Kobe University Newsletter "Kaze"SPOTLIGHT
Developing the world’s first
Microwave MammographyVol. 08
April 2020

RESEARCH
Working with citizens to preserve
local historical records
EDUCATION
Kobe University’s Campus Asia ProgramKobe insights

Mount Rokko
Forming a stunning backdrop to Kobe University’s Rokko-dai

Kobe University Magazine “Kaze”
In this issue...
SPOTLIGHT

campuses is the Rokko mountain range. Although not technicallya single mountain, the part known as Mount Rokko can be

3 Developing the world’s first Microwave Mammography

reached from a cable car located not far from the university.

RESEARCH AT KOBE
Mount Rokko is known for its stunning views of Osaka andKobe that can be seen from the observation platform near the

7 Working with citizens to preserve local historical records

cable car station at the top. Panoramic vistas of both cities andthe sea beyond can be enjoyed during the day and in the

EDUCATION

evening. These renowned views, along with the varied attractions
and activities on offer, make Mount Rokko an ideal change ofscene from the cities below. Points of interest include the

11 Kobe University’s Campus Asia Program
12 International Voices

European-style Rokko Country House, the music box museum,
the alpine botanical gardens, and Rokko Garden Terrace’s shops,
restaurants and scenic views. Activities including skiing, fishing,

COMMUNITY IMPACT

golf, pedal-boating and go-carts are available depending on theseason. There is also an annual ‘Rokko Meets Art’ event wheremodern art installations are on display.

Even today, many of the attractions on the mountain have a

13 How Kobe University support group members help their fellow students
15 Machi Project
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

European flavor. This is connected to Kobe’s cosmopolitan history
as a port city that has witnessed ships and goods coming from allover the world since the opening of Japan over a hundred andfifty years ago. In 1895, Arthur H. Groom, an English trader andforeign resident in Kobe, decided to build a summer cottage on
Mount Rokko. He began to popularize the area, which resulted in

17 10th Anniversary KUBEC Symposium a resounding success
UnILiON Special Open Talk held in Brussels
18 Joint forums held with Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Fourth symposium held by the Honolulu Office of Kobe University
Kobe University establishes new liaison offices in Australia and the USA

Japan’s first golf course being opened in 1903. It is still one of themountain’s attractions today.

CAMPUS NEWS

Photos (from top to bottom): Rokko Cable Car,The view from the observation area, The Rokko

19 Kobe University Events

Alpine Botanical Garden.
Photo Credit: International Affairs Planning Division,
Kobe University.

Why “Kaze”?

Cover photo for Kobe University Magazine “Kaze” Issue 8:
Cherry Blossoms on Rokko-dai 2nd Campus

Stay connected - search for “Kobe University” on the following platforms:

There are two main concepts behind the title “Kaze”, meaning “wind”. Firstly,
Kobe University’s goal to innovate, creating a wind of change. Secondly, ourlocation at the foot of Mt Rokkō, an area known for the invigorating wind of
Rokkō-oroshi that blows down from the mountain range.
The calligraphy on the cover of “Kaze” was created by Professor Emeritus
UOZUMI Kazuaki, a researcher of calligraphy at Kobe University.

Contact us:

intl-relations@office.kobe-u.ac.jp(International Affairs Planning Division)

SPOTLIGHT

Developing the world’s first Microwave Mammography
Next generation imaging technology enables instant detection ofbreast cancer

Highly precise breast cancer screening to enable
early detection and treatment monitoring.

By applying scattering tomography theory to microwave scattering we cangenerate a 3D image, so that only cancerous areas inside the breast areclearly rendered. In other words, the contrast in the resulting image is

Q. What is the big problem with X-ray
mammography, which is currently used forbreast cancer screening?

extremely high, preventing cancer from being overlooked.

Prof. Kimura: X-ray mammography, which is currently the world

lightly scanning the surface using a transmitter that emits low levelstandard and the most widely used breast cancer screening

microwaves, the microwave radiation illuminates inside the breast frommethod, is ineffective for detecting cancer in women who havemultiple points on the surface. Cancerous areas of breast tissue containhigh breast density. 79% of Asian women, 61% of Caucasianmore water molecules than normal fatty areas. Microwaves scatter strongly

women, 57% of black women and 55% of Hispanic womenacross the boundary between these two areas.

under 50 have high breast density. Under X-ray mammography,

All the reflected data from these areas is calculated using the scattering

this high-density tissue containing large amounts of collagen

tomography theory, allowing us to mathematically create third generationshows up white. This makes it impossible to distinguish fromimaging in which cancerous areas can be clearly viewed in realtime. It iscancer, which also appears white.

possible to clearly see breast cancer regardless of whether the patient has

Ultrasound is often used in conjunction with X-ray

high breast tissue density or not, as the causative agents of high breast

mammography, however ultrasound waves weaken within thedensity are insulators.

breast tissue, so it is not possible to detect at any depth. In

Most importantly with regard to imaging is that the microwave

addition, there are reproducibility issues. The contrast in the

mammography we developed has high reproducibility.

results is low, meaning that even if AI is used, it is generally not

In other words, the exact same image will be generated regardless of thepossible to make an accurate judgement. In other words,

timing or the medical observer. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any

current screening methods are not accurate enough.

diagnostic imaging devices for breast cancer that can do this up until now.

