A to Z of Research Projects

Outline :

Bioinformatics is a boundary field of biotechnology and IT. It is aimed at decoding of ciphertexts through computer analyses of genome array information as well as computer simulation, and hence restructuring of, a cell named 'E-CELL' based on knowledge of cell biology to carry out virtual experiments to forecast the reactions of gene manipulations and medicine additions. Apart from those, simulations of cells such as red blood corpuscle, E. coli bacteria, cardiomyocytes, and neuronal cells as well as investigations of metabolism of rice plant and diabetes are also performed.

Expected outcome :

The bioinformatics, especially computer modeling and simulation of a cell, attracts attentions as a new methodology to understand dynamic behaviors of complex intracellular metabolism recently. It can be considered one of the most important technologies of the 21st century in respects of medical treatment, drug development, industrial applications such as utilization of microorganisms and environmental clean-ups. The 'E-CELL project' as the cell simulation endeavor was launched in SFC in 1995, essential softwares for the simulation were developed, and a variety of cellular metabolism models have been constructed.

Total number of researchers : 17
Duration : 2002.07 ~

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University : Mitsuyasu ITAYA
Keio University : Akio KANAI
Keio University : Tomoyoshi SOGA
Keio University : Yasuhiro NAITO
Keio University : Rintaro SAITO

Link to the center

Established in 2001 on the Shinanomachi Campus, the Center aims to provide a sophisticated environment for translational research and scientific work, bridging the gap between basic science, clinical research and patient care through the creation of clusters in academia and industry. The Shinanomachi Research Park is a major component of the Center. It provides laboratory space for researchers not only from Keio, but also from other research institutions and industries to collaborate on independently funded projects. The unique research results achieved at the Center contribute to the development of medical practice and to the advancement of society.

Link to the center

This Center provides students from around the world the opportunity to learn not only the Japanese language, but also Japanese customs and culture. For regular undergraduate and graduate students who are not native speakers of Japanese, a Japanese as a Foreign Language program is available. One of its important goals is to encourage and improve upon the teaching of Japanese by cultivating the next generation of Japanese language teachers.

Outline :

The purpose of the project is understanding the hippocampal function at system level comparative approach. Therefore, variety of species, from birds to humans, is used. The hippocampus has considered having several functions but this project concentrates on integration of spatial and temporal information. Spatial and temporal cognitive functions are examined with electrophysiological, pharmacological, gene expression, functional brain imaging studies in addition to traditional lesion study.

Expected outcome :

There have been many researches on the hippocampus but most of them use the hippocampus as a "general model" of brain. This project examines different hippocampi as products of different history of evolution. Therefore, evolutionary perspectives of the hippocampal function should be given by this project.

Total number of researchers : 5
Duration : 2004.04 ~ 2008.03

Main collaborative researchers :
Hiroshima University : Shogo SAKATA
Doshisha University : Hiroshige OKAICHI
Showa University : Masaru MIMURA

Collaborative organizations :
Hiroshima University
Doshisha University
Showa University

Outline :

Researchers in humanities as well as in science and technology collaborate in the production of online contents for research and educational purposes in conjunction with Keio University Art Center and Keio University Library. Together the project is developing methods for high-resolution digitization and archiving of cultural heritage, especially through the digitization of rare books such as the Gutenberg Bible held in Keio as well as in overseas libraries, the production of digital contents, and the archiving of research materials (photographs, records, audiotapes and printed matters) made in the 20th Century.

Expected outcome :

This project is unique in that it is engaged in the digitization and archiving of cultural artifacts and production of digital contents as a coherent continuous research process. It develops advanced methodologies for the production of research-purpose high-resolution digital facsimiles and online research and educational contents, while it can also foster librarians and curators capable of handling various digital resources and archiving them for researches in the Humanities.

Total number of researchers : 8
Duration : 2001.04 ~ 2009.03

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University : Fujio MAEDA
Keio University : Takami MATSUDA
Keio University : Toru ISHIKAWA
Keio University : Masaaki KASHIMURA

Collaborative organizations :
British Library, UK
Chester Beatty Library, Ireland
Centre for Computing in the Humanities, King's College, London

Outline :

The objective of this project is development of researches on future regional strategic concepts for Asia through promotion of advanced interdisciplinary researches with emphasis on accumulation of knowledge related to environments and disaster prevention. More concretely, the following three projects are carried out in order to understand and monitor the status quo of Asia: 1) 'Digital Asia Platform Project' to construct spatiotemporal information infrastructure for Asia; 2) 'Digital Communityware Project' to promote mutual understandings among local communities through development and operation of the media browser featuring ontology for space and concepts; and, 3) 'Digital Asia Regional Strategy Project' to envisage hopeful future for Asia by utilization and integration of the preceding two projects.

