OCARINA Communication 9

OCARINA通信
The OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science and Technology―Special Feature Article―
Can we produce a core project?
We are at the starting line again after 10 years of experience.

Establishing an organization that can motivate
young researchers and enhance their ability
Addressing a larger theme under a newframework in the future―OCARINA’s History―
CHRONICLE of OCARINA

Vol.9
2020.3The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and TechOCARINA Communication 9■Special Feature Article
Establishing an organization that can motivate young researchers and enhance their ability
Addressing a larger theme under a new framework in the future

1

OCARINA has dealt with research topics that have an influence on all human beings, and has
aimed to produce human resources and put research results into practical use. At its 10th
anniversary, OCARINA will be restructured into a new organization. We looked back on our
10-year history, focusing on the keywords of“advanced”“composite”,“international”,
and“training young researchers”. Also, active discussion was carried out with regard to thepotential of our project research system and the future OCARINA.
The project system advanced our
research
Dr. Miyano/
As you all know, OCARINA will be reorganized next academic
year.
Last year, the Education and Research Strategy Council, aPresident’s advisory organization, presented proposals for the
new OCARINA’s principles. According to the proposals, the
new OCARINA will be an organization that dose not have fulltime faculty members other than researchers who promote
project research.
Now, at first, I would like to focus on the term“advanced”
in the name of our organization. OCARINA has had several
principles, including the pursuit of advanced research. Has theprinciple been realized or not? What do you think about that,
Dr. Kamiya? You have been a full-time professor since 2010.
Dr. Kamiya/
Before answering that question, I would like to talk about
OCARINA’s principles. We have carried out our research,keeping the keywords of“composite and advanced”in mind.
We therefore focused on urban issues such as energy, theenvironment and disaster management in order to makeproposals to the citizens of Osaka City. When we look backon these 10 years, we can divide them into two periods; thefirst half until 2014 and the second since 2015. During the first
half, we focused on research for photosynthesis and artificial
photosynthesis.
Originally, we were planning to implement three big projects
in parallel. However, we could not launch any large project
other than the research on photosynthesis and artificial
photosynthesis until 2014. Then, in 2015, a new research space
was established, and it has been used by researchers who haveobtained a large amount of external funds.
So, as for the advanced research within these 10 years you
asked about, we have focused on certain fields of study in eachperiod. Although the research scales vary, I think we havebeen able to accomplish“advanced”achievement to a certain
level, as shown in the name of our organization.
Dr. Amao/
I have mainly worked for the Research Center for Artificial
Photosynthesis since 2013 to now. As Prof. Kamiya said, theyear 2015, when Prof. Yoshida joined our institute, was a pivotal
point for OCARINA. Three new projects started, including the
project on advanced materials by Dr. Shigekawa. The period offour years since 2015 was filled with the hope of creating new
revolutionary research and development in OCARINA.
Dr. Miyano/
As Dr. Amao said, Dr. Yoshida was expected to put artificial
photosynthesis into practical use in engineering. Including thisThe OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and TechOCARINA Communication 9

Can we produce a core project? We are at the starting line again after 10 years of experience.
Eminent Professor & Professor Emeritus, OCU
OCARINA

Nobuo Kamiya

Graduated from the School of Science and completed
the doctoral course at the Graduate School of Science,
Nagoya University. Doctor of science. Worked as aguest researcher at the High Energy Physics ResearchInstitute, Photon Factory (PF), a researcher/ research
sub head at RIKEN and the director of the R&D office of
RIKEN Harima Center (SPring-8). Became a professorof the Graduate School of Science, OCU in 2005 andchanged to a professor of OCARINA in 2010. Took up his
present post in 2019. Awarded the Asahi Prize in 2012.

point, what do you think about the period since 2015?
Dr. Yoshida/
I had the opportunity to give a presentation at the 2014
International Symposium a few months before I came here. At
that time, I had the impression that OCARINA’s research on
natural photosynthesis was really advanced.
At the time of my arrival, many other engineering researchers
who were creating various reacting materials also came to
OCU. In that sense, I think we are now aiming for advanced
achievements by adding new streams to OCARINA’s original
stream of natural photosynthesis.
Dr. Miyano/
Dr. Shigekawa has studied at OCARINA for five years, and his
project is one of the“advanced”studies. Could you tell us yourimpression?
Dr. Shigekawa/
I am involved in a research project, so I will speak from thatperspective. In this project system, we pay to use a room forour research. American universities have a similar system.
I suppose this is a very good mechanism for implementing
research efficiently in a limited time. I have been working
as Vice Director for these few years, and I think we should
maintain this system in some form. Recently, however, there
are many projects underway, so we should streamline them.