Alternatively, microwaves are able to pass easily through breast

Microwave mammography is a painless process, unlike x-ray mammography

tissue at depth as it’s a electrically non-conductive material andthere is no need to compress the breast between two plates. Withare strongly reflected by cancer. Regular breast tissue has low

microwave mammography it is possible to detect cancerous tissues as small

electric permittivity whereas cancerous areas have higher

as 0.5mm, as well as cancer located deep within the breast or towards theelectric permittivity due to the water molecules inside the cells

armpits. Another advantage is that this screening method can be utilized on

and blood vessels.

pregnant women too, as there is no x-ray exposure risk.

Q. How is microwave mammography conducted?
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves used by cell phones and Wi-fi. By

The advantages for doctors are that they can monitor changes in cancer as

Professor KIMURA Kenjiro

well as the effectiveness of treatments like chemotherapy. Understanding
the progression of the cancer would allow doctors to evaluate and decideCenter for Mathematical and Data Scienceson treatment methods more easily. In addition, microwave mammography
is easy to carry out; the same image will result regardless of who operates

ʻThe development of microwave mammography has its roots in Professor Kimura becoming
the ﬁrst person in the world to analytically solve the ʻinverse scattering problemʼ, which wasan unsolved problem in applied mathematics. This led to a technological breakthrough withthe practical application of his ʻscattering tomography theoryʼ. The areas to which this theory
can be applied have rapidly increased and it is set to develop into a huge industry.ʼ
Every year, over 1,600,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer; the cancer being fatal for over 500,000 of thesepatients. In Japan, this cancer affects around 78,000 women each year, with approximately 14,000 women losing their lives to it.
However, it is said that more than 90% of patients are more likely to recover if breast cancer is detected early. The Japanese
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare recommends that women over 40 get tested for breast cancer once every 2 years, however
only 45% attend these screenings.

Screening using microwave mammography merely requires
the antenna to be moved across the surface of the breast.

Professor KIMURA Kenjiro (Center for Mathematical and Data Sciences) has developed ‘Microwave mammography’ to increase
the accuracy of breast cancer screening and resolve issues with existing X-ray mammography methods and high density tissue.
He has created his own start-up with the aim of making this new screening technology the norm throughout the world andreducing breast cancer-related deaths to zero.

03

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SPOTLIGHT

Microwave mammography:
a trillion yen industry for Integral Geometry Science.
Q. Can scattering tomography theory be applied to other fields?
The first screening technology we developed based on scattering tomography theory
was a contactless infrastructure testing method. The instrument that we developed can
The basic equation for ʻScattering
Tomography Theoryʼ developedby Professor Kimura.

Becoming the first person to solve the ‘inverse scattering problem’
Q. So why haven’t microwaves been used in breast cancer screening until now?
In order for breast cancer screening using microwaves to be viable, the ‘inverse scattering problem’ needed to be solved. This was an
unsolved problem in mathematics history.
It involves determining the size, shape and location of an object from the scattering of the waves that hit it. For example, there is a
tower somewhere in a lake but due to heavy fog you cannot see it. Waves are sent from the edges of the lake, rippling across thesurface of the entire body of water and the ones that hit the tower scatter in all directions. By measuring these returning waves fromvarious locations around the edge of the lake and analyzing this data, it is possible to theoretically determine the location, size andshape of the unseen tower.
This is the ‘inverse scattering problem’. I have been interested in this since my twenties, and after a decade I was able to come up with

detect the location of fractures in concrete. Travelling at dozens of kilometers per hour,
the testing equipment can visualize the 3D inner structure of concrete walls in real-timeand its performance was highly evaluated.
Currently, non-destructive testing technology to visualize the inside of batteries
accounts for the majority of IGS’s sales. In recent years there have been incidenceswhere lithium batteries in smartphones have exploded or caught fire. The technologythat we developed visualizes electric current flow inside the battery, enabling abnormal
current flow to be detected. It has been adopted by many industries in fields such as
smartphone and electric cars. In the seven years since IGS was established, we havenever gone into the red.

“From crime prevention to archeological surveys,
imaging technology based on the scattering tomography theory

a solution.

has the potential to change how we look inside things.”

Q.You were the first person in the world to solve thisproblem?
Based on the results that is true but I wasn’t conscious of it at thetime. In addition to the ‘scattering tomography theory’, we

Q. Will the mammography device make up the majority of your sales in the future?

succeeded in developing antenna and signal generatingThat’s correct. Up until 2028, we will be establishing breast cancer testing centers and locations to sell our device all over the world. Therefore,technology to emit and observe DC-20GHz ultra-wideband

our annual sales target for this period is 630 billion yen, with mammography making up 396 billion yen of that goal. We plan to test one

microwaves with the highest performance in the world.

hundred thousand people in a year. At this point, IGS will become a trillion yen industry.

In 2015, this project was selected by the Japan Agency for Medical

Q. Are there any other fields in which this technology can be applied?

Research and Development (AMED) and, by combining the theory

The mathematics that have enabled this new imaging technology to be developed can be universally applied to the inverse scatteringand technology that we had developed, we produced a prototype

problem. In other words, this technology can be applied to every issue related to the detection of and seeing inside of an object. This means

device for microwave mammography. We were able to conductthat the new technology will bring about innovation to said issues. We have received commissions from all over the world in various areas,

clinical trials on around 400 patients, thanks to various medical

including crime prevention, autodrive, resource prospecting, archeological surveying, and inspections for foreign objects in factory produce.

