still clear that many of the genes within the affected mice Currently, the hospital treats farm and companion being researched. taking black vinegar has changed to resemble those of a animals, with services for the former including an Recently, along a similar line to vitamin B6, there healthy mouse. There is an implication that the black artificial insemination clinic for livestock. Treatment of has been a lot of attention paid to pot brewed black vinegar intake contributes to the genes reverting back to companion animals is offered by departments of rice vinegar. Black vinegar is a traditional Japanese a younger healthier state. It was also discovered that the general practice, internal medicine, infectious disease, product produced using handmade methods and its intake of black vinegar induced HSP70, the gene oncology, neurology, urology, soft tissue surgery, nitrogen content is far higher than that of normal grain responsible for the suppression of the accumulation of orthopedics, and genetic examination. The facility also vinegar. The components that house the nitrogen are insoluble protein. It has been shown in animal tests that provides a full range of medical care for horses through primarily composed of amino acids; however what a direct dose of the HSP70 gene has led to subject the Equine Medical Centre, which opened in 2008. As those components are exactly has yet to be understood. improvement, so we believe that there is the possibility part of its mission, the hospital also provides Animal trials have shown that black vinegar has several that the intake of black vinegar follows a similar opportunities for veterinarians to study clinical health benefits and is effective in combatting high process. We have the hope that one day black vinegar, veterinary medicine through the examination of blood pressure, cancer and diabetes. Therefore my with its differing mechanism of action from the readily animals. research group thought that it may also be effective in used donepezil, will serve as a new preventative treating the progress of dementia and so tested this medicine for dementia. We hope to push forward with hypothesis using laboratory mice. The experiment the verification of black vinegar’s usefulness against involved giving mice suffering early stage dementia dementia in both humans and companion animals. doses of black vinegar, and the results showed the I have talked about black vinegar as a functional vinegar suppressed the decline in cognitive function food, but there is a vast variety of foods in Asia that may within the mice. Mice suffering from dementia have unknown medical properties. I wish to continue displayed an accumulation of insoluble proteins in the research in this area and use what I learn to contribute Right: Performing a CT scan on a horse brain, but results from the experimental group showed to the lives of both people and animals.
4 KU Today KU Today 5 Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Special Issue
Research Topics International Exchange
Genetic Diseases and Disorders in Animals An Interview with Dr. Miura Naoki, Associate Professor and
Dr. Yamato Osamu, Professor Head of the International Exchange Committee
My laboratory (Clinical Pathology) is a very unique routinely introduced to my laboratory from laboratory studying a variety of genetic disorders and veterinarians across Japan and also from abroad. The Is the globalisation of veterinary medicine necessary? agreements with many universities around the world. traits in domestic and wild animals using both clinical laboratory staff is investigating several issues on a Very, whether it be for education or for research. and molecular techniques. There are all kinds of variety of diseases and disorders. Therefore, I need more Country borders mean nothing to diseases like What is the aim of these academic exchange disorders and traits studied here, especially lysosomal staff and students to help work on this very interesting influenza and foot-in-mouth. In veterinary medicine, agreements? storage diseases (e.g. gangliosidosis, research. I sincerely hope that young research fellows infectious disease diagnosis, shared data, genome Firstly, student exchange. I myself have spent roughly mucopolysaccharidosis, and neuronal ceroid will join me in my work. comparative analysis and many other areas of research five years overseas on exchange in the United States lipofuscinosis), inherited neurodegenerative disorders, require international cooperation. and on other study trips around the world, so I know other inborn errors in metabolism, erythrocyte the joy of learning from other cultures, which I believe enzymopathies, pharmacogenetic traits associated with What role does globalisation play in veterinary to be the most important part of globalisation. I believe drug intoxication, and inherited eye diseases. As a education? students returning home from their studies in Japan will representative example, the following figure shows MEXT has selected us as one of four veterinary schools contribute greatly to the development of new teaching several research aspects regarding GM1 gangliosidosis in Japan to start preparing for international certification staff in their own countries. Furthermore, many of our in Shiba Inu dogs. I first identified this canine disease in from the European Association of Establishments for young researchers are now involved in some very 2000 and since then have clarified its clinical, Veterinary Education (EAEVE), which requires several interesting and beneficial