From Global Production to Domestic Production: Proposing a Dual Sourcing Model by Decomposing the Demand Process

Researcher: Takamichi Hosoda

This study assumes a supply chain with production bases both overseas and domestically (a total of two locations) and aims to achieve stable supply, cost economy, and a sustainable society. It proposes measures to achieve these goals simultaneously by mainly utilizing mathematical models to consider how to use the two domestic and overseas bases appropriately. The results of this study can also be applied to responding to supply chain disruptions caused by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts. Another objective of this study is to mathematically identify the mechanisms of trade-offs with cost economy that have been overlooked in previous studies, mitigation measures, and the existence of new response methods.

Sustainable English Education from a Posthumanist Perspective

Researcher: Naoyo Kikuchi

Posthumanism is an interdisciplinary approach that shifts perspective from traditional human-centered thinking to the benefits of ecosystems. In this study, we attempt to build an English education model for higher education that incorporates AI technology into translanguaging (a fluid and subjective language form that transcends national and cultural boundaries) based on this approach. First, we investigate changes in English and the way people think about English among people living in the British Isles, the birthplace of English and translanguaging. Next, we interview and analyze the English learning experiences of Japanese students who have studied abroad in multicultural and multilingual countries and regions. Furthermore, we explore how the latest AI technology can contribute to English education that aims to achieve sustainable social equality, and how it can be used.

Synthesis of novel optically active azulene derivatives by environmentally friendly synthesis

Researcher: Ryo Takeuchi

The azulene skeleton is found in many natural products and is known to have pharmacological activity such as analgesic action. Optically active azulenes are expected to have various pharmacological activities and new physical properties, but due to the lack of efficient supply of optically active substances, biological activity evaluation and physical property evaluation have not progressed. In this study, we will establish an efficient synthesis method for optically active azulenes using environmentally friendly reactions.

"Climate Security" and International Peace Operations: From Theory to Practice

Researcher: Hiromi Fujishige

This research focuses on "climate security" and conducts (1) theoretical studies and (2) practical improvement measures to clarify how international peace operations can mitigate security issues caused by climate change (particularly global warming). (1) examines the process and conceptual transition from the theoretical perspective of "securitization" to the way in which the issue of climate change, which was previously seen as a socio-economic challenge, has come to be seen as a "security" threat. (2) studies how international peace operations (particularly UN Peace Operations) can contribute to improving the situation in the face of the increase in serious armed conflicts, one of the problems caused by climate change.

Development of a desk pad-type device that enables sensing of writing behavior during learning

Researcher: Yuichi Ito

Knowing the learning situation of a learner is not only helpful to the learner himself, but also provides an important clue for educators as to how to proceed with education. Understanding the learning situation using information technology is based on objective data, and various applications are possible. In order to understand the learning situation, this study focuses on the writing behavior of the learner, and aims to sense the learner's unconscious writing behavior by collecting and analyzing that writing behavior using various IoT technologies. From the obtained information, feature quantities such as the amount of writing, writing speed, and even changes in writing pressure are extracted, and the aim is to use them for applications such as estimating the learner's understanding state, concentration level, and class participation level.

Development of a calming environment for people with mental disorders and sensory hypersensitivity

Researcher: Masako Kimura

By identifying factors that cause mentally disabled people with sensory hypersensitivity to panic and reducing the panic through environmental adjustment methods, we aim to lead to active participation in society and achieve DEI (Disability, Equality, Inclusion) in a tolerant and warm symbiotic society. To date, we have created and conducted experiments on "Calm Down Spaces," spaces that block out external stimuli and provide comfortable multi-sensory stimulation to help people calm down.
In this study, we will develop a method to give each person a deeper sense of security by adapting the illuminance according to biosensor information, and verify its effectiveness. We aim to create a space where people can regain a sense of calm.

Considerations regarding the sustainable revitalization of textile manufacturing regions

Researcher: Kenji Miyazoe

The companies that make up textile production areas all over Japan have been in a difficult financial situation for many years due to the stagnation of the local economy and the slump in clothing demand. On the other hand, some of these companies have survived and increased their presence by gaining recognition overseas for their unique creativity and high level of technical expertise. In addition, upstream and midstream companies in textile production areas are connecting directly with consumers via the Internet to find new sales channels, and the number of creators in textile production areas that are attracting attention due to the recent folk art boom is increasing.
This study takes an overall view of the movement toward sustainable revitalization of such textile production areas, and conducts case studies of representative production areas and their major companies in five areas: woolen textiles, cotton textiles, silk textiles, synthetic fibers, and knitwear, in an attempt to derive a strategic model for sustainable revitalization.

Intra-country inequality in Thailand and Mexico: A multifaceted comparative study

Researcher: Kaoko Sakikawa

Thailand and Mexico have several things in common. Both countries underwent structural adjustment after falling into a foreign debt crisis, and the successful shift to economic liberalization policies attracted foreign direct investment, particularly in the automotive and electrical and electronics industries, leading to economic growth. Although they were actively incorporated into the "global value chain," a cross-border division of labor between processes, they are also both caught in the "middle-income trap," stagnating and unable to join the ranks of developed countries while facing the social problem of large domestic disparities. In this study, we use Thailand and Mexico, which share commonalities but have not been comparatively studied, as examples to clarify the structure of domestic disparities through a multifaceted comparison and to consider what policies are needed to reduce the disparities.

Developing Global Leadership in University Students: Through Facilitation of International Collaborative Learning in the JEARN Youth Project

Researcher: Eriko Katsumata

There is a growing interest in developing global leadership among university students in order to develop human resources who can play an active role in the international community. This study explores the development of facilitation skills and global leadership among university students through practice.
The research subjects are university students who participated in the "International Education and Resource Network (iEARN)," which promotes online international collaborative learning based on projects that connect elementary school to high school students overseas and SDGs. The results and challenges of facilitation in different themes, ages, countries, and exchange formats will be analyzed, and methods for improving skills as global leaders will be clarified.