Q. What direction will your research go in next?

institutions including Hyogo Cancer Center, Shinko Hospital, Kobe
University Hospital and Okamoto Clinic. These results revealed that

Left is an X-ray mammograph, right is a microwave mammographI am interested in the theoretical calculation of chemical reactions. For example, being able to mathematically predict chemical reactions

microwave mammography could achieve an extremely high breastof the same patient. The diﬀerence in ﬁdelity is striking.

perfectly via computer, such as the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen that produces water. In other words, it could become possible

cancer detection rate.

to do all kinds of experiments virtually. In drug composition research, experiments such as ‘what happens if we mix Substance A with

Q. What is the process for making microwave mammography the norm?

Substance B and they react?’ are comprehensively carried out. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could theoretically and accurately predict

In order to obtain approval for the device domestically, trials will begin in FY2020. Normally it takes some years for a new medical

experiment results?

device to be approved in Japan, however in April 2019, microwave mammography was chosen as a target for fast-track approval

Q. Is this different to making predictions using AI (Artificial Intelligence)?

under the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s Sakigake Designation Scheme. This means that the review period will be much

When a robot that could throw a ball into a distant box was developed, they did not input Newton’s laws of motion. Instead, they had theshorter.

robot learn about the results of throwing the ball from large amounts of data. The robot’s AI was able to decide the appropriate speed andAs of September 2019, we are collaborating with 10 companies in related industries through our Kobe University start-up company

angle to throw the ball based on this. I am not interested in this kind of machine learning.

Integral Geometry Science (IGS) with the aim of making the widespread usage of microwave mammography a reality. We have also

To begin with, I am interested in completely solving the finite temperature problem using mathematical physics. Subsequently, I would likereceived capital venture investment (approximately 2 billion yen in total) towards this goal.

to resolve the reaction path and other aspects theoretically and mathematically. It is embarrassing to talk about dreams but if I was able toI established IGS in order to publicize my research results and have obtained related patents for ‘microwave mammography’ in 26

develop such a system, I would like to build a factory in the desert. I would like to distribute software to researchers all over the world in whichcountries. Sales of the screening device will start in 2021, once the clinical trials have been concluded. We aim to have breast cancer

chemical reactions between the substances that you have selected are automatically simulated by the computer. The resulting compound

screening centers using microwave mammography all over the world within the next ten years, with a hundred million patients beingis then produced by our factory. I would like to try to make this factory and software a reality through IGS.

tested annually.

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06

Research at Kobe

Working with citizens to preserve local historical records
Protecting history & culture and connecting the past to the future

From historical material preservation activities
to the establishment of a new discipline
Q. Did you pave the way for the establishment of‘Regional Historical Materials studies’ as a newacademic field?
Prof. Okumura: You could say that but actually the Great
Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (1995) was the impetus for winning the‘Awoniyoshi Award’. At the time, academics in various fields only
focused on solving issues in their areas of specialization. However,it was not possible for everyone to deal with the disaster andrestoration efforts by themselves, so many people began to help
with efforts outside their academic field. The same thing
happened in the field of history and culture, and this led to thebirth of a new academic field.
There was a reexamination of the relationship between the ownerof the historical material and the researcher. Normally, historians
receive donations of historical documents from members of the
public and subsequently communicate their findings throughjournal articles and the like.
However, when a disaster such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake occurs, the historical materials themselves are lost.
Researchers realized that they had to do something in response tophotos, old books and tools can all be important historical records.

such situations. This led to the gradual establishment of regional

Q. To what extent do historical records still exist?

historical materials studies as a new academic area. At the time, I

In Japan many materials that have an important link to our origins, as

was not thinking about establishing a new field of study. I waswell as collections of historical experiences and culture, still remain

focused on the immediate need to protect historical materials andin regional areas. For example, there was a system whereby each ofprioritizing activities to preserve records in the disaster-hit areas.

the main members of a village had to agree to break the seal of a

Only afterwards did I begin to think about the significance.

document which they had previously sealed. Consequently, various

Q. How are preservation activities carried out?

such records remain in temples, shrines and the places where village

It has not been easy. To begin with, not all researchers had directlyleaders of the time lived.

dealt with materials possessed by citizens and it was also hard for

By our calculations, there must be roughly 2 billion Edo period

citizens to determine what would be considered a ‘historical(1603-1868) records in the entire country. It is unusual for a countrymaterial’. Even if they receive a request from a researcher, they say

to still have such a vast amount of regional historical documents; thisthings such as ‘it’s not as ‘great’ as a national treasure or an

is something distinctive about Japan.

important cultural property.’ (laughs). However, we researchers
are not merely looking for ‘great’ things. We started to tell citizens
that materials which are the basis for understanding regional

The importance of preventative measures before
disasters

history and culture, and the culture of Japan as a whole, can behistorical records. Not only ancient manuscripts but also diaries,‘Historical materials preserved by local areas in Japan are in danger of disappearing due to depopulation, thedeclining birthrate, the aging population, and disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rainfall.’ says Professor
OKUMURA Hiroshi, Dean of the Faculty of Letters and the Graduate School of Humanities at Kobe University.
As the leader of the ‘Historical Materials Network’; Professor Okumura has created a system whereby specialists andcitizens cooperate to preserve and utilize historical records.