collaborative research clinico-pathological, pathological, biochemical, and years of educational reform. projects. molecular characteristics. I have also developed several diagnostic methods and identified biochemical and What is international certification in education? What would you say to anyone thinking of studying in MRI biomarkers to estimate the disease’s progression. One of the biggest problems we face is contending with Kagoshima? Now, studies on its prevention and novel therapeutic the problem of transboundary animal diseases. Presently, Kagoshima is full of many warm-hearted people that methods are being undertaken. the EAEVE initiative ensures a guaranteed standard for reflect the good old-fashioned values of Japan. The Joint Many samples and information on animals affected Clinical, clinico-pathologic, MRI, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and veterinary education in European countries. It is important Faculty of Veterinary Medicine may be the newest or suspected with genetic diseases and disorders are molecular characteristics of GM1 gangliosidosis in Shiba Inu dogs for Japan to follow a similar process so our veterinarians faculty within the university; however we are can participate at a global level. committed in our desire to make it a global department. From molecular biology to basic fieldwork, you can Improving Athletic Performance in Horses What are some of the globalisation programmes within experience all of biology. We hope to see many more the faculty? international students in the future. Dr. Misumi Kazuhiro, Professor The joint faculty was only established three years ago; however we already have academic exchange Multipotency of equine mesenchymal Diagnostic colour doppler ultrasonography of stem cells equine superficial digital flexor tendon Cartilage regeneration with cell therapy following Interest in colour doppler (CD) ultrasonography has arthroscopic surgery could be used in racehorses with recently spread to the determination of micro blood student Remil Linggatong Galay (Philippines) intra-articular fractures (IAF) and osteochondritis flow in the locomotive system. In horses with chronic voice PhD student dissecans (OCD). The aims of this study were to tendinopathy, CD ultrasonography was useful as a investigate the origin and multipotency of stromal cells diagnostic tool for intratendinous hyperaemia and in the synovial fluid (SF) and synovium (SM) of horses short-term outcomes. We hypothesize that It was the great interest and high enthusiasm for with intra-articular injury and synovitis, and to provide semi-quantitative determination of neovasculization by parasitology that I have had since I was an a new strategy for regeneration of lost articular using CD images could be a helpful procedure to undergraduate veterinary student that made me pursue cartilage. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) were diagnose not only the time course of ruptured tendon it when I was blessed with the opportunity of PhD study isolated from SF and SM of horses with IAF and OCD. bundles but also the cumulative micro-injuries prior to in Japan. I really had no particular university in mind by The stem cells were positive for CD44, CD90 and the macroscopic injuries. We reported the the time I applied for the Japanese government major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, and histopathology of chronic tendonitis that the vessels scholarship, but I preferred that it should be located differentiated into osteogenic, chondrogenic, were increased in the tendon bundles. And we where the winter is not too long (coming from the adipogenic and tenogenic lineages. Chondrogenic evaluated blood flows appearing in tendons of young tropical Philippines, I am not used to very cold When I feel too stressed, I find ways to relieve it by induction in culture resulted in a change in cell shape Thoroughbreds with no tendon rupture before. Blood temperatures), and in a city that is not that developed doing things that I enjoy like cooking, running and to a ‘stone-wall’ appearance and the formation of a flows were in 6.4% of the whole CD images. The but also not too rural. As it happened, I found a hanging out with friends. Aside from the struggles in gelatinous sheet that was intensely stained with Alcian increased blood flows could be associated with the laboratory at Kagoshima University that mainly works research, as a foreign student I also had to cope with blue. SF may be a novel source of multipotent MSCs increase of the exercise intensity during a training on ticks and tick-borne parasites. life in a different country. At first, I had to adjust to the with the ability to regenerate chondrocytes. We have a period. Because no macroscopic injury was diagnosed My research is related to tick iron metabolism difference in culture and way of living, but it did not plan to implant the stem cells into the ostechondral by the following grey scale ultrasonography, the blood employing genetic manipulation, with an end goal of take me that long. Kagoshima is really a nice city for defects under the arthroscopy in racehorses. flows in the training period could not be predictive of controlling ticks through vaccination. Research work me to be at home in – well, except for the ash! Of the future tendonitis once the animals had become has not been easy, of course; it requirs a lot of hard many cities in Japan that I’ve been to during my almost racehorses. work, perseverance, determination and discipline. five years, I still prefer living in Kagoshima.
