(July 4, 2022)
The 5th UTokyo Future Society Initiative Advisory Board Meeting Held
The 5th UTokyo Future Society Initiative (FSI) Advisory Board Meeting was held online on July 4, 2022. Twenty one (21) board members from diverse backgrounds attended the meeting, as well as President Fujii, executive vice presidents, and others from within the university.
The meeting opened with a keynote report by President Fujii regarding the creation of an "Autonomous and Creative University Model" as stated in the "UTokyo Compass," followed by a report on the activities of the Center for Global Commons (CGC) by Director Ishii. Next, the staff and the TA students of the fieldwork seminar "Invitation to Deep Tech Entrepreneur" gave a presentation on their proposal for the education and support system for entrepreneurs. The participants then went on to exchange opinions on the "Autonomous and Creative University Model" and the activities of the Center for Global Commons.
Many opinions were exchanged from a variety of perspectives, including the expansion of diversity, the international visibility of UTokyo's potential, and the fostering of human resources capable of leading GX (green transformation). The meeting was able to reach a number of conclusions, such as (1) the importance of securing a stable and sustainable source of independent funding so that the University can support high-priority areas at its discretion, such as the expansion of positions for diverse personnel, (2) the importance of the university's contribution to global-scale issues through educational programs and entrepreneurial support in related fields, (3) the creation of an international circulation of human resources by establishing overseas bases and sending research teams, and (4) the importance of creating a large-scale cycle to further enhance the social value of the university by receiving support from society and returning the profits obtained to education and research activities.
FY 2021
(November 10, 2021)
The 4th UTokyo Future Society Initiative Advisory Board Meeting Held
The 4th UTokyo Future Society Initiative (FSI) Advisory Board Meeting was held online on November 10, 2021. Considering greater diversity in the composition of the committee, 6 new members were added this year, and all 24 board members (including 11 women), as well as President Fujii, executive vice presidents, and others from the university attended the meeting.
The meeting began with a presentation by President Fujii on the university's guiding principles, UTokyo Compass, released in September 2021, followed by other presentations, including one by the representative of a student environmental group regarding their activities and thoughts. The participants, including UTokyo students, then exchanged views on the three agendas based on the current action plans and the latest activities of FSI: “Nurture and Protection of the Global Commons,” “Cyberspace Commons (Data Governance),” and “Fostering Global Commons Keepers.”
A lively discussion was held, and the meeting was able to reach a number of conclusions, such as the need to create a platform to work on issues including green transformation with students; the importance of having UTokyo become a university that can connect organizations to organizations, and people to people through dialogue (that includes thoughts on systematic change of society); and the necessity of creating a structure to support students to broaden their opportunities for experiencing specific activities that include those regarding the Global Commons.
(February 17, 2021)
The 3rd UTokyo Future Society Initiative Advisory Board Meeting Held
The 3rd UTokyo Future Society Initiative (FSI) Advisory Board Meeting was held online on February 17, 2021. 18 board members from outside of the university, including two observers, attended the meeting, as well as President Gonokami, executive vice presidents and others.
The meeting began with an explanation from UTokyo about the action plans that had been developed based on the discussions of the previous year’s meeting, which were (1) "Establishment of the Center for Global Commons," (2) "Strengthening dialogue on the Global Commons with students," (3) "Scale-up to a global education program by East Asian Academy for New Liberal Arts, the University of Tokyo," and (4) "Promotion of a thoroughly inclusive campus." The action plan also included “Data governance project” which was an action related to (1) and (2). Following the explanation from UTokyo, the participants exchanged views and opinions on the action plans.
The committee members highly evaluated the overall progress of the actions, including remarks such as "a good opportunity for disseminating the Global Commons Stewardship Index to the world" and "a good start for FSI in establishing its own sustainability." In addition, the following frank opinions were shared: "The world has shown the turning point within the last few months; the era of competition for decarbonization has arrived. Universities which are responsible for social change now need to consider how universities should survive and play a role in accelerating the social change. UTokyo should convey a message to the world about what role it will play in changing society.” “Universities should venture into a new field such as ‘skill, mental strength, and good physical condition’ focused on human beings.”