Q. Do you also research restoration techniques formaterials damaged by disaster?
Asics

Burned paper materials are especially difficult, however it is still
possible to restore water or dirt-damaged items. When it comes tom e t h o d s t o ‘ r e sc u e ’ d o c u m e nts, th ere a re th o se u sed b y
professionals and those used as an initial attempt to recover thematerial. In the field of regional historical materials studies, we aredeveloping preliminary rescue methods. These are steps that anyone

He was presented with the 13th ‘Yomiuri Shimbun Awoniyoshi Award’ in recognition of his activities. This award was
set up by the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shinbun to recognize the efforts of those who protect cultural heritage.
His latest research project, which is informed by the activities of the ‘Historical Materials Network’, has been selected
for a 2019 KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS). This is expected to result in the development of a new academic field: ‘Regional historical materials studies‘.
We spoke with Professor Okumura to hear his thoughts on activities to preserve historical materials.

can carry out using easily available items. For example, drying wetmaterials using kitchen roll or putting damp documents inside
vacuum packs to remove the water from them. These methods canbe used as an initial step before entrusting the work to a professional
restorer, and as a way to deal with such damage in a disaster zone.
It is often thought that historical materials are beyond saving if they
become dirty and start to smell. However, it is possible to preserve

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Research at Kobe
“The significance of preserving historicalmaterials can only be understood by society
if their value is also understood.”

when they were students, to those who want to volunteer.

these documents long-term by lightly washing and drying them.

mass media and various publications. Historical materials

Traditional Japanese paper is strong and the black ink doesn’t
deteriorate much.

networks in each area started to get SOS calls from people who

Little by little, knowledge of our activities spread and, around thetime of the floods in Eastern Japan in October 2019, the slogan‘Don’t throw away historical documents!’ was featured in thehave such documents.

Q. Is digitizing historical materials also beneficial?

New avenues in history studies and global
viewpoints

Of course digitization is an important preventative method. When
the Tohoku earthquake occurred, many historical documents werelost in the subsequent tsunami. However, if photographs of theseQ. What are the topical issues in the regional
historical materials field of study?

documents were taken beforehand, the information still remains,even if the original is lost.
This is why we are gradually carrying out exhaustive surveys

We historians believe that we live in an age where ways of life

(covering all historical materials) as a precaution. The aim is not tothat have been part of Japanese culture for almost one thousandsave everything in the event of a disaster, rather it is extremely

years are disappearing. For example, up until the 1960s, cows

difficult to manage historical materials if their existence is not

were a part of people’s everyday lives, yet nowadays you don’t

known.

see cows anywhere.

Also, the significance of preserving historical materials can only be

Boiling rice over an open fire, and the relationship between

understood by society if their value is also understood. It is vital thatpeople, mountains and trees are other aspects that are vanishing.

surveys into existing historical materials are conducted, and that theIf we look at this from the perspective of how people live, we cansignificance of this is conveyed to local people so that the materials

see that great fundamental changes have taken place.

can be preserved in the region. These steps are

Furthermore, the people who can remember the era before theseimportant for enabling the region to deal with this matter in thechanges happened are over 80 years old.

Q. Do many young people take part too?

The danger that regional history and culture will disappear has

Yes, there are many. At Kobe University, the network mainly consists

been expedited by the low birthrate and aging population.

of graduate students and there are also many students in the Ehime,

Therefore it is highly important to look at the preservation of

Shimane and Ibaraki networks in particular. The students are

historical materials from this viewpoint as well as protecting theminterested in rediscovering the region or in understanding local

from disasters.

society. For students in the Faculty of Letters who are researching

There is also the concept of ‘surviving history studies’. This is an

Localized earthquakes have occurred at a rate of one every 2 years

old documents, the opportunity to talk directly to the owners ofattempt to understand, from a historical studies point of view,

since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. We have repeated thehistorical materials enables them to reconfirm the societal

how Japanese people have been passing down knowledge

process of communicating our experience to these disaster-hit

significance of their research. If they become teachers or curators inregarding their lives in relation to nature.

areas, leading to the establishment of regional (historical materials)

the future, they will be able to reexamine regional culture andFor example, when it rains heavily, there are areas that flood

networks. At the time of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake the Tohoku

ensure that this knowledge is passed on.

easily and areas that don’t. The areas which have been settled

event of a disaster. To achieve these goals, we must establish‘Regional historical materials studies’ as a discipline.

Expanding the activity network nationwide
These activities are spreading across the country?

University-based ‘Miyagi historical materials preservation network’
was the center of these disaster response activities. This group ismade up of people who started activities with us at the time of theearthquake in the north of Miyagi Prefecture, which preceded the
Tohoku Earthquake. At present, groups like this are active in around
25 areas of Japan and we are carrying out fundamental support
activities in order to expand the network.

09

Q. Are citizens also involved?
Of the 300 members that make up the historical document network,
half are regular citizens.
They carry out volunteer tasks such as those relating to the group’s
general operations and cleaning damaged materials. The members
range from high school students to elderly people. The groups
attract various people; from those who became interested in history

since the Edo Period are not prone to flooding. Building houses inthese areas and creating a settlement; this knowledge enabling
people to live has been passed down.
However, history studies have yet to sufficiently focus on this
wisdom. The historical materials in which these fundamentals of

Q. This conjures up an image of history studies
becoming closer to people’s lives
Yes. However, it is difficult to come up with a methodology as it is
not something that can be achieved through individual research.
Actually, the research topic ‘New Research Field for Resilient Local
Communities in a Country of Natural Disasters’, which was selected
for the JSPS KAKENHI grant, began from this idea. The project
involves joint research with over ten other people. As well as
collating the practical research conducted by historical materials
networks nationwide, we are also working on a methodology for
researching ‘surviving history studies’.
Our other goal is to explore shared issues with researchers from allover the world. Although the specific circumstances may bedifferent, the disappearance of culture is a worldwide occurrence.
Last year, a symposium on cultural heritage was held at Kobe
University Brussels European Center (KUBEC) in Belgium. In Europe
as well, there is a train of thought regarding the various types ofcultural heritage, beyond national treasures and important culturalproperties, and their connection to the survival and preservation ofregional societies. According to a presentation at the symposium,
issues relating to this were raised in the midst of organizing the EU’s
‘2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage’.
This way of thinking about cultural heritage in relation to regionalsociety is currently gaining momentum in countries around theworld. Considering the significance of this phenomenon is also atheme of the project.

society remain are indispensable for ensuring that thisknowledge is reexamined.