6 KU Today KU Today 7 Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Special Issue Campus Walk Around
student Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha (Vietnam) voice PhD student
I had dreamt of becoming a teacher since I was small. It was lucky that I got a chance to become a university teacher in my home country, Vietnam. However, to become an official teacher, I need a PhD degree. In addition, I also need to improve my knowledge to perform my job well. My seniors told me that it would be better if I accomplished my PhD course abroad, because it would help to improve not only my professional knowledge but also my personality. They told me that the experiences of living in a foreign land theme, I decided to move to Kagoshima to undertake people help to become more independent, more my PhD. sociable and also more international. In order to study Life in Kagoshima is similar to that in Okinawa: I abroad, it is much better if we have a scholarship, can experience a typical countryside life-style. People because without financial anxiety and spending time here are nice and friendly. Due to studying, I have not doing part-time jobs, we certainly can focus more on spent much of time to discover the landscapes and the the studying. cultures of Kagoshima, so I am not able to talk much I had known about the Japanese government about that. I am now thinking that after graduation, scholarship from friends, and was lucky to have been before going back to my home country, I will spend at selected. Therefore, I came to Japan as a graduate least several months to understand Kagoshima, the land student. After finishing my master’s in Okinawa, I that I can consider as my second home town, because I wanted to do my PhD on a veterinary pharmacology have experienced many beautiful things here. As I had subject, which is similar to my specialisation in expected, I have improved both my knowledge and my Equine Medical Centre Vietnam. I was interested in medicinal plants, so after personality here. I think I have become stronger, more Southern Kyūshū has a long tradition of breeding both mending broken bones, is kept sterile through finding out that the pharmacology department in independent and more sociable. These are the bonuses race and work horses, and with its warm climate it is specialised air filters and the air flow and pressure is Veterinary faculty here also performs this research I value besides the good education I have received. also a well-known equine recuperation venue. strictly monitored. There is also another operating However, the area lacked a specialised equine medical theatre for open surgery and other invasive procedures. facility which could provide advanced medical care The centre undertakes around 30 surgical when needed. In order to rectify this problem the procedures a year as well as over 100 other diagnoses student Equine Medical Centre was initially established by the and treatments, and this number is constantly rising. It voice Lai Yu-Chang (Taiwan) PhD student Japan Bloodhorse Breeding Association as part of a has also carried out positive work on new treatment Japan Racing Association development project with methods for the rehabilitation of movement in injured financial backing from the Japan Racing and Livestock muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. Also since the I am from Taiwan and graduated from the Department Promotion Foundation. After construction of the centre end of 2011, a specially-equipped vehicle has been of Veterinary Medicine at National Chung Hsing finished in December 2008, the Bloodhorse Breeding commissioned allowing for examinations and University in 2011. We have a summer exchange Association donated the centre to Kagoshima treatments to be carried out away from the university. student programme with various veterinary universities University with medical services beginning from April The Equine Medical Centre is the only such in Japan. I was the one of the exchange students to of the following year. Veterinary professor, Misumi university-based equine medical facility in all of Japan. Kagoshima University in 2010. It was a nice experience Kazuhiro, is the head of the centre and is one of only It continues to be a place of learning and research for to study and practice my clinical skills in the veterinary two equine specialised vets in all of Japan’s veterinary those young people wishing to become equine teaching hospital here. I was also impressed by the universities. The first floor of the centre is equipped for veterinarians and those who have already graduated cutting-edge equipment, sympathetic working equine medical treatment and operations. The theatre and are working in the field. atmosphere and friendly Japanese students, veterinary for carrying out orthopedic operations, such as technicians and professors. My one month exchange student life was pretty short but fulfilling, and these are convenient. However, as opposed to the incredibly the reasons why I decided to choose Kagoshima crowded and busy cities found elsewhere in Japan, the University as the starting point for more extensive pace of life in Kagoshima can reduce your research. I major in molecular biology, especially the research/study stress. The onsen hot springs are also a relationship between the milk produced by mastitic good way to eliminate fatigue caused by study. There (breast inflammation) cows and microRNA. I also focus are a lot of onsen in Kagoshima, even some in walking on the study of dog liver cancer and microRNA. distance of the university. This is a place not only for I would recommend foreign students to study at your short term study abroad but also for the creation of Kagoshima University. The university is located in your lifelong memories. Kagoshima City, which makes student life easier and Operating theatre with positive Anaesthetic induction room The Equine Medical pressure ventilation Centre building
8 KU Today KU Today 9 Discover KU