(January 9, 2020)
The 2nd UTokyo Future Society Initiative Advisory Board Meeting Held
The 2nd UTokyo Future Society Initiative Advisory Board Meeting was held at Sanjo Conference Hall in the University of Tokyo on January 9, 2020.
The purpose of this meeting was to seek cross-sectoral opinions from a broad spectrum and to utilize them for the management of the Future Society Initiative.
Seventeen members including an observer from outside of the university, as well as President Gonokami, executive vice presidents, and others, attended the meeting and discussed possible action plans under the three thematic subcommittees, "Responding to Global Crisis -Toward Sustainable Global Commons", "Overcoming Global Splitting and Knowledge Splitting" and "Creating Inclusive Innovation -Beyond Society 5.0-".
(September 2, 2019)
Symposium on Data-Driven Future Society held
The Symposium on Data-Driven Future Society was held at the Takeda Hall by the Data Platform Promotion Task Force, which plays an important role in the UTokyo FSI.
The objective of this symposium is to share the activity and discuss the direction towards the ideal society, Society 5.0, in which data is fully and better utilized everywhere. Approximately 240 people participated in this symposium from inside and outside of the University.
(May 14, 2019)
Signing ceremony of the agreement on the "Marine Waste Management Project" held with the Nippon Foundation
The University of Tokyo and the Nippon Foundation signed an agreement on the "Marine Waste Management Project" in order to contribute to countermeasures based on scientifically sound knowledge of the marine waste problem, which has become a major issue for humanity as a whole internationally.
In order to provide a scientifically sound foundation for a wide range of activities undertaken by the by the Marine Waste Management Project "CHANGE FOR THE BLUE", implemented under the initiative of the Nippon Foundation and various measures promoted by relevant domestic organizations or international cooperation, We will work on social dissemination of research and results on the behavior of plastics in the ocean and their biological effects, as well as the social scientific significance of the measures taken.
(March 25, 2019)
UTokyo Students Participate in Japan-ASEAN Students Conference
The "Japan-ASEAN Students Conference" was held from February 19 to 25, 2019, as part of JENESYS 2018, which is a series of people-to-people exchange programs between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
In this conference, a total of 143 university students and graduate students from 12 countries, including ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste and Japan, gathered as delegates on the theme of "The Youth of Asian Countries for the Realization of a Sustainable World."
They were divided into six thematic groups selected based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and deepened their exchanges through lectures, site visits and workshops by faculty members of the University of Tokyo and other experts.
In addition, they integrated the learning of each group and prepared the "Action Declaration" for the realization of a sustainable world.
The Multilateral Interaction with Students (MIS), an NPO led by students from the University of Tokyo, participated in the planning and management of the conference.
Tokyo College was established by the University of Tokyo on February 1st. It is a brand new institute where members of UTokyo collaborate with people from across the globe, discussing and creating a shared vision of an ideal future and bringing it to life. Professor Sir Anthony Leggett, a joint recipient of the 2003 Nobel Prize, has been appointed the honorary director.
At Tokyo College, leading scholars, promising young researchers and influential intellectuals will be interacting with researchers and students from UTokyo to inspire one another and generate new knowledge for the future, based on the central theme: “Earth and Human Society in 2050.”
Moreover, open lectures and events will be held in the framework of “the Joy of Discovery and the Power of Knowledge” in order to share with the wider public the wonders of academia and the role universities play in shaping the future of society.
(January 21, 2019)
14th Annual IARU Presidents' Meeting Held
The 14th Annual IARU Presidents’ Meeting (International Alliance of Research Universities) was held on January 21 at ETH Zürich (Switzerland), where the University of Tokyo was represented by President Makoto Gonokami, Professor Kiichi Fujiwara (Graduate Schools for Law and Politics), who is also a Special Assistant to the President, and Associate Professor Yasunori Kikuchi (Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science).
Member universities shared information on domestic and international issues impacting them as well as their internal policies. In particular, information and views were shared on the kind of actions each university should take regarding the large changes that are taking place in society.
Concerning the activities at UTokyo, President Gonokami reported on UTokyo’s Future Society Initiatives.
(January 16, 2019)
The 1st UTokyo Future Society Initiative Advisory Board Meeting Held
The 1st UTokyo Future Society Initiative Advisory Board Meeting was held at Sanjo Conference Hall in the University of Tokyo on January 16, 2019.