Expected outcome :

* Construction of a system to actualize improvement of human security in the Asian region. Implementation of disaster management system to be constructed along with it.
* Contributions to CEOS (Community On Earth Observation Satellites) and GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems).
* Industrial and general utilizations of the media browser that is able to carry out mapping of diversified current affairs by executing processing based on spatial and conceptual ontology.

Total number of researchers : 32
Duration : 2004.04 ~ 2009.03

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University: Atsushi OKUDA
Keio University: Wanglin YAN

Collaborative organizations :
Kyodo News
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
University of Maryland
Working Group on Information Systems and Services, CEOS
Earth Observation and Geospatial Information and Communication Technologies
Global Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics Project

Outline :

This research project examines the health transition in modern Japan, c.1860-1960. It takes a comprehensive view about "health", and explores its three distinct aspects, namely medicine, patients, and diseases. In terms of methodology, it employs epidemiology and environmental studies, as well as more orthodox cultural and socio-political analyses. It also digitalizes databases and important documents and make them available on the web.

Expected outcome :

It pioneers an interdisciplinary field of of "health history", contributing health policy, medicine, epidemiology, ecology, as well as history. This is the first attempt of that kind in Japan.

Total number of researchers : 7
Duration : 2007.04 ~ 2010.03

Main collaborative researchers:
Aoyama Gakuin University : Wataru IIJIMA
Osaka City University : Kohei WAKIMURA
Juntendo School of Medicine : Mikio WATANABE

Collaborative organizations :
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (Kyoto)

Outline :

The Eliica project is a research endeavor to develop a vehicle with a new concept through formation of academic-industrial research organization consisting of Keio University and 38 enterprises. The car, Eliica, which combined lithium batteries and the body for the electric drive worked out by Keio University, was built jointly by the enterprises and students and academic staff of the university. While the Eliica project itself ended successfully by 2006, activities to put the prototype into practical use are continues as a part of the electric vehicle project.

Expected outcome :

The feature of this car is the facts that 1) it is environment friendliest in a lot of environmentally-friendly cars; 2) its safety is secured; and, 3) it is able to achieve high performance. In relation to the problem of global warming, it is noteworthy that the carbon dioxide of 20% is generated from running of the car. If the result of this project is utilized widely in future, its reduction to 1/3 or less may become possible.

Total number of researchers : 30
Duration : 2003.04 ~ 2006.10

Eliica in action.

Outline :

Along with the guideline drawn by the Development Assistance Committee of OECD, ex-post evaluations are conducted for two particular projects carried out in Thailand and Pakistan amongst ODA loan projects by Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The two projects to be examined are: 1) Regional Development Program II (Thailand); and, Rural Roads Construction Project (Pakistan). Roles of local governments in processes of participatory ODA loan projects are also to be examined, which is to make a proposal for future official development assistance programs.

Expected outcome :

Tangent points between theories and practices can be detected through the project evaluations on the basis of principles of economic science. Reports utilizing statistical methods leading to robust inferences even under the circumstance in which data availability is limited are aimed at.

Total number of researchers : 2
Duration : 2007.07 ~ 2008.08

Main collaborative researchers:
Keio University : Kazuhiro TAKANASHI

Discussion with local people in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Link to the center

Founded in 1983 as a commemorative project for the 125th anniversary of Keio University, the Center houses and maintains a considerable collection of documents and historical materials related to founder Yukichi Fukuzawa and Keio University. Other objectives are to conduct research on the activities and achievements of Keio alumni who were disciples of Fukuzawa, as well as to further the study of modern Japanese culture and Keio University’s role in the development of Japan in the modern era.

Outline :

The aim of this project is to bring about an innovation by covering everything from the application to the protocol system widely with optical technology that will be the core on next generation's network as the backbone network. The project executes pursuance of deep technological details as well as industry-university and international collaborations. Joint experiments with more than 10 domestic and foreign enterprises are carried out to operate real-time delivery of high-quality image contents by using the optical switch developed jointly with US startup company as well as newly standardized dynamic control of optical networks.