Discovery that Japanese Sea Catfish Locate Live Prey through pH Sensing
Dr. Kiyohara Sadao specilises in researching the taste systems of fish. In June 2014, after 30 350 80
years of continuous research into the taste mechanisms of the Japanese sea catfish, he 300 70 Time in sec Time in sec discovered that they locate their prey through a highly sensitive pH sensing system. 60 250 50 200 Since 1984, Dr. Kiyohara Sadao (Executive Director for amino acids, Professors Caprio and Harada discovered 40 Education, former Dean of Faculty of Science) has that they were not only reacting to the amino acids but 150 30 conducted continuous research into the taste also had the ability to sense local pH-associated 100 system/receptors of the Japanese sea catfish, Plotosus increases in H+/CO2 equating to a decrease of ≤0.1 pH 20 japonicus, which, like other catfish, are covered head unit in ambient seawater. They also found that this 50 10 to tail in taste receptors and are often called ‘a sensitivity is maximal at the natural pH of seawater (pH 0 0 swimming tongue’. Director Kiyohara stated, “When 8.1 to 8.2) and decreases dramatically in seawater with U-tube intact U-tube seawater lower seawater worm 1 pH 2 you dissect the brain of a sea catfish and see the large a pH <8.0. seawater taste centre in the medulla, you come to understand At that time, Dr. Kiyohara, along with Shimohara Difference in time spent by catfish in part of aquarium just how highly developed its sense of taste is. So with Mami, a 1st year postgraduate student, started a with/without worm, with/without lower pH seawater support from the Japan Society for the Promotion of behavioral study using polychaete worms as bait. This Science and the American National Science was aimed at trying to prove the hypothesis that a Foundation, I partnered with Dr. John Caprio from function of the highly sensitive H+/CO2 system of the Louisiana State University, who was studying the taste catfish is to detect these prey items. The experiments receptors of fresh water catfish, and began my saw four catfish being placed in separate aquariums. A research”. Professor Harada Shu-itsu from the Graduate glass U tube either empty or containing a live worm, School of Medical and Dental Sciences also was placed within each aquarium and covered with participated in this study. Dr. Kiyohara focused on the netting to prevent ingestion of the worm by the fish. morphological analysis of the primary centre of taste, The results indicated that the catfish spent significantly while Professors Caprio and Harada focused on the more time within the designated partition of the tank response of the countless nerve endings that are present containing the U tube with the worm than in the part of on the facial whiskers. This was a study into the taste the tank with the U tube that lacked the worm. A Catfish biting the end of the Japanese sea catfish system of just one fish; however such a multifaceted further experiment was conducted by replacing the U-tube containing a worm comprehensive study had never before been performed. worm with a pipe that fed in water with a lower pH and met with the same results. The fish were even seen to Sea catfish locate live prey through pH frequently bite the end of the U tube. Dr. Kiyohara Sadao sensing pH sensing system could be universal T.V broadcasts all over the world and has had quite an Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1949. Received his doctorate from the During their research into the sea catfish’s response to impact. Presently more and more CO2 is being released Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences and School of Director Kiyohara stated “the results of into the atmosphere, which then enters the oceans and Agricultural Sciences Nagoya University, specialising in animal these experiments made it clear that the leads to acidification. Dr. Kiyohara points out that if this husbandry in 1976. May 1976 – March 78, researcher at Florida State University. April 1978, entered Kagoshima as a lecturer in sea catfish has the ability to sense local continues, it will seriously impact fish that rely on pH the general education department. Became professor in 1991. drops in pH level during its hunt for sensitivity systems to find prey. Moved to the Faculty of Science in 1997. Appointed dean of the lower pH seawater or control seawater prey, where they use this pH sense at From now on, the team will continue their research Faculty of Science in 2007. Became Executive Director of short range to pinpoint nearby prey and try to establish if these sense systems are present in Education in 2013. Specialises in sensory physiology, U-tube U-tube lower pH through their breathing and at long other marine creatures, whether or not this is a neuroanatomy, and fish physiology. Member of the Japanese worm seawater Society of Fisheries Science, the Japanese Association for the range their amino acid sensitivity universal feature. In particular, Dr. Kiyohara would like Study of Taste and Smell, the Japanese Society for Comparative control system. The verification of a fish species to find out whether the Manybar goatfish, Parupeneus Physiology and Biochemistry, the Zoological Society of Japan and sea catfish seawater using this pH sense to hunt is a first”. multifasciatus, has this system or not. “Results only the Association for Chemoreception Science. Recipient of the pump The team’s results were published in come from continuous research. I have conducted my Japanese Association for the Study of Taste and Smell Nakanishi the prominent American science studies at the university for 30 years and I plan to Award at their 5th annual convention in 1989 and the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science Encouragement Award in 1990. journal, Science. It was also featured in continue to uncover more about the taste systems of Experiment on sea catfish using lower pH seawater and polychaete worm scientific magazines, newspapers and fish.”