Supporting young researchers forcomposite research
Dr. Miyano/Now, let’s discuss the next keyword“composite”.
To what extent have we realized“composite”research in these
10 years?
There are various advanced projects in OCARINA. We
discussed the difficulties in collaboration of distinctive, stateof-the-art topics in the previous meetings, and there was
the opinion that young researchers could play a key role inconnecting different projects.
Dr. Amao/
In OCARINA, specially-appointed young researchers areworking as associate professors, lecturers or research
associates. Young researchers have been collaborating andachieving new research results in recent years. Some speciallyappointed researchers have jointly challenged to apply for the
NEDO foundation for young researchers for these two years.
They could proceed to the stage of a presentation of theirproject this year.

Professor, OCARINA

Yutaka Amao
Obtained a Doctorate in Engineering at the Graduate
School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Instituteof Technology in March 1997. Worked as a researcher
at the Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology
in April 1997 and the National Aerospace Laboratory ofJapan in February 1998. Became a lecturer (February2001) and then an associate professor (April 2002) atthe Faculty of Engineering, Oita University. He becamea professor of OCARINA in April 2013. He has also
been acting as the Director of the Research Center for
Artificial Photosynthesis since April 2015.

For young researchers, establishment of research based on
their own ideas is the most important, and it is extremely
difficult to pursue projects outside of research fields. In recent
years, however, they have brought their research skills
together and presented proposals. Now, they have been trained
enough to explore what is necessary to achieve their researchgoal. The successful experience of proceeding to the stage of apresentation of their project is an extremely valuable for them.
They have stranded to the start line of starting collaborative
research with collection of wisdom of their individual
researches. Young researchers are recognizing the significanceof“hybrid research”and“advanced research”.
Dr. Fujii/
I saw some young researchers having a heated discussion justnearby. If I were a little younger, I would participate in their
discussion, but there is a strict limitation for age now.
In other organizations, some researchers have no interaction
with others, although they study in the same place; however,
OCARINA’s staffs are all very active in interaction. They havefriendly relationships with each other, and these relationships
are leading to scientific results. They are engaged in research
topics they are interested in. I feel that it is an important factor
in composite research that we are studying in a nearby placeor the same place.
Dr. Miyano/
Although all the fields have not been involved in composite
research yet, there is a project implemented by young
researchers of different fields of science and engineering. Could
you tell us about this, Dr. Yoshida?
Dr. Yoshida/
Composites, or collaboration, of young researchers are goingvery well. I see closely that new studies and experiments havestarted after the application for the NEDO subsidy was turned
down. Another important point for passing a screening forexternal funds is how to appeal to judges. In that regard, it is agood thing that young researchers are asking their seniors tocheck their presentations beforehand or asking teachers fromdifferent fields to check their application forms, establishinglateral relationships.
Dr. Miyano/
Collaboration is required not only among the disciplines ofengineering,science and human life science but also within eachdiscipline. As Dr. Amao said, it is an aspect of OCARINA thateven within the same discipline, terminologies are different andit is sometimes difficult to understand each other between thefields. Have we realized collaboration within each discipline?

The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and Tech

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OCARINA Communication 9■Special Feature Article
Associate Professor, OCARINA

Deputy Director, OCARINA

Ritsuko Fujii

Tomoko YoshidaObtained a doctoral degree (Science) at the Graduate
School of Science, Kwansei Gakuin University in March
2001. Worked as a postdoctoral fellow (PD) at the Japan
Society for the Promotion of Science, Graduate Schoolof Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University,
Osaka City New Industry Generation Center, and the
Graduate School of Science, OCU. Became a speciallyappointed associate professor at OCARINA and took up
her present position in April 2013. She also worked as a
researcher at PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology
Agency until March 2016. Specializes in biophysicalchemistry and spectroscopy.

Obtained a doctoral degree (Engineering) at theGraduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University.
Awarded the Okamura Award, given to excellent
female researchers, and her research was adopted asa project in the“GLOCAL base for constructing society
with a smile, intelligence and health”initiative in 2017.
Has studied optical functional material science at
OCARINA since 2015. Deputy Director of the ResearchCenter for Artificial Photosynthesis

Dr. Amao/Yes. That’s why I sincerely hope that young researchers can
get large budgets for research project. Chances have comenearby. I would like to continue to support for large budgets
them.

Establishing an environment to tackle a
big topic
Dr. Miyano/
We see the trend of composite research showing in thecompetition for an approval of a strategy key research project.