Expected outcome :

This project will actualize the network of the next generation of the internet based on www being currently dealing with emails and other poor contents by setting the optical technology as the core, and offer more interactive and higher-quality super-multimedia network services.

Total number of researchers : 40
Duration : 2007.04 ~ 2012.03

Main collaborative researchers :
NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories : Kouhei SHIOMOTO
KDDI R&D; Laboratories : Tomohiro OTANI
George Mason University : Bijan Jabbari
Polytechnic University : Jonathan Chao
Gent University : Piet Demeester

Collaborative organizations :
National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories
KDDI R&D; Laboratories
Hitachi, LTD
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
NEC Corporation
Fujitsu Laboratories LTD.
IP FLEX, Inc.
Epi Photonics, Inc.
George Mason University
Polytechnic University
Gent University

Experimental System of Scalable Grid Display with 24 monitor.

Performance measurement of PLZT optical switch that cooperated with the U.S. venture company.

Link to the institute

Established on the Mita Campus in April 2000, G-SEC represents a new type of research platform for the development of novel approaches to crisis management in a diverse array of fields and specific situations. Data gathered by research in a broad range of fields is examined and analyzed with the aim of developing collective solutions. Often, a succession of local issues results in a chain reaction eventually leading to a major crisis that extends beyond the region of immediate concern. A primary objective of G-SEC is to identify emerging crises in their initial stages. All Keio University institutions have access to G-SEC facilities.

Link to the center

The Health Center performs medical studies concerning the support and improvement of daily health for Keio students from elementary school to postgraduate school, as well as for staff members. Regarding children under 15, the Center’s full-time pediatricians are doing clinical research into areas such as growth, obesity, anorexia nervosa, infectious diseases and the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. Regarding those over 15 and staff, the Center’s full-time internists are doing various researches based on people’s annual health checkup. For lifestyle-related diseases, clinical studies are mainly performed about the genotypes relevant to a disease, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, bone metabolism, and fatty liver. Concerning respiratory diseases, the internists study bronchial asthma, provide nonsmoking instruction, and are evaluating of a new diagnostic method for tuberculosis (anti-tubercle bacillus antibody). They are also examining the usefulness of plasma BNP concentration measurement for diagnosing new cardiac diseases. The Center also has full-time psychiatrists who are investigating psychiatric disorders and maladjustment problems.

Outline :

Along with the recent trends of globalization, the system of nation-states is now in process of liquefaction, and regional integration are inclined to be enhanced. Especially in the European region, trans-nationalization is promoted by the EU. Its effects causing strong influences are shaking up raison d'etre of nation (sovereignty) states and transforming the international society. This research project aims at comprehensive studies of drastically changing the international society with inter-disciplinary approach.

Expected outcome :

The significance of the research project lies in the processes in which researchers with different academic background could carry out comprehensive analyses through brain-storming about the new trends of rapidly changing international society by globalization .It is sure that this will bring a new paradigm for the international society.

Total number of researchers : 20
Duration : 2007.09 ~ 2012.08

Main collaborative researchers:
University of Shizuoka : Yasuyuki KOKUBO
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies : Hirotaka WATANABE
Takasaki City University of Economics : Nobuhiko YOSHITAKE
Nagasaki University : Youko WADACHI
Hiroshima City University : Atsuko HIGASHINO
Shobi University : Masahide KOBAYASHI

Collaborative organizations :
University of Essex (UK)
Fudan University (China)
University of Caterbury (NZ)

Link to the institute

The Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB) is a full-fledged laboratory for bioresearch set up at the Tsuruoka Town Campus of Keio in 2001. Utilizing leading-edge biotechnology, the IAB measures and analyzes the cellular activities of organism and microbes, simulates various cell functions and activities by computer, and applies its findings to areas such as medical care and food fermentation. The IAB is gaining worldwide notice as a pioneer of integrated systems biology, a new IT-driven bioscience.

Link to the institute (The site is in Japanese only)

The Institute for Cultural and Linguistic Studies operates independently from the University faculties. As an institute for purely humanistic studies, it is unique in Japanese private universities. The central aim of the Institute is to meet contemporary academic demands connected with the study of human language, through studies of the languages and cultures of various parts of the world in different periods of history. Although the main focus of these studies is on linguistic problems, the Institute pursues its goals on an interdisciplinary level, independent from the language studies existing in other faculties.