10 KU Today KU Today 11 Extracurricular Activity International Network
国 際 Personal Growth through Overseas Study Each year students from Kagoshima University study at one of the many universities around the 交 流 world that have exchange agreements with us. Seven students, who have just returned from these exchanges, describe their experiences and future ambitions.
Nagashima Kana (Education) – Gangneung-Wonju National University, Korea Yamamoto Hayato (Law, Economics and Humanities) – Tamkang University, Taiwan Komori Kenta (Agriculture) – Kasesart University, Thailand Ushikai Yo-suke (Agriculture) – University of Georgia, USA Maehara Miki (Law, Economics and Humanities) – Tamkang University, Taiwan Iwamatsu Ayasa (Law, Economics and Humanities) – University of Munich, Germany Yamashita Marika (Law, Economics and Humanities) – Linköping University, Sweden (from left to right)
1. Meeting New People & A Change of Values a real concern that there are not enough interactions Students who choose to travel abroad to study will find between Japanese and international students. Shōgi Club a new world of people, language, culture and a new To address this problem, Kenta has joined an way of life waiting for them. When asked about the best international exchange club at the university that, Yasunaga Tomoki, President, part about these experiences some of the students had together with similar clubs from other universities in the BSc student, Faculty of Agriculture this to say. Hayato answers, “It allowed me to form a city, has begun to hold events involving foreign students strong tie between myself and Taiwan.” Yo-suke replies “I and local students to expand international relations was able to make many great friends.” Ayasa says, “I throughout Kagoshima. Yo-suke, after returning home, - - O ur shogi club has existed at Kagoshima University moves and the ‘composed shogi problem’. Through was able to reconfirm my love for Kagoshima and connected those American students who were for over 40 years and presently consists of a small this we strive to improve our playing skills. country, but also learnt about international problems interested in Kagoshima and its culture with students number of very active members. Additionally our members also compete in a involving Japan.” Marika seems to have a really positive from Kagoshima University, so that they could both - Firstly, what is shogi ? It is a traditional Japanese tournament consisting of players from universities point of view, “Whether it was a chance to try broaden their international horizons. International board game that is estimated to have over six million throughout Kyushu that is held four times a year. While something new or some problem I had to deal with, I exchange at the university can continue in many forms, active players. Sho-gi is thought to have originated from sho-gi is a one on one battle, at a university level there treated each experience as a chance to grow as a such as the plan to for international dormitories where the ancient Indian strategy game chaturanga. It are two different styles, team competitions or personal person.” foreign and Japanese students can live together and believed that chaturanga was invented by a high priest matches. Team competitions have each university classes taught in English, which all serve as great paths of a war-loving Indian king as a way of satisfying the submitting 3 -7 players to play in concurrent matches 2. Showing the World the Best Kagoshima has to toward improved study and international outlook. ruler’s constant bloodlust. Chaturanga is also believed with a final team score that decides the victorious side. Offer to be the common ancestor of many other board This type of competition is good at a university level Kagoshima is not known internationally, so when 4. Next Step: Improving Yourself & Introducing games including Western chess, Chinese xianqi, because it relies on solidarity and teamwork between Kagoshima people are asked what they want the rest of Kagoshima to the World Korean janngi and Thai makruck. So in essence sho-gi club members. The most recent tournament in spring the world to know about their home, they answer When asked about their next step in life: Marika would and chess are like brothers. However sho-gi does have unfortunately saw us in fifth place, however all “volcanoes, hot springs, sho-chu-, the sea, fish and the like to get to know many different people outside of her some distinguishing features. Firstly, the only difference members are now working hard with our eyes set on a people.” Kenta told people in Thailand about the laid major studies, in order to expand her knowledge. Ayasa between friendly and enemy pieces is the direction higher ranking at the next competition. back nature of life in Kagoshima. Kana’s Korean friend plans to carry on with German language studies, with they face on the board, unlike these other games which In the game of sho-gi, we believe that abiding by said that Kagoshima is a relaxing and easy to live in. the goal of becoming an interpreter. Miki has decided use colour to differentiate sides. In sho-gi, the pieces on proper etiquette it just as important as skill. Proper Kagoshima people hold their hometown very close to to study in China again and focus on studying Chinese both sides look the same, which leads to sho-gi’s main greetings before the match and a declaration of defeat their heart. Marika adds that Kagoshima is full of warm, and English. Kana hopes to contribute to the distinguishing feature, the ‘drop rule’. In other board are essential. Sho-gi matches usually end with one side kind-hearted people, many of whom choose to stay in improvement of Japan-South Korea relations by games lost pieces can no longer be used; however in personally declaring they have lost. Having to admit