10

EDUCATION

Kobe University’s Campus Asia program
Cultivating Risk Management experts through specialized study at
Japanese, Chinese and Korean universities
Kobe University’s Campus Asia master’s program aims to train
graduate students so that they can become experts in

What were you doing before you came to Kobe University?
I studied at a Japanese language school for about 2 years after graduating highschool. I also wanted to become a chef- so I was unsure about whether to go torelationships and globalization in East Asia.

vocational college or study abroad in Japan. In the end I decided to study abroad as‘humanitarian logistics’. Japan has experienced large-scale
natural disasters, such as the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake of
1995, that impacted Kobe University, and more recently theGreat Tohoku earthquake in 2011. When a natural disaster ora national scholarship student because it would cost my parents less money. I cameto Kobe University because I liked the atmosphere of the Kansai region and myQteacher at the language school recommended it to me.

What is your life like at Kobe University?
I’m in the School of Business Administration, so I study about business strategy andother crisis occurs, it is not sufficient to merely wait for help

management. My professors teach in a way that is easy to comprehend and if there

from other areas or countries. Quickly facilitating cooperation

is something I don’t understand my friends in the same school will explain it to me.

through human networks is crucial during a crisis, as resources
Double Degree program graduatesQfulfilling dreams through various experiences

managing multifaceted risks in the context of international

One area of study that is related to Risk Management isare limited. In order to manage the related risks, it is necessary

to thoroughly research what can be done in such situations, cultivate human resources who can respond to these scenarios and embed thisThis has been a big help.
Also, I’m a member of the ‘Pen pen gusa’ sign language club and I have a part timeQ

job at a teppanyaki restaurant.

Tell us more about the club’s activities and your part time job.

knowledge and expertise into societies.
With these concerns in mind, Kobe University established a ‘Campus Asia’ framework. ‘Campus Asia’ (Collective Action for Mobility Program ofUniversity Students in Asia) is a Japanese government-led initiative that aims to strengthen exchange and cooperation between universities in

I had been previously interested in sign language and when I started at university I

Naufal Afiq Bin Nasaruddin

wanted to try something new, so I joined the ‘Pen pen gusa’ club. Before I joined the

3rd year student,
Administrationclub, I thought that sign language was the same all over the world but it is in fact

Japan, China and South Korea. Through this framework, an alliance was formed between Fudan University (China), Korea University (South

completely different depending on the country, and this surprised me (laughs)! If I

Korea) and Kobe University. These 3 academic institutions have been offering a shared education program to cultivate specialists in Risk

have chance, I would also like to learn Malaysian sign language. Kobe University’s

Management since 2011, entitled “Program for Careers on Risk Management Experts in East Asia” . This double degree master’s programsign language club has a very relaxed atmosphere and we do fun activities, likeallows students to benefit from the strengths of each university’s high quality teaching while experiencing the different education systems ofthe three countries. For example, a student majoring in public policy studies at Fudan University can also obtain a master’s in economics atmeeting up to chat in sign and visiting after-school centers to teach sign language.
My part-time job has not only been a way to earn money, it has also taught me a lot.

Kobe University, allowing them to accumulate a wealth of knowledge by taking advantage of the specializations of each institution. Though

I have learned about Japanese customer service and how to interact with those who

fieldwork, expert-led seminars and online discussions, students can gain important knowledge and experience from each university anddevelop the analytical skills necessary for them to contribute toInternational
voicesStudying, club activities and part-time work:

SchoolofBusiness

Originally from Malaysia, he is known as‘Nau-san’ in Japan because his full name is very
long. He is currently living alone and isconsequently feeling grateful towards his
mother.

are above you. It is very difficult to learn Japanese keigo (polite language) but
through my experiences working at the restaurant I was able to remember how toQspeak in certain situations.

global society. In addition to the double degree program, there
is also a credit-transfer exchange and triangular program

What are your future goals?
In the future I want to be involved in business management. I have learned a lot ofallowing students to spend a semester studying at the partner
universities.

Japanese so I would like to act as a bridge between Malaysia and Japan.
Also I haven’t given up on my previous dream of becoming a chef. Eventually I would

A network of around 150 graduates has been developed overlike to run my own restaurant. I would like to have many experiences and work hard

the 9 years since the Campus Asia program began. It is hoped

to achieve this dream.

that this network will play a leading role in facilitating
cooperation based on humanitarian logistics between these

Malaysia
Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is aconstitutional monarchy established on parts of the
Malay Peninsula and Borneo Island. It is amulti-ethnic and multi-cultural country with apopulation of about 32 million. The Petronas Twin
Towers and Jamek Mosque in the capital of Kuala
Lumpur are very famous.

three countries. The expertise and insight that students gain
through the program is high demand among internationalorganizations, NGOs/NPOs, and international divisions ofadministrative bodies in countries worldwide. There is also

Above: Fieldwork in regions affected by the Great Tohoku earthquake.
Below: Attendees at one of the joint symposia held by the universities.

growing demand among private enterprises and media
organizations with a presence in East Asia. Consequently,
graduates of the Campus Asia program have the potential toforge a career path in a variety of sectors across the globe.
Further information about Kobe University’s Campus Asia
Program can be found here in Japanese, Chinese, English andKorean: http://kobeucpasia.wp.xdomain.jp/en/

11

With sign language friends.