Link to the institute

The Institute for Media & Communications Research was established in 1946 for the purpose of research and education in connection with mass communication. The founders believed that the obvious malfunctioning of Japan's mass media prior to and during WWII was one of the major factors contributing to the country's aggressiveness. They firmly believed that a "sound" flow of information was a prerequisite for a "sound" society. Researchers at the Institute have undertaken a wide range of projects, forming research teams with scholars from other Keio faculties and other institutions, and publishing their results in many books as well as journals.

Link to the institute (The site is in Japanese only.)

Shido-Bunko is a research institute for bibliography of Oriental Classics. Based on a private library donated by Takakichi Aso, the center holds about 140,000 books such as Japanese Classics, Chinese Classics, and basic studies. The Institute is responsible for field survey of Japanese and Chinese books, creating copies of classics using microfilm technology and digital photographing, comparison studies of various books and creating detailed bibliographical database.

Link to the institute (The site is in Japanese only.)

The Institute of Physical Education was established in 1961, as an organization for research and education associated with physical education and sports. It promotes extensive research into the mechanisms whereby physical activities contribute to mental and physical development and health, teaching theories related to physical education and sport science, and factors determining successful sports performance. The Institute’s research results are made available to students, faculty and student-athletes, as well as to residents of the Hiyoshi community through lectures and extension courses.

Link to the center

The Intellectual Property Center (IPC) was founded in 1998 to research issues related to intellectual property rights, with the aim of developing and promoting new policies that can be applied to society as a whole. The Japanese government has conferred Technology Licensing Organization status on the IPC, which is currently active in patent technology licensing in such technical fields as biotechnology, communications and new materials.

Link to the center

The International Center is Keio’s hub for international cross-cultural activities. In addition to providing academic and daily life support for foreign exchange students at Keio, the Center also assists Japanese students wishing to study abroad. It offers International Studies and Japanese Studies courses, given in English, that cover culture, history, politics and economics. There are also summer school programs in the UK, USA and France.

Link to the observatory

The Keio Economic Observatory (KEO) was established in 1959 for the purpose of conducting theoretical and empirical research on economic and industrial studies in the context of existing economic conditions in Japan. The Institute consists of three sections: Economics, Law and Behavioral Science. The Institute’s own research staff is supplemented with specialists from various Keio University departments.

Principal Tasks

The Observatory has five principal tasks:

1. To undertake research activities, both of an academic and practical nature, which increase our knowledge about reality and/or support the enhancement of social science theories.
2. To carry out research projects entrusted to it by industrial or governmental groups outside the University.
3. To collect reference books, documents and other materials concerning industrial and labor problems, making them available to researchers within and outside the University.
4. To publish periodical reviews.
5. To organize seminars and conferences on economic, labor and managerial problems.

Innovation is essential to society, and to promote new research and education approaches K-FRECS was established in 2001 at the Shin-Kawasaki Town Campus of Keio (K2) and the Tsuruoka Town Campus of Keio in Yamagata Prefecture (TTCK). At these locations various Keio faculties can come into direct contact with the local community. Under the auspices of local industry and government, Keio University's superior academic and human resources are applied to leading-edge research activities in the form of collaborations that transcend the traditional barriers surrounding academia.

Link to the Shin-Kawasaki Town Campus (The site is in Japanese only.)

Link to theTsuruoka Town Campus

Link to the institute

The Institute was founded in 1984 as the Keio Center for Area Studies, as part of the project commemorating the 125th anniversary of the founding of Keio University. In 2003, it was renamed the Keio Institute of East Asian Studies. The Institute enthusiastically promotes exchanges and joint projects with other research institutes, researchers, businesspeople, journalists, etc., as an arena for conducting studies on various East Asian issues in an interdisciplinary and comprehensive way.

Link to the institute (The site is in Japanese only.)

The Keio Leading-edge Laboratory was created in 2000 during a restructuring of the Graduate School of Science & Technology. Supporting research into cutting-edge technologies, the Laboratory ushers major advances into the real world, enabling new basic technologies to be applied by both public and private enterprises. Collective research results may generate not only new products, but even whole new industries. Additionally, the Laboratory hosts an annual exhibition at the Tokyo International Forum called "Keio Techno-Mall." Each year, more than 1,000 participants from both the private sector and the academic community contribute to the overwhelming success of the event.

Link to the laboratory (The site is in Japanese only.)