the area when it comes time to find a job. One showing the Japanese people the beauty of Korean sho-gi captured pieces can be reused by the player. This one’s own defeat is not something most people have to historical site that is a place of great pride for the culture. Hayato plans to continue Taiwanese and ‘drop rule’ is specific to sho-gi and serves to deepen the do in everyday life and that moment is very frustrating. Kagoshima people is Sengan-en, a villa with beautiful Chinese studies and would like to work in human games difficulty and challenge. Sho-gi has a high However without experiencing this you cannot grow gardens built in 1658 and the adjacent Sho-koshu-seikan relations. Yo-suke, starting with Georgia, wants to share branching factor meaning the number of possible game stronger. This is why we are always diligent in ensuring complex that was designated as a World Heritage Site Kagoshima with the world. Finally, Kenta plans to directions is 10226, a number that even powerful new members of the club properly admit their own in July 2015. Ayasa believes Kagoshima is the best continue onto postgraduate studies and wishes to computers cannot handle perfectly. I believe the defeat. They must take it one step at a time when place in Japan, “but only as long as volcanic ash from deepen ties between Japanese and international challenge of finding the best move amongst this huge overcoming adversity. the nearby volcano Sakurajima isn’t falling on us!” students, while working on ways to make Kagoshima amount of variables and information is sho-gi’s greatest Society has image of sho-gi being too complicated known internationally. charm. and hard, however once you learn the rules you will 3. Showing International Students How Good All of them have returned home more mature and The Kagoshima University sho-gi club meets every find this is not the case and it is in fact a game of great Kagoshima Is with a new outlook and it is exciting to see them all so Wednesday and Friday in the tatami room on the third freedom. We invite all of you out there to come join us A distinct feature of Kagoshima University is the variety passionate about international exchange and telling the floor of the university hall. Our members play off and try sho-gi for yourself. of student clubs it has to offer. Kenta believes that it world about Kagoshima. Students who have studied against each other and study things such as standard would be a great idea for international students to also abroad will no doubt have a big part to play in the join these clubs, giving them a chance to interact with internationalisation of the university and the local area. Japanese students and practice their Japanese language Likewise, foreign students in Kagoshima will contribute skills. Miki and others agree that there has always been to increased global activity and positive change. 12 KU Today KU Today 13 International Programme
グローバル Special Course in International Food and The Special Course in International Food and Resource Sciences was founded in April 2015 in GL B人材A育L成 cooperation between Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Fisheries. The inaugural class in the Resource Sciences academic year of 2015 accepted twenty one students.
1. Objectives them to improve their professional knowledge and industry problems and improving global food security will lead to related to agriculture and fisheries industries. We plan to provide cultivate an international perspective in their field. a stable food supply for our own country, Japan. Our target students with many international experiences, such as This course is designed to provide students with the 4) We aid students in finding employment opportunities at Southeast Asian countries are located in the tropics, one of the major-related classes conducted by faculty members of different opportunity to gain knowledge about and contribute to the relevant organizations or companies by providing regions that are seriously affected by climate change. There are nationalities, overseas training programmes, internships, and global community and industry, and to explore the field of internships or similar programmes at international continuous devastating natural disasters in coastal areas, which graduation projects, in order to facilitate their career development sustainable agricultural and fishery production and rational organizations and global companies. seriously test the resilience of coastal systems. In fact, there is a in the international arena. Furthermore, by utilizing resources at utilisation of food resources. Currently, we are focusing on high possibility that due to the effects of climate change these our Tokyo Liaison Office of Kagoshima University, the North South-East Asia, the South Pacific and Africa. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES natural disasters will become increasingly dangerous. A American Centre of Kagoshima University in California, USA, and catastrophic flood in Thailand in 2011, that submerged 300,000 the network with partner universities and Japan International hectares of farmlands and many factories, including those owned Cooperation Agency (JICA), we will provide employment 2. Contents of education International Public Service by Japanese companies, caused enormous economic damage. guidance and counselling for further career development. 