The purpose of this meeting is to seek the cross-sectoral opinions from a broad spectrum and to utilize them for the management of the Future Society Initiative.
Fifteen members from outside of the university, as well as President Gonokami, executive vice presidents, and others, attended the meeting.
A lively exchange of views took place about the status and strategy of the Future Society Initiative and the formation of a vision of future society beyond SDGs and Society 5.0.
The University of Tokyo and Daikin Industries Co., Ltd. concluded a "University Corporate Relations Agreement" to promote at an advanced level comprehensive collaborative research and personnel exchanges of both organizations, and collaborations with UTokyo related venture companies.
Through collaborative research aiming at the creation of future technologies facilitated by this agreement, we will create innovation around the "value of air" centering on its importance in future society, solve complex social issues, and create new business.
Based on the purpose of this agreement, we will create the three collaboration programs: "Cooperative creation of future vision", "Creating future technologies", and "Implementing new value in society, through collaboration with venture companies". We will also carry out full-scale personnel exchanges between the two organizations.
We will implement global internship programs at about 90 Daikin Industries production and development bases around the world. These programs for UTokyo students who will lead the next generation will be carried out in regions, forms and number of people never before seen previously.
(December 5, 2018)
UTokyo Extension Co., Ltd. Established
As a Designated National University Corporation, the University of Tokyo established UTokyo Extension Co., Ltd., which carries out services that utilize the results of research at UTokyo. In order to efficiently return the results of UTokyo’s world-class research activities to society, the company provides effective support for the training and consulting services allowed for Designated National University Corporations.
From April 2019, the company will start human resources development courses in mathematics and data science for office workers and others.
Six German junior experts, dispatched as part of the Japanese-German Junior Experts Exchange Program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, visited the Advanced Mobility Research Center (ITS Center) in the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo. The center is the central organization for the Advanced Mobility Innovation Project, a Future Society Initiative (FSI) project.
The visit likely provided first-time experiences for the group members, including the demonstration of driving simulators and mobility in the laboratory in the basement of the research facility. Participants raised questions and engaged in lively discussion.
(November 27, 2018)
Symposium Marks Signing a Framework Cooperation Agreement Between the University of Tokyo and UNDP
A signing ceremony and joint symposium related to the conclusion of the framework cooperation agreement between the University of Tokyo and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) were held at the University of Tokyo on November 27, 2018.
At the signing ceremony held in the newly renovated Sanjo Conference Hall, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and UTokyo President Makoto Gonokami met and discussed about further cooperation through the agreement. After the discussion, they signed the agreement.
Following the ceremony, the venue moved to the main conference room of the hall where the University of Tokyo-UNDP joint symposium, “Change the World: Challenges by the University of Tokyo and UNDP to Co-create a Sustainable Future,” was held.
After speeches by President Gonokami and Administrator Steiner, a dialogue session with students was held. About 100 participants took part and the event proved to be a great success.
(November 23, 2018)
Ceremony, Symposium Held for Conclusion of UTokyo’s Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with Mie Prefecture
To commemorate the conclusion of the University of Tokyo’s comprehensive partnership agreement with Mie Prefecture, a memorial symposium was held in the city of Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture.
In his memorial speech, UTokyo President Makoto Gonokami talked about the activities of UTokyo’s Future Society Initiative (FSI), the importance of regional cooperation and the vision for regional cooperation utilizing the Science Information Network (SINET) in the future.
Additionally, representing the Collaborative Research Organization for Future Regional Society, which is scheduled to set up its satellite office in Mie Prefecture, Director Hiroshi Matsubara and Professor Akiko Okabe participated as panelists at the symposium. They introduced the activities of the future satellite office in Mie Prefecture and delivered the message that ”there are many things we become aware of for the first time by working in a regional society.”
The agreement aims to form and develop a regional society with energy and distinguishing characteristics by dealing promptly and appropriately with regional challenges facing Mie Prefecture. It is expected to promote academic research at the University of Tokyo, and lead to collaboration and cooperation with the prefecture through human resources exchange and other means.
UTokyo FSI will strive to continue to publicize and communicate regional cooperation and social contribution activities
(November 19, 2018)
"Policies and Strategies for Utilizing Data – For a better Data-driven Society –” Held
"Policies and Strategies for Utilizing Data – For a better Data-driven Society –” was held at the Ito International Research Center by the UTokyo FSI and Policy Alternatives Research Institute (PARI).