3

Dr. Kamiya/
In the field of photosynthesis and artificial photosynthesis,
which I am involved in, a bigger topic is better for achieving
OCARINA’s aim. Senior researchers should support young
researchers by connecting their research, giving fertilizer,
providing light and watering them like a growing plant.
At first, Dr. Hashimoto and I were working on fundamental
natural photosynthesis, keeping artificial photosynthesis in mind.
If we started to work on artificial photosynthesis at full scale,it could not be done by ourselves alone. We needed to bring in
new researchers. We once applied for the establishment of a
graduate school for our project, but unfortunately, it was not
approved. With that possibility in our mind, we would like toexpand the framework of our project.
Dr. Miyano/“A bigger topic is better”means widening the range of the
topic and creating an environment to bring in various fields
and various young researchers.
Dr. Kamiya/Yes. We should establish projects or concepts that are widely
open and can be implemented flexibly. That is important when
we think of the two keywords of“composite”and“advanced”.
Dr. Miyano/
We did not have such an idea when OCARINA was established.
We once accepted tenure-track specially-appointed professors.
After that, the Excellent Researcher Introduction Project
started, and excellent young researchers were hired fromexternal institutions. They are now using the rooms of
OCARINA. Dr.Shigekawa is invoved in this project.
Dr. Shigekawa/
The biggest bottleneck is the issue of space. If more

researchers are hired than there is capacity for, the problem of
research space will arise. Space is a more severe problem thanmoney.
If we accept young researchers for composite research at
OCARINA, we can provide them with enough research space.
If we can train young researchers from the standpoint, or in
the framework, of“composite”, we can increase the importanceof our existence, particularly for the training of young
researchers.

The time is ripe for international joint
research
Dr. Miyano/
Another principle we have had from our establishment is“internationalization”.
We are required to make our presentation in English at theinternational symposium at the end of every academic year.
However, this is not all that we have aimed for. What do you
think of the keyword“internationalization”?
Dr. Kamiya/
I think we succeeded in holding workshops including theinternational symposium. We were able to create the basis for“international”research through conferences and discussions.
However, it should be joint research that can promoteinternationalization among all the members, including students.
We should have tried to promote joint research more.
Dr. Amao/
Now that internationalization is required for research, theResearch Center for Artificial Photosynthesis was approved asa core institution from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, and six foreign reviewers includedin the steering committee last April. After that, our longhope was realized, and our project on artificial photosynthesis
were selected for the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
to start joint international research with National Taiwan
University. As a result, we can continue our research on
artificial photosynthesis and carbon dioxide utilization jointlywith National Taiwan University for five years. In this project,
young researchers will not only write academic research
papers, but also stay in Taiwan for a long time to conduct
joint research experiments. It is a key issue how widely wewill be able to expand the range of joint research in five years,
including publishing academic journals. It is a significant
achievement that this full-scale joint international research canbe implemented with public funds, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific

The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and TechOCARINA Communication 9

Advisor to the President, OCU
Director, OCARINA

Michio Miyano
Completed the doctoral program of the Graduate Schoolof Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University in March
1980. Doctor of Engineering. Was a full-time lecturer,a professor, Dean of the Graduate School of Human
Life Science and the Faculty of Human Life Science,
director and vice president, and took up his present
office at OCU in 2016. Specialized in regional disastermanagement and housing safety engineering. Studying
natural disasters such as earthquakes and wind andflood damage as well as daily accidents related tohouses for the establishment of a safe, comfortableliving environment.

Research.
Dr. Yoshida/
Many young researchers are studying in an advantageous
environment in Japan. We might need to force them tostudy abroad to establish human relationships. Essays canbe written only through the exchange of data, this is not real“internationalization”.
Dr. Fujii/
I was invited to participate in joint research by the director of
the Ma Chung Research Center for Photosynthetic Pigments,
Universitas Ma Chung, Indonesia. We are now studying andwriting a manuscript together.
Also, I plan to start collaborative research with University in
China through a postdoctoral researcher who graduated frommy research group. As with Dr. Amao’s joint research, I’
m alsoseeking collaboration with Asian countries.
Dr. Miyano/
OCARINA’s photosynthesis and artificial photosynthesis
project is a little different from others. For Dr. Shigekawa’sproject, I think it is not essential to seek internationalization.
It is important to promote multi-disciplinary research projects
that can adapt to global trends and challenge the global tasks
such as SDGs and environmental issues.
We are not establishing the regulations of our new organization
with an awareness of such a role.
Dr. Shigekawa/
I will speak from the perspective of a person who will stay in
OCARINA. I believe that SDGs, as Dr. Miyano referred to justnow, is a very timely keyword.
I also thought of another keyword;“large-boned”. We are all
implementing a project individually, but we are required to
produce a“large-boned”project that is comparable to theartificial photosynthesis project.