1) Students will acquire professional knowledge on ● International civil servant These are extremely important and urgent issues, and the This programme is also designed to promote graduate studies, international food security issues and develop themselves ● International cooperation projects global community needs to work together to tackle these possibly leading to future employment at universities as teaching through general education. ● Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) challenges. Thus it is necessary to develop professionals who can staff or researchers, improving their educational quality and 2) Students will obtain high proficiency in English and an ● Civil servant in the food sector deal with these types of problems. Japan, as a member of the providing global awareness. understanding of different cultures, both of which are global community, is sharing these problems and is expected to important for human resources involved in global food Global Business Companies develop human resources with advanced skills. The education of Total number of students for the security issues. foreign students will contribute to the resolution of some of these 3) Students will attain high level comprehension skills to ● Food trades food security problems and will also accelerate the international Special Course: 22 contribute to the society and an enriched thinking ability, ● General trades expansion of Japanese industries. ● Global food processing Agriculture-based sub-course: 12 both of which are necessary for understanding and solving Kagoshima University is one of two universities in Japan that + ● Foreign-owned food processing global food security problems. has both Agriculture and Fisheries Faculties, and this programme Fisheries-based sub course: 10 ● Consultancy firms 4) Students of agriculture-based and fisheries-based is established as a collaboration between the two. This allows the sub-courses will study together and achieve programme’s students to learn about the issues related to food Acquire advanced expertise in sustainable food production and the knowledge to solve global food comprehensive and multifaceted perspectives. security from the perspective of both agricultural and fisheries 4. Programme for foreign students security problems through the regional cooperation sciences. This programme expects that foreign and Japanese and collaboration within the international community 3. Features The Special Course in International Food and Resource Sciences graduates will eventually work together in order to solve global will accept foreign students from coastal countries in Southeast food security problems, making the best use of the knowledge ● Elements of ● Overseas training 1) We nurture the students in an international environment Asia, where food security may become a larger problem in the that they have acquired and the experiences of their collaborative Agricultural Science ● Internship where Japanese and foreign students can interact with one future. The objective of the programme is to provide students with learning, ● Elements of another. This environment helps the students to acquire a the necessary knowledge needed to stabilize food production and The students we seek in this programme are those who can Fisheries Science ● Participation in universal way of thinking. supply in the target region. This programme will be implemented contribute to international development. This corresponds to one overseas joint research ● Agricultural of the educational goals of Kagoshima University: “Fostering a ● 2) We provide various English subjects in order to develop through the cooperation between the Faculty of Agriculture and Production Science Foreign language an excellent English communication ability. In addition to the Faculty of Fisheries, and seeks to educate students. Some global perspective and developing the practical skills students training classes conducted in Japan, we send students abroad for major courses will be conducted in English for foreign students need to contribute to the international community.” The university ● Fisheries Production Science training programmes and give them opportunities to who lack Japanese language ability. It is expected that this has ties with many global companies throughout Kyushu attend lectures together with the local students at the programme will help Japanese students and foreign students alike (Southern Japan) giving opportunities for foreign students to work partner universities abroad. These are good opportunities improve their international awareness and English language in Japan after graduation. Moreover, as Japanese companies Global human resources for the students to further improve their English abilities. ability. Such benefits will work in tandem to provide a very expand throughout Southeast Asian countries, the graduates who can participate internationally in 3) We give opportunities to the students to do on-the-job well-rounded experience. returning to their own countries may have the chance to become solving food and resource problems training or conduct research overseas which will allow Supporting developing countries that face hunger and primary important executives in those companies, especially in those
14 KU Today KU Today 15 Faces and Snapshots
Nobel Prize Winner Akasaki Isamu Receives an Honorary PhD from Discovery of Slow-Moving Low-Frequency Tremors in the Sea of Hyūga Kagoshima University Faculty of Science assistant professor, Yakiwara the shallow subduction plate boundary in the Sea of Hiroshi, has led a joint research group which has Hyu-ga, off eastern Kyu-shu-. This indicates the On 26th June, Kagoshima University conveyed an discovered and processed new information on possibility that the plate boundary in the vicinity of honorary PhD to last year’s Nobel Prize in Physics underwater earthquakes and shallow subduction the Nankai Trough is slipping episodically and recipient, longtime Meijo- University professor and interface. The results of which were published in the slowly (over days or weeks) without inducing a graduate of the precursor to Kagoshima University, prestigious scientific journal, Science. strong seismic wave. After the 2011 Great East Japan Akasaki Isamu. The group, consisting of project