Group photo after a ‘pen pen gusa’ stage
performance

Approximately 1,400 international students from countries around the world are currently studying at Kobe University.
In this corner, our international students introduce their native countries and offer some insights on studying abroad in Japan.

12Student Supporters

How Kobe University support group members help their fellow students
At Kobe University, there are various support groups that aim to help students enjoy their life on campus with a peace of mind.
This time, we interviewed two members of different support groups who provide assistance to other students.

Student Supporter at the Support
Center for Campus LifeYAMAZOE Tomoaki(4th year Chemistry student in the Faculty of Science*)

Peer Supporter
MISHIMA Haruka(4th year student in the School of Business Administration*)

Q. What kind of support do you provide for otherstudents?

Q. What does being a Peer Supporter involve?

We conduct support activities for students who require assistance with their studies

other students can discuss things with us. This system only just started in October 2019.

or student life due to a disability or other reasons.

Currently, I have a booth in the Learning Commons on Tsurukabuto 1st Campus one

For example, I took part in an activity last year where we conducted a survey into

lunchtime a week and anyone can come and talk to me.

using a wheelchair on campus. Kobe University’s Rokkodai campus is located near

It doesn’t matter how small the matter is that you want to discuss. For example, if you

the mountains, so there are lots of steep areas and steps making it difficult for people

can’t find any interesting activities to do on campus, I can introduce projects that I

in wheelchairs to get around. We tried traversing the campus in wheelchairs whileknow about.

referring to the ‘Barrier Free Map’ made by the university and informed them of

Before this peer support scheme was set up, there was a discussion booth aimed at new

problem areas and easier routes.

students and the discussion topics at that time included things like class registration.

We also help hearing impaired students by typing up lecture contents in real time. There are currently no students at Kobe
University who require this support, so members of our group help students at other universities through an NPO. They are sent
video or sound data via the internet and type up the contents.

Q. What have you realized throughcarrying out student supporter
activities?
Through carrying out the wheelchair study, I realized that there
are not only many slopes but also lots of narrow areas. Some ofthe pavements are only just wide enough to fit a wheelchair and“Being a Supporter gives you theopportunity to learn about how
people around you experience
the world differently and see itfrom their point of view.”‘Peer’ has a similar meaning to friend, and as peer supporters we provide a space where“I would like the activities of our group to continue
and for many peer supporters to join.”
Q. What do you keep in mind during these discussions?
I always try to keep in mind what the students who come to talk to us want. Some want advice or support, and others just want to talkto someone. We are called ‘Peer Supporters’ but I think that more than helping other students, we are able to think over the topic
together on an equal footing. I also think that we should try not to meddle in the other students’ problems.

some of the bus stops are also narrow, making it difficult to board the bus in a wheelchair. I noticed that you have to avoid obstacles in a

Q. What would you like students who use the peer support service to know?

wheelchair that you don’t pay attention to when walking.

I would like them to know that they are welcome to casually use this service and that any topic is fine. There have been times when I

Although we can’t do anything about some of these aspects, I hope that the results of our survey report can be used to maketoo had worries relating to student life but I thought that it was a little difficult to discuss them with university staff. Of course you can

improvements.

come and talk to a peer supporter if you are having problems, but it is also ok to come to our booth if you just want someone to listen
to you or if you don’t have someone to talk to. Just chatting is fine but if you are seriously concerned about something we can

Q. What would you like students who are interested in Supporter activities toknow?

connect you to an appropriate discussion service. We can also accommodate small matters as well, so please come and talk to us.

people around you experience the world differently and see it from their point of view. Being a student supporter allows you to do

Q. What would you like students who are interested in the peer support service toknow?

something that benefits other people.

It is fine to come to our booth for the first time, even with a light topic such as ‘I want to try doing a new extracurricular activity.’ If you

Understanding a bit about those who are hearing impaired or using a wheelchair helps you become conscientious about what you

are interested in becoming a peer supporter, please sign up. We get thorough training prior to starting our activities. We have justcan do if you see someone who needs support. I would like those who are even slightly interested to join our activities andstarted so we are still finding our way but I would like the activities of our group to continue and for many peer supporters to join.

Studying abroad is one way to experience a different world but being a Supporter gives you the opportunity to learn about how

experience a different world.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

Machi Project

Q. Please tell us about your own event ‘Machi T Fest’
One of the concepts of our group activities is to reuse things that the town doesn’t need to create something to brighten up the community.
Nada WardStudents of architecture revitalize the local community‘Machi Project’ (Town Project) is a student group that carries out town planning
activities in Nada Ward- the area of Kobe City where Kobe University’s main
campuses are located. Run by students from the Department of Architecture in
Kobe University’s Graduate School of Engineering, the Machi Project began in
2007. Over the past 13 years it has become part of the Nada community, giving
students the opportunity to use their ideas to enrich the local area.
We spoke to the group’s 13th leader, HIGAKI Yuichi, about their recent
activities.

Q. What is Machi Project?
It is a project by students from the Department of Architecture. It began with the initial ideathat students who study architecture and urban planning can plan a town from a uniqueperspective.