Strong collaboration is key to the
production of“large-boned”projects
Dr. Miyano/
I think the idea of a“big topic”Dr. Kamiya referred to is a hint,
but what do you think of the“large-boned”idea, Dr. Kamiya?
Dr. Kamiya/
I think that the meanings of the two words overlap. I meantthat if we start a project in a scale similar to the scale of theProfessor, Graduate School of Engineering, OCU
Deputy Director, OCARINA

Naoteru Shigekawa

Graduated from the Department of Physics, Facultyof Science, University of Tokyo in March 1984, andcompleted the master’s course at the Departmentof Physics, Graduate School of Science in March
1986. Studied chemical semiconductor hetero binding
devices at NTT Atsugi Research Institute for ElectricalCommunication (present NTT Device Technology
Laboratories) from April 1986 until Sep. 2011. Took up
his present post in Oct. 2011. Doctor of Sciencephotosynthesis and artificial photosynthesis project, we will beable to attain“composite”research.
I think that we should look for organizations to collaborate
with. We will be able to increase possibilities if we work with
the URA center and obtain a proposal from them.
Dr. Shigekawa/
You said that MIT is working like that.
Dr. Kamiya/
Otherwise, OCARINA will end having just provided study
spaces, as Dr. Shigekawa said at the beginning. Projects will
end separately. We will not be able to obtain“composite”,“advanced”research results. I strongly feel that we should
consider the frameworks and organizations when starting
research projects in the new institution.
Dr. Miyano/Your idea is very encouraging. In fact, I am thinking of asking
the URA center to commit to the work. First, the URA centermust work organically and establish a research group of
professors.
Are there any closing comments?

Creating projects that meet the needs ofthe times
Dr. Amao/
When I looked at our timeline in OCARINA, I noticed that it
took five years to establish the Research Center for Artificial
Photosynthesis from established in 2007. We look forward to
establishing a new project-based research center in OCARINA
renewed in 2020 for five years. That will be one meaningful
aspect of OCARINA. Following the trends of the times may
not always be appropriate for researchers. However, it is also
true that the Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis wasestablished because OCARINA quickly recognized the trend of
the time.
In 2025, the Expo will be held. If we can establish a newresearch center that is comparable to the Research Center
for Artificial Photosynthesis, by selecting from large-boned
projects present in the trends of the time as Dr. Shigekawa
says, OCARINA will be able to play its role again.
Dr. Miyano/
The fundamental policy of OCARINA is to establish a basis for
new big projects. We would like to aim for that.

The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and Tech

4

OCARINA Communication 9■OCARINA's History / CHRONICLE of OCARINA

2008
March

The International Symposium to Commemorate theOpening of the Institute#1 held
(Meeting room, Media Center 1st floor, OCU)

April

The OCU strategic key research project (2008-2011)
startedStrategic development for urban regeneration of the environment#1: ‌The International Symposium toCommemorate the Opening of theInstitute on March 10, 2008

December

The International Workshop#2 held
(OCU Cultural Exchange Center Hall)

Workshop on the efficient use of sunlight energy

52009
February

The Workshop#3 held

(OCU Cultural Exchange Center Hall)

The workshop on the present situation and future vision of the development of next
generation energy for the realization of a sustainable society#2: ‌The International Workshop on
December 15, 2008

#3: ‌The workshop on February 23, 2009

The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and TechOCARINA Communication 9

2010
January

The International Workshop#4 held

(Kwansei Gakuin University Nishinomiya Uegahara Campus,
Kwansei Gakuin Hall)March

The 1st OCARINA International Symposium#5(Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center)

150 researchers participated, including 20 from Western and Asian countries#4: ‌The International Workshop on
January 25, 2010

April

Enforcement of the official regulations of OCARINA

October

The Research Laboratory opened in Hall Number 2
in the Common Education Area

6

November

The Conference#6(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

The conference to commemorate the opning of Hall Number 2#5: ‌The 1st OCARINA International
Symposium on March 8 and 9, 2010

December

The 2nd OCARINA International Symposium#7(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

#6: ‌The conference on November 18,
2010
The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and TechOCARINA Communication 9■OCARINA's History / CHRONICLE of OCARINA

2011
March

The 3rd OCARINA International Symposium#8(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

April

Research paper by Nobuo Kamiya et al. waspublished in the electronic version of the British
scientific journal, Nature.
November

The Symposium#9 held.