In the opening session, UTokyo President Makoto Gonokami talked about the current status and issues of utilizing data, and his idea that each university can create new industries in collaboration with existing industries by utilizing SINET in order to create a better world. Also, he said discussions should be held with members of industry about past approaches, policies and strategies should be used in the future and communicated to society.
In the lecture sessions and panel discussion sessions, experts in diverse fields from both inside and outside the university exchanged opinions from various perspectives, such as case examples on data distribution and use, as well as utilization of SINET and business plan contests.
The agreement aims to form and develop a regional society with energy and distinguishing characteristics by dealing promptly and appropriately with regional challenges facing Mie Prefecture. It is expected to promote academic research at the University of Tokyo, and lead to collaboration and cooperation with the prefecture through human resources exchange and other means.
After the symposium, a social gathering was held, where speakers and participants engaged in lively conversation.
The University of Tokyo has published a magazine titled Future Society Initiative: Society 5.0 and the University of Tokyo.
The Future Society Initiative (FSI) is a framework at UTokyo to bring together research projects that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As of October 25, 2018, a total of 182 projects were registered by researchers under the FSI banner.
The magazine takes an in-depth look at researchers who are actively tackling challenges in the area of public health, a common theme underlying a large share of FSI projects. It also introduces six projects that demonstrate the breadth of research being carried out at UTokyo.
FSI intends to continue to publicize the university’s efforts to bring about Society 5.0, the latest stage of human development harnessing advances in science and technology.
(September 20-21, 2018)
IARU Senior Officers’ Meeting Held
The 14th IARU Senior Officers' Meeting was held at the University of Tokyo. 25 participants, including the Chancellor Carol T. Christ of UC Berkeley, who is the current IARU Chair, attended the meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Gonokami expressed his intention to serve as the next IARU Chair for two years, 2019-2020.
In the meeting, member universities shared information on domestic and international issues impacting them. Additionally, in a session to introduce each university’s activities, participants had an active discussion under the theme of “Campus Sustainability.”
(September 5, 2018)
The 1st Community Workshop for Utilizing Research Data Held
The 1st Community Workshop for Utilizing Research Data was held at the Ito International Research Center by the Data Platform Promotion Task Force, which play the important role in the UTokyo FSI.
The workshop aims for the formation of the campus community related to utilizing data. About 140 participants from inside and outside of the university discussed research activities presented by the researchers throughout the university intending to link the researchers and projects across the departments, promote the cooperation in the university, and link inside and outside of the university.
The message from President Gonokami, “We emphasize the importance of the data utilization and the role of the universities as hubs of the knowledge-intensive industry, and promote formation of this platform to realize Society5.0.”, was introduced.
After lectures and panel discussions, about 40 presentations were conducted at the poster session, which intends to form communities to promote the cooperation.
(May 5-6, 2018)
The President Gonokami Was Nominated and Confirmed as the Next Chair of the IARU for the Period 2019-2020
The 13th Annual IARU* Presidents’ Meeting (International Alliance of Research Universities) was held at Pekin University, where President Gonokami attended. Member universities shared information on domestic and international issues impacting them as well as their internal policies and discussed the role each university should play regarding the large changes that take place in society.
In the meeting, the President Gonokami was nominated and confirmed as the Chair of the IARU for the period 2019-2020, during which time the UTokyo will lead the IARU. Also, President Gonokami gave a keynote speech and reported on Society5.0 and the UTokyo’s the Future Society Initiatives at the World University President Forum and the Beijing Forum held on the day before the IARU Presidents’ Meeting.
*IARU (The International Alliance of Research Universities), established in 2006, is a network of eleven international research-intensive universities, whose members are the University of Tokyo, Peking University, Yale University, University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, ETH Zurich, University of Copenhagen, the Australian National University, National University of Singapore and University of Cape Town.
(April 16, 2018)
The University of Tokyo-UNIDO Joint Symposium “Young Wisdom, Innovation and SDGs” Held
The University of Tokyo-UNIDO Joint Symposium “Young Wisdom, Innovation and SDGs” was held at Ito Hall in the Ito International Research Center.