researcher Earthquake, a fundamental review of shallow plate During the ceremony, president Maeda Yamashita Yu-suke and Prof. Shimizu Hiroshi from boundary interfaces has been required and these Yoshizane honoured Professor Akasaki for his the Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, Faculty new findings provide important insight into slip research and academic achievements. After which, of Sciences, Kyūshū University, assistant professor behavior at the boundaries and will improve Professor Akasaki expressed his gratitude and then Yakiwara Hiroshi, technical officer Hirano Shu-ichiro- understanding and modelling of subduction gave a very interesting speech about his drive to do and Prof. Miyamachi Hiroki from Kagoshima megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis in the future. something that no-one else had ever done which led University, as well as researchers from Nagasaki See Science (8th May 2015) to his Nobel Prize win, and the importance of Professor Akasaki receiving his honorary PhD from President Meada University and the University of Tokyo, discovered http://www.sciencemag.org/content/348/6235/676.full universities and research. slow-moving low-frequency tremors which occur at
Professor Komiya Setsurō Receives an Academic Achievement Award Presentation of Relief Funds for the Nepal Earthquake from the Japanese Orthopaedic Association A ceremony was held on Kagoshima University’s - On 20th May at the 88th Annual Meeting of the breakthrough in the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, Korimoto Campus on 28th May for the presentation Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Professor forming the basis of new treatments through of relief funds to those in need of help after the large Komiya Setsuro- was selected out of the association’s biotechnological drugs; treatment for paraplegics earthquake in Nepal. Executive Vice President, 24,000 members to receive the Academic using stems cells to regrow severed nerves; a Sumiyoshi Fumio, presented the donation money to Achievement Award. This award is for those whose breakthrough in the control of bone Bibeck Ariaru, a Nepalese student studying in the world-class research has contributed greatly to formation and growth; and a breakthrough Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences orthopaedic science and the professor is only the in understanding why people’s joints and his countryman, Mans Bohara. Presentation of donations to the Nepalese students second recipient since the award’s founding in change with age. These research results 2010. were published in many of the world’s Professor Komiya’s research has produced the foremost science publications following valuable results: osteosarcoma, including Nature. Professor Komiya’s Mini-Symposium on Fisheries Higher Education and development of new gene therapy for sufferers of award not only reflects the excellent cancerous bone tumours; the discovery of a new academic level of the Faculty of International Linkages intracellular signalling substance and its application Medicine but also that of the In April, the Faculty of Fisheries, in cooperation with China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, for cancer therapy and molecular medicine; a university as a whole. four South-East Asian fisheries universities, Philippines and Thailand, and Kagoshima University, established a new international cooperation Faculty of Fisheries’ dean Matsuoka Tatsuro- was a programme-based postgraduate course which keynote speaker. The symposium included provided the topic for a special presentation during discussion on tropical fish industries, quality the 2nd International Symposium on Aquaculture standards, the need for more flexibility in higher Professor Kosai Kenichirō Secures Large Research Grants for and Fisheries Education, held in Shanghai on 24th education systems, the quality of education required Independent Clinical Trials of Cancer Virotherapy. April 2015 entitled “Mini-Symposium on Fisheries for the future global standard, and proper financial Higher Education and International Linkages support for overseas students. The results of this On 25th May, Graduate School of Medical and targeting the cellular mechanisms of the cancer, (Postgraduate Programme on Tropical Fisheries and symposium will now serve to improve and further Dental Sciences professor, Dr. Kosai Kenichiro- have so far shown great results. Dr. Kosai plans to International Linkages)”. The symposium included develop the new postgraduate course. (gene therapy & regenerative medicine) secured two build on this theory with the Survivin-dependent representatives from a total of 14 institutions from large research grants from the Japan Agency for m-cra gene that his research group developed, in Medical Research and Development (AMED) to be producing a virotherapy medication that safely and used for research and trials for cancer virotherapy. effectively destroys cancer cells without the use of Dr. Kosai has worked on producing a virus that only gene modification. Using all the results they have Academic Exchange Agreements targets cancer cells and now plans to move onto gathered up till now, the research group plans to group-based independent clinical trials. start their independent clinical trials on this ● January 2015 – Agreement formed between Chung-Ang University Hospital, (Seoul, Korea) and Kagoshima Molecularly-targeted drugs, which differ from progressive cancer treatment during this year. University Hospital. traditional cancer medications in that they focus on ● February 2015 – Start of a student exchange memorandum with Mokpo National University, (Korea) ● March 2015 – Renewal of agreement with National Institute of Technology Karnataka, (Surathkal, India)
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