(Meeting room, Media Center 1st floor, OCU)

#7: ‌The 2nd OCARINA International
Symposium on December 8, 2010

December

The research by Nobuo Kamiya et al. was selected
as a “Breakthrough of the Year 2011” by theAmerican academic journal, Science.
Elucidation of the main structure of the photosynthetic protein PSII

7

2012
January

Professor Nobuo Kamiya was awarded the “Asahi
Prize” for “Elucidation of molecular mechanismof water splitting and oxygen evolving inphotosynthesis”.

#8: ‌The 3rd OCARINA International
Symposium on March 7-9, 2017March

The Annual General Meeting#10(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)
The 2011 OCARINA Annual General Meeting#9: The‌
symposium on November 21,
2011.
The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and TechOCARINA Communication 9

April

The OCU strategic key research project (2012-2013)
startedGeneration of solar fuels by means of artificial photosynthesis

June

Start of construction of the Research Center for
Artificial Photosynthesis (ReCAP) - a base forcollaborative research with companies regarding thepractical use of artificial photosynthesis
July

School of Science Building C completed and started
to be used partially#10: ‌The Annual General Meeting on
March 5 and 6, 2012.

2013
March

The 4th OCARINA International Symposium#11

8(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

Completion of the Research Center for Artificial
Photosynthesis
April

Two new full-time teachers joined
June

The Research Center of Artificial Photosynthesis
opened#11: ‌The 4th OCARINA International
Symposium on March 4-6, 20132014
February

The new building of the School of Science started to
be used partially
One new tenure track teacher joinedMarch

One new tenure track teacher joined
The 5th OCARINA International Symposium#12(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and Tech

#12: ‌The 5th OCARINA International
Symposium on March 4 and 5, 2014

OCARINA Communication 9■OCARINA's History / CHRONICLE of OCARINA
April

One new full-time tenure track teacher joined
The OCU strategic key research project (2014-2015)
startedNew strategies for the construction of a city with renewable energy creation andcirculation

2015
March

The 6th OCARINA International Symposium#13(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

#13: ‌The 6th OCARINA International
Symposium on March 4 and 5, 2015

April

One new full-time teacher joined
Three new projects started

9

Projects regarding advanced materials, urban energy disaster management andadvanced biology

2016
March

The 7th OCARINA International Symposium#14(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

#14: T‌ he 7th OCARINA International
Symposium March 17 and 18, 2016.

April

The OCU strategic key research project (2016-2018)
startedStrategies for the creation of a low-carbon-energy circulating city, using ReCAP

ReCAP was approved as an institute forcollaborative use and collaborative researchby the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology
A new project started“Biomedical Engineering Science” project#15: ‌The 8th OCARINA International
Symposium March 7 and 8, 2017The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and TechOCARINA Communication 9

2017
March

The 8th OCARINA International Symposium#15(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

April

A new project started“Bio Resource” projectAugustA new project started“Nano material optical control” project#16: ‌The 9th OCARINA International
Symposium on March 6 and 7, 2018

2018
March

10

The 9th OCARINA International Symposium#16(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

2019
#17: ‌The 10th OCARINA International
Symposium on March 5 and 6, 2019March

The 10th OCARINA International Symposium#17(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

2020
March

The 11th OCARINA International Symposium#18(Scheduled)(Large conference room, Media Center, OCU)

#18: ‌The symposium scheduled on March 9 and
10, 2020 was postponed as a countermeasureagainst the novel coronavirus (COVIT-19)
The OCU Advance Research Institute for Natural Science and TechOCARINA Communication 9

What is OCARINA?
The mission of OCARINA (OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science andTechnology) is to find solutions for global-level energy and environmental issues and complex
and advanced research subjects, and contribute to the establishment of a sustainable society.
As an urban-type university that promotes multidisciplinary research, we set up research
projects across the graduate schools.

Since its foundation in 2010, OCARINA has been carrying out large-scale projects withcompetitive research funds, while promoting globalization, integration of different fields, trainingof young researchers, and recruitment of female researchers.
Currently, we have seven big projects at the four OCU research departments of Graduate
School of Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Graduate
School of Medicine. The most distinguishing feature of OCARINA is the integration of different
fields, which is conducted by a small number of selected researchers. With the major cityof Osaka as our base, we will continue to promote original research, including collaborative
research related to medicine.

We have carried out the activities of OCARINA for 10 years.
We will restart OCARINA as an organization without full-time staff from April 2020.
We hope for your continued support.

OCARINA通信
VOL.9 （2020年3月発行）

Osaka City University Advanced Research Institutefor Natural Science and Technology

3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku,Osaka 558-8585, JapanT E L：06-6605-3111
FAX：06-6605-3636
http://www.ocarina.osaka-cu.ac.jp/