Code of Conduct for Research in Kumamoto University
As a comprehensive university, and in the spirit of the “The Fundamental Law of Education”
and the “School Education Law”, Kumamoto University’s purpose is to create, develop, foster,and pass on knowledge. The university strives to develop human resources with highintellectual, ethical, and practical abilities who contribute to both regional and internationalsocieties.
The university endeavors to strengthen core competencies in advanced academic research,promote leading-edge creative research, and develop a rich cultural heritage. In addition, theuniversity has a responsibility to comprehensively expand the various sciences related tohumanity, society, and nature; to promote academic research of those sciences; and tocontribute to the coexistence of humans and nature through sustainable development ofsociety by taking advantage of the features of a fully comprehensive university.
The members of the university (including officers, teaching staff, students, professors
emeriti, honorary doctors, guest professors, etc.) must understand the purposes describedabove, and always perform their duties with ethical judgment and behavior. Therefore, theuniversity established the Code of Conduct to be followed by all members.
Ⅰ. Researcher Responsibilities
1. Researchers (i.e., staff engaged in any research activity in the university) must always act
honestly and sincerely; use good faith judgment; endeavor to improve their own
specialized knowledge, capability, and artistry; and make their best effort to demonstrate
the scientific accuracy and validity of knowledge created by their research.
2. Researchers must be aware of the fact that the autonomy of science is accepted by thetrust and mandate of society; understand the relationship between science, technology,society, and nature from a wide perspective; and act appropriately.
3. Researchers must be aware of the broad expectation of society when using research funds(including all funds used for research in the university, such as R&D funds that are
subsidized through screening for proposed themes publicly sought for by funding agencies,
operating expense subsidies, contribution to scholarships, research grants, and revenue
from the university hospital) provided to maintain the research environment and performresearch.
4. Researchers should aggressively disclose and explain the significance and role of their own

research; evaluate its potential influences on humanity, society, and nature; anddemonstrate the results in a neutral and objective manner.
5. Researchers must select the appropriate means and manner as accepted by society inwhich their research and its results should be made public.
6. Researchers must participate in training sessions on research ethics, laws and regulations
related to research activities, prevention of research misconduct, and endeavor to promote
fair research activities.
II. Fair Research
7. Researchers shall act sincerely in accordance with the Code of Conduct in the process offraming, planning, performing, applying, and reporting their own research. Researchers
must take responsibility for recognition of their achievements to suit their roles bydemonstrating the results of their research through academic publications or other means.
Researchers must record and store complete data of their investigations; strictly treat thedata according to the rules; prevent research misconduct, such as fabrication,manipulation, plagiarism, and misappropriation of research funds; and themselves notparticipate in such misconduct.
8. Researchers must be aware of the fact that performing responsible research, andestablishing and maintaining a fair environment to prevent research misconduct areimportant duties to be performed their own. They must endeavor to obtain theunderstanding and cooperation of society to qualitatively improve the research
environment of the scientific community and the organization to which they belong.
III. Appropriate Operation and Management of Domestic Research Funds
9. Researchers must thoroughly recognize that even if their research fund proposal isaccepted, the university is responsible for the management of the funds because they arefinanced primarily by domestic taxes. Any misappropriation of research funding has aserious impact on the whole of the university and all scientists engaged in research
activities.
10. University employees must operate and manage research funds appropriately. They must
thoroughly understand and comply with the rules defined by each research fundclassification and the related regulations of the university.

11. University employees must adhere to the rules regarding research funds and continuously
participate in compliance education to prevent misappropriation of funds.
IV. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
12. University employees must comply with related laws and regulations when performing
research activities and using research funds.
13. When considering publication of research, university employees must consider any
conflicts of interest between individuals and organizations, or between differentorganizations, and deal with conflicts openly and appropriately.