The Keio Research Center for Foreign Language Education serves the needs of students and faculty members across all Keio University campuses and affiliated schools. The Center provides foreign language education, research and services. In terms of education, it provides specialized classes such as those that prepare students for standardized tests, advanced classes, classes that focus on particular skills, and other classes that the individual faculties are unable to provide. The primary aim is to supplement the language classes provided by the various faculties. In terms of research, there are currently four projects aimed at improving foreign language education: a Policy Discussion Forum, a Self-study/ICT Development Team, an English Placement Development Team, and a K-12 English Forum. With regard to services, the Center provides a variety of lectures, workshops and study abroad programs.

English Education Coherence Symposium.

Plurilingual and Pluricultural Competence Development Unit Experimental Class.

Link to the institute

Established in 1996 on the Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC), the Institute supports the cutting-edge research necessary for education based on the identification of problems and the search for solutions. At present, the Institute utilizes SFC’s own advanced computer network to investigate, evaluate and formulate new policy approaches for corporate, governmental, NGO and academic institutions. Another objective is to find new ways to gather, propagate and analyze information related to the environment with the aim of expanding knowledge concerning environmental issues.

Outline :

SFC Incubation Village research consortium (SIV), which started in April 2002, was aimed to establish successful models of 'venture incubation' on the basis of the Shonan Fujisawa Campus of Keio University (SFC) and produce a number of good results. Although the consortium was "behind of the curve" and had to learn from domestic and foreign cutting-edge cases, it is now evaluated as one of the most active and leading organization within Japan, and acknowledged internationally as one of the 'venture incubators' representing Japan. SIV changes Keio SFC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Platform Consortium (KIEP), and extends activity in a concept by "practice". This consortium keeps developing research activities with the following themes:

• Planning and practice of research
  Conducting research projects in collaboration with outside organizations
  Cooperating and interacting in, partnership with universities and research institutes domestically and internationally
  Planning and holding of workshops, symposiums and educational activities
  Disclosing research findings

Expected outcome :

The number of enterprises participating consortium is increasing year by year. This consortium introduces the many results of research that the companies outside the university are hard to obtain, and offer advanced information to be provided from global cooperation, information of the SFC-related start-up companies, and plan a place of the interchange of the member companies.

Total number of researchers : 16
Duration : 2008.04 ~

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University: Jun MURAI
Keio University: Kenji KUMASAKA
Keio University: Yoshinori ISAGAI

Collaborative organizations :
Microsoft Corporation
FIGLA Co., LTD.
NIFTY Corporation
PFU Limited
Comap Incorporated
32 other companies and organizations

Outline :

The KTS and ToTCoP are longitudinal twin studies which aim to reveal genetic and environmental effects on human psychological, behavioral and neurophysiological traits such as cognitive abilities, personality, sociability, sensibility, brain activities and so on. The KTS is a young adult cohort with 1300 pairs of twins and the ToTCoP is an infancy and early childhood cohort with 5700.

Expected outcome :

The longitudinal twin study is to clarify higher order processes of human behavior from genetic point of view, which complement the molecular genetic approach.

Total number of researchers : 20
Duration : 2004 ~ 2009

Main collaborative researchers:
Keio University : Mitsuhiro OKADA
Keio University : Yutaka ONO
Keio University : Tatsushi TODA

Collaborative organizations :
Graduate school of arts and sciences, University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
Kokoro Reseach Center, Kyoto University

Outline :

This project presents a proposal for a legislation uniting communication and broadcasting in the IP age through investigations of technologies and the direction of the market in the area where communication and broadcasting are being merged as well as analyses of actualities of the corresponding legislations in US Europe and Korea thanks to participations of the specialists from US Europe, Korea and Japan. It is armed at holding an international symposium in February 2008, and expressing concerns by publishing the achievements.

Expected outcome :

Japanese Government is aiming at the approval of comprehensive telecommunication legislation in 2010, and this research project makes constructive proposals for its contents, and is expected to become the pilot for the new media (temporary termed 'next media') that is going to emerge in future.

Total number of researchers : 10
Duration : 2007.07 ~ 2008.03

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University: Motohiro TUCHIYA
Keio University: Yoriko FUJII
Keio University: Ichiya NAKAMURA
Keio University: Junghoon Kim
Kyushu University: Toshiya Jitsudumi
George Mason University: Thomas Hazlett
Essex University: Chris Marsden
The Economist: Kenn Cukier
Yonsei University: Myeongho Lee
Seoul National University: Sangbae Kim

Collaborative organizations :
The 21st Century Public Policy Institute

Outline :

In this research, construction of the new model for liberal arts education, namely university, is understood as 'knowledge community' that is freed from all the barriers in order to foster autonomy and sociality of learners. Its objective is to create a campus plan in which contents and fields of learning are integrated organically and comprehensively. Its organization consists of three units, researches on contents, formulation of environments for learning and developments of digital platforms for research activities and demonstrations of research results.