President Gonokami gave a speech at the symposium titled “Science, technology and innovation for SDGs: The University of Tokyo's approach.”
Also, Prof. Taikan Oki of the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, The University of Tokyo, acted as a moderator of the panel session.
(February 23, 2018)
Press Release Information: Proposal of Spin-wave-based Information Processing Chip Device and Demonstration of the Basic Principle
A press release about research achievement has been issued by the Social Cooperation Program on Energy Efficient Information Processing (EEIP-SCP) of the Institute for Innovation in International Engineering Education, which is one of the FSI projects.
A new spin-wave-based information processing chip device has been proposed. This device realizes wireless interactions corresponding to high-density and flexible wired interconnections between neuron units in artificial intelligence. The generalization ability of the proposed device for extracting features in unknown temporal input signals has been demonstrated by machine learning utilizing the spatiotemporal dynamics of spin waves.
It is hoped that this research achievement will lead to a realization of high-performance low-power terminal devices for promoting an IoT society.
(February 14, 2018)
International Conference “Sustainability and International Relations: Toward the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals” Held
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Policy Alternatives Research Institute (PARI), the University of Tokyo, the international conference “Sustainability and International Relations: Toward the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals” was held under the leadership of PARI’s SDGs Collaborative Research Unit.
Experts from both inside and outside the University exchanged opinions on topics including the correlation between the global environment, international conflicts, and economic development, as well as paths to realizing the SDGs in which perspectives and innovations from academic research can play a role.
(January 26, 2018)
President Gonokami Attends the 2018 Davos Forum
President Gonokami attended the 48th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held in Davos, Switzerland. He conversed with leaders from across the world about topics under this year’s theme of "Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World".
In the final session, Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and one of the Co-Chairs of the meeting, ended the meeting with a call to action: "leave no one behind".
(December 18, 2017)
The Policy Alternatives Research Institute Establishes the SDGs Collaborative Research Unit
In response to the activities of the UTokyo FSI, the SDGs Collaborative Research Unit has been established under the Policy Alternatives Research Institute (PARI).
PARI has previously promoted the SDGs as a research topic. The SDGs Collaborative Research Unit will become a hub of SDGs research at the University of Tokyo with collaboration throughout the University. Moreover, the Unit will further accelerate research on sustainability in the global environment, the associations between changes in the global environment and governmental conflicts, and sustainable economic development.
(December 14, 2017)
“Disrupting Development through Science, Technology and Innovation” Forum Held
Upon the occasion of World Bank President Jim Yong Kim’s visit to Tokyo, the World Bank Group and the Graduate School of Public Policy, the University of Tokyo co-organized the forum “Disrupting Development through Science, Technology and Innovation”. President Gonokami of the University of Tokyo spoke at this event.
In his speech, President Gonokami said that proper linking of social systems, economic mechanisms and STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) is important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, he discussed “STI for SDGs” activities of UTokyo which encompass the sciences, humanities and social sciences, while showing some projects registered under the UTokyo FSI as examples.
(October 1, 2017)
President Gonokami Co-chairs the University Presidents’ Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum 2017
President Gonokami co-chaired the University Presidents’ Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum 2017 held at Kyoto International Conference Center. Forty-five presidents and others from 23 countries participated in the meeting and held discussions under the theme of “Toward a Knowledge-Intensive World: The Role of the University in Enabling an Inclusive Society”.
The University of Tokyo will promote further strengthening of international collaboration and communication, centering on the UTokyo FSI.
(June 30, 2017)
UTokyo has been Selected as a Designated National University Corporation
Three national universities, including the University of Tokyo, have been selected as Designated National University Corporations. The Designated National University Corporations are expected to lead higher education overall and the reforms thereof through their own initiatives.
The University of Tokyo aspires to form a “global base for knowledge collaboration” to contribute to the future of humanity and the planet through utilizing a system of Designated National University Corporations and establishing the UTokyo Future Society Initiative (FSI) as an overseer of University reform.
The University of Tokyo established the UTokyo Future Society Initiative (FSI). Our activities will be communicated through this website.
Three national universities, including the University of Tokyo, have been selected as Designated National University Corporations. The Designated National University Corporations are expected to lead higher education overall and the reforms thereof through their own initiatives.