Machi Project Leader
HIGAKI Yuichi

Our activities can be divided into two categories: 1. Taking part in local events and festivals,
and 2. Holding our own local event every year at the end of August. Currently there are around20 members in the group.

a local spot. Held for the 13th time last year, this event was started with the aim of making it the face of Machi Project.
Local places, such as shops and elementary schools, put out collection boxes so that we can obtain old T-shirts for the event. We always ask
them to put out the collection boxes at the same time every year. Therefore, when local residents see the boxes they say ‘It’s already thisyear’s T-shirt collecting month?’ (laughs).

Q. How do you reuse the T-shirts?
For example, we make a 3 meter tall frame using materials such as
wooden posts and gardening canes, and install it in the park where
the event takes place. On the day of the event, children draw
pictures on the old T-shirts. The frame is then gradually decorated byattaching the old T-shirts to it one-by-one like sails (see the photo
below). Even though we are only attaching colored pieces of cloth toa thin frame, the children really enjoy it. They take photos with theirparents in front of the T-shirt that they decorated. Last year we tried
illuminating the installation at night for the first time.
Our other games and activities were also well received and included
ring throwing, jump rope and friendship bracelet making. The
materials for these activities, such as the rope for skipping and thebracelets, were all made from old T-shirts.

1st year achitecture student, Graduate Schoolof Engineering*.

The ‘Machi T Fest’ event involves collecting old T-shirts from residents and reusing them to make decorations that change the atmosphere of

Q. What do the members do at local events?

It depends on the event. For example, we carry the Mikoshi every year at a local festival. Mikoshi are large, heavy portable shrines made fromwood that are carried between shrines in the local area during some festivals. They usually require at least ten strong people to lift them.
Local residents told us that it is difficult for them to hold a Mikoshi carrying festival because the number of young people in the area isdecreasing. Therefore, we take part in the festival to help ensure that the custom survives. This revitalized the community and local residents
also took part in our own event in the area, leading to the establishment of positive mutual exchange between us and the local people.
Town planning is not limited to building and city design but also includes the formation and maintenance of human networks andcommunities. We study about both in our classes at the university, however I think Machi Project provides us with an opportunity to put
these ideas into practice rather than merely studying them.

Q. How do you raise funds for your activities?
We are subsidised by Nada Ward and we also ask for support from local shops.

Q. Tell us about the posters that you have started
making.
We have connections with the WeLv Rokkomichi Ichibangai shopkeeper’s association
because we have held joint events with them before and have also helped out with theChristmas illuminations. We thought that we would design some interesting posters tobrighten up the WeLv shopping center. We do the planning with each tenant, then the

Q. You took part in the ‘Rokko Marché’ event
last October, didn’t you?

group members take photos and create the poster design. Afterwards, we put up thefinished poster inside the shopping center.

This event was organized by a real estate company in Nada and was held in
the company’s large parking lot. Local shops set up stalls and many residents

Q. You are a multi-faceted group.

from the area enjoyed attending. The event was a bigger success than I had

Machi Project has been conducting activities in Nada for over ten years, and ourimagined, with stalls lined up selling traditional side dishes, roast beef fromconnections with the local community are continuing to expand. We know all kinds ofpeople (laughs).

Japanese black cattle, wine, curry, vegetables, bread and many more.

Above: Students were also responsible for the Rokko
Marché venue design and decorations.
Below:The ‘Machi T Fest’. An installation is decorated
with T-shirts that children have illustrated.

We originally received an invitation from the company in mid-August saying

Q. Tell us about yourupcoming activities.

that they would like to organize the event with the help of university
students. The company let us be involved in the planning process. From
September onwards we attended planning meetings to discuss the event

15

contents and progress. They accepted various ideas from us, including our

Project members taking part in Minume Shrine’s Fall

plan to hold a workshop. In the end, they also enabled us to utilize theFestival in 2017.

I would like to increase the number ofopportunities for us to make our plans into
reality, like we did with the previous Rokko

strengths of the architectural department by letting us design the venue.

Marché. For this to happen, I think that is

We came up with 12 design ideas in total, discussed them at the planning

important to value our connections with themeeting and then refined them. It made us happy to see the things that we

community, including local businesses. We feel

had designed become reality.

that our activities are very worthwhile when we

On the day of the event, our friendship bracelet making workshop forsee local people enjoying events that we havechildren was also a success. A local business and university students working

been involved in. I would like to keep

together to hold an event for the community builds interpersonal

contributing to the continuation of these local

relationships, and reflects the name of our group well.

activities.

*at the time of the interview

16International Collaboration
10th Anniversary KUBEC Symposium a resounding success

Joint forums held with Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The ‘Kobe University- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Forum (KUAREF
series)’ and ‘The second “Innovation X Cooperation” Japan-China

EuropeAsia

Enterprise Innovation Cooperation Forum’ were held in Shanghai on
December 6 2019. The theme was ‘Healthcare Industry and Social System
Innovation in Ageing Societies’. Five highly specialized speakers fromboth China and Japan gave keynote lectures based around this themefrom industrial, governmental and academic perspectives. Professor
KOWA Hisatomo of the Graduate School of Health Sciences at Kobe
University gave a lecture about the development and implications of hisdementia prevention project. This was followed by a productive panel
discussion in which discussants from both Shanghai side and Kobe sideexchanged opinions on how China and Japan could work together totackle the issues faced by ageing societies.