Expected outcome :

Three types of outcome are expected: 1) developments of new and Keio's original systematic programs for liberal arts education in which contents and fields of learning are integrated; 2) presentations of versatile concepts and ideas supporting originality of the programs; and, 3) developments and operations of information platform for collaborative researches, Hyper Digital Interface (HYDI).

Total number of researchers : 31
Duration : 2005.04 ~ 2008.03

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University: Chiaki YOKOYAMA
Keio University: Nozomi SATO
Keio University: Akihiko KONDO
Keio University: Hayato KOSUGE
Keio University: Takaaki KUMAKURA
Keio University: Kazumi SAKAI

Collaborative organizations :
DMC, Keio University
University of Tokyo
Reed College
Waseda University

Link to the center

The Research Center for the Arts & Arts Administration was founded in 1993 to explore new possibilities in the relationship between the arts and contemporary society. Staff members principally consist of professors from various Keio faculties and museum curators. The Center emphasizes a theoretical approach, but also maintains close ties with the contemporary art scene. As an academic hub of arts-related information, the Center aims to develop and improve people's perception of culture and the arts.

Link to the center (The site is in Japanese only.)

The Keio Research Center for the Liberal Arts was founded in 2002 in order to investigate for the ideal form and content of “liberal arts” that should be passed down to succeeding generations. Thus far, it has conducted various comprehensive research and analyses, suggested new systems and curricula based upon proposals resulting from the research, and examined the educational efficacy of those proposals through experimental classes and induction courses.

Outline :

The quantum computer based on silicon is designed and developed. Present computers work on the basis of the law of the classical mechanics that Newton and Maxwell established. On the other hand, a computer operating with the absolutely new concept based on the law of the quantum mechanics that Einstein et al. found in the 20th century is a quantum computer. Its implementation requires not just understanding of the quantum mechanics from its basics but also knowledge and technology to integrate creatively mathematical computer science and nanotechnology at an atomic level. We are hoping to produce such a revolutionary quantum computer by using 'silicon', the same material as present classical computers are made, as it works as a bridge between classical and quantum mechanics.

Expected outcome :

Expected outcome from this research project is a dream computer that transforms a part of impossibility of present computers into the possible.

Total number of researchers : 20
Duration : 2002.10 ~ 2031.03

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University : Toshiharu SAIKI
Keio University : Mikio ETO
Keio University : Eiji SAITOH

Collaborative organizations :
Stanford University
Technical University of Munich
Simon Fraser university

State-of-the-art nanotechnology facility for the quantum computer research

Outline :

SOI (School on Internet) Asia project that began in 2001 aims to contribute to the higher education in Asia by utilizing digital communication infrastructure. By adapting the satellite based Internet, broadband Internet infrastructure can be introduced in timely manner even in islands and rural area, where installations of optic-fibers are difficult to be developed in short time. Real-time lectures, archived lectures and other educational programs such as conference broadcasting, seminars, and faculty meetings can be conducted on the SOI Asia distance education environment. As of March 2008, the project has 27 partner universities and educational institutions in 13 countries, and many educational programs are conducted actively. In order to sustain the distance education environment, SOI Asia is also conducting annual operator workshops, and internship programs that invite local operators to SFC for 3 months.

Expected outcome :

As of February 2008, 19 university level courses including 243 lectures as well as 69 real-time sessions such as faculty meetings and international conference broadcastings have been conducted on the SOI Asia distance education environment. 6 operator workshops were conducted, and 16 individuals from 9 countries were invited to SFC as the interns. The project contributes to the sharing of educational resources and developments of human resources in Asia.