Fourth symposium held by the Honolulu Office of Kobe University
Horizons for EU-Japan Research". Held in Brussels, Belgium on October 22, it attracted over 100 policy makers, researchers, students andbusiness people from both Japan and Europe.
KUBEC’s Executive Director SAKAI Kazunari presided over the event, and opening addresses were given by Kobe University’s President TAKEDA
Hiroshi, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)’s Vice Rector for Internationalisation Romain Meeusen, Ambassador KODAMA Kazuo (of The Mission ofJapan to The European Union), and Director-General Jean-Eric Paquet (of the European Commission’s DG for Research and Innovation). All
expressed hopes that the SPA (Strategic partnership agreement) signed in July last year would led to greater research collaboration between

On February 4, “The 4th HOKU Symposium for Advanced
Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration between Kobe

Americas

Kobe University Brussels European Centre (KUBEC) marked its tenth anniversary with a symposium on "Open Science, Evolving Societies: New

University and University of Hawai’i” took place at the
Hawaii Imin International Conference Center in Honolulu,
Hawaii.
The morning session was conducted on the theme of"History and Literature of Japanese Americans in Hawaii",
with presentations on literature, culture and history fromJapan and Europe.

researchers of Kobe University, Nihon University and the

The three breakout sessions covered 1. The EU-Japan SPA and EPA (Economic partnership agreement), 2. Food technology, and 3. Cultural

University of Hawaii.

heritage. These sessions provided a platform for presenting the latest research outcomes and policy initiatives, in addition to prospective

The afternoon session’s theme was "Economics forcollaborations. The audience was treated to inspiring presentations that led to question and answer sessions followed by lively discussion.

Sustainable Society in Hawaii and Japan". Professor Denise

The presenters also had an opportunity to discuss plans for future joint research projects. Interactive workshops corresponding to the themes

Konan, Dean of the College of Social Sciences at theof three sessions were held in the afternoon. The symposium’s theme of advanced research through EU-Japan cooperation resonated not only

University of Hawaii at Manoa, gave a keynote speech onwith researchers but also with policy makers from both Europe and Japan.

solar power in Hawaii. This was followed by Kobe

Closing remarks were made by Kobe University’s Executive Vice President OGAWA Matsuto (in charge of Research and Information Management)
and VUB’s Vice Rector Hugo Thienpont (of Innovation and Industry Relations). They thanked the attendees and contributors from both
universities for making the symposium a success and expressed hopes for the continued expansion of student and researcher exchange
between Europe and Japan.
Since the establishment of KUBEC in 2010, Kobe University has succeeded in fostering exchange agreements with 140 influential universities
in Europe. Furthermore, since the 7th Brussels Symposium, this annual event has been jointly held with VUB, where the KUBEC office is located.
This has led to numerous opportunities for European researchers who are involved in research collaboration with Kobe University faculty toparticipate in these symposia.

A seminar was held at the Kobe University Brussels European Centre (KUBEC)

Hawaii and Kobe University, which has existed for nearly 30 years, would be further developed. As the symposium came to an end, attendees
were able to share valuable academic insights while discussing possible future academic collaborations.
Kobe University will continue to promote cooperation and exchange with American and Pacific institutions by holding positive joint academic
events like the HOKU symposium.

with the cooperation of Hyogo International Association. Located within Perth’s

and Innovation: from Horizon Europe to Japan’s Moonshot Programme”

Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre, it will serve as a base for education

on February 7. This event is a part of the activities of UnILiON (Universities

and research exchange in Australia.

Informal Liaison Offices Network) which is a network of universities andOn the same day, the Kobe University Liaison Office in Seattle was set up toresearch institutes that have liaison bases in Brussels. The seminar was

expand the stateside activities of the university’s Honolulu Office. Kobe University

hosted by KUBEC and was a big success, with 46 participants from UnILiON,

hopes to further promote and strengthen international cooperation withneighbor universities and research institutes and governments engaging

17

Closing remarks were given by Dean Konan, in which she expressed her hopes that the cooperative relationship between the University of

On April 1, the university opened the “Kobe University Liaison Office in Perth”

on the theme of “New Opportunities for EU-Japan Cooperation in Research

Japan and Europe.

presentations and exchanging opinions on the current worldwide topic of ‘Sustainable Society’ from an economics standpoint.

Kobe University establishes new liaison offices
in Australia and the USA

UnILiON Special Open Talk held in Brussels

in lively discussions about initiating and expanding collaboration between

University and University of Hawaii academics giving

Mr. Pierrick Fillon-Ashida introducing the Horizon 2020 and
Horizon Europe programs for research and innovation.

universities and institutions in Australia and the Americas through theestablishment of these two new bases.

18

KOBE UNIVERSITYFounded in 1902
4 campuses 10 faculties 15 graduate schools

Kobe University’s ‘ROKKO-SAI’ Festival‘Rokkosai’ is the annual Kobe University festival for the campuses located in Rokko. A large number of the university’svarious clubs take part- either by showcasing their skills through performances or demonstrations. This big event is held
on Rokko-dai 1st Campus and attracts around 40,000 attendees including local residents, student’s families andacquaintances.

Last year’s festival, held on November 9 and 10, featured a juggling show and a traditional Japanese archerydemonstration from the respective clubs, in addition to a wide range of different dance and music performances. Other
attractions included a stand-up comedy contest and a game to find Kobe University’s Uribo mascot. Many club members
also set up their own food or drink stalls- there were around 150 stalls in total over the course of the two days.

We hope you enjoyed reading Kobe University Magazine “Kaze” Vol. 8 (April 2020)
This magazine is published by the Kobe University International Affairs Planning Division
For back issues, visit office.kobe-u.ac.jp/ipiep/publication/index_en.html