Total number of researchers : 10
Duration : 2001.08 ~

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University : Keiko OKAWA
Keio University : Achmad Husni Thamrin
Keio University : Shoko MIKAWA

Collaborative organizations :
Chulalongkorn University (Kingdom of Thailand)
Asian Institute of Technology (Kingdom of Thailand)
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Prince of Songkla Universit (Kingdom of Thailand)
National University of Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
University of Computer Studies, Yangon (Union of Myanmar)
University of Computer Studies, Mandalay (Union of Myanmar)
Brawijaya University (Republic of Indonesia)
Sam Ratulangi University (Republic of Indonesia)
Institut Teknologi Bandung (Republic of Indonesia)
Hasanuddin University (Republic of Indonesia)
Universitas Syiah Kuala (Republic of Indonesia)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia)
Asian Institute of Medicine, Science & Technology (Malaysia)
Institute Of Information Technology (Socialist Republic of Vietnam)
Hanoi University of Technology (Socialist Republic of Vietnam)
Vietnam National University (Socialist Republic of Vietnam)
Advanced Science and Technology Institute (Republic of the Philippines)
University San Carlos (Republic of the Philippines)
Tribhuvan University (Kingdom of Nepal)
Institute of Technology of Cambodia (Kingdom of Cambodia)
University of Health and Sciences of Cambodia (Kingdom of Cambodia)
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (People's Republic of Bangladesh)
Mongolian University of Science and Technology (Mongolia)
Temasek Polytechnic (Singapore)
Nara Institute of Science and Technology (Japan)

The Operator Workshop 2002 held in the Shonan Fujisawa Campus, Keio University.

Link to the center (The site is in Japanese only.)

With the aim of promoting clinical studies, education and research in the field of sports medicine, the Center was created in 1989. Its current projects are:

1. Preparation and practice of exercise prescription for the prevention and therapy of geriatric diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and osteoporosis.
2. Prevention and treatment of sports-related accidents and injuries. For instance, medical screening for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in professional sumo wrestlers (more than 900 men) is carried out by Center staff members.
3. Promotion of the competitiveness of Keio athletes as well as others, including Japanese Olympic athletes, based on scientific theory and practice.
4. Promotion of interaction among athletes, scientists, psychologists and medical doctors to provide new approaches to and perspectives on issues in exercise science and sports medicine.

Outline :

Coral atolls have been viewed as the most precarious landforms thus having an extremely severe environment for human settlements in the Oceanic realms. It appears that atoll islets of foraminiferal sand and coral shingle accumulated on reef flats are considerably weaker than high islands against sea-level rise and climatic fluctuation, but there should be the diversity of their vulnerability. This project aims to examine it by a viewpoint of landscape history that synthesizes archaeology, geo-science and historical anthropology.

Expected outcome :

While the chain of coral islets keeping separate a turquoise lagoon of each atoll from its surrounding ocean appears a typical Oceanic paradise, its surface environment has usually been portrayed as the opposite in geographic accounts as well as early historical documents. This stereotyped image is succeeded to scientific reports on the global warming and the future climatic changes as well. There is, however, the variety of atoll landscapes in contrast with the prevailing image of poor and monotonous ecosystem. The present landscape of a particular atoll must be viewed as a historical product invented through the entanglement between two agencies, natural and human. The holistic understanding of landscape history should, therefore, be helpful not only to evaluate the present vulnerability of a particular atoll but also to examine better and effective relationships between the two agencies so as to protect Oceanic atoll societies against future global warming. For instance, agricultural pit and bank complexes, consisting of remarkable undulations and tall trees on spoil banks, provide the diversity to atolls. Our geoarchaeological excavations in Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands, revealed this landscape had been invented since 1800 yr BP at least. In addition the latest GPS survey there illustrated that the distribution of agricultural pits fitted in well with the range of freshwater lens, the volume and quality of which is affected by the width and size of islet, and its permeability of underground sediments. The landscape of agricultural pit and bank complexes is a useful mark indicating good conditions in aspect of both land formation and human subsistence. The maintenance of pit-agricultural landscape as well as coast lines would therefore be crucial for Oceanic atoll island countries facing future sea level change and climatic crisis, although many pits have been already abandoned and covered with wild vegetations.

Total number of researchers : 4
Duration : 2006.04 ~ 2008.03

Main collaborative researchers:
Ochanomizu University : Satoshi TANAHASHI
University of Tokyo : Hajime KAYANE
Nippon Dental University : Shunji YOSHIDA

Laura Islet of Majuro Atoll in Marshall Islands, Eastern Micronesia.

Geoarchaeological excavation with local people in Majuro Atoll.

Link to the center (The site is in Japanese only.)

The Teacher Training Center acts as a Keio-wide magnet to attract educational and scholarly activities in all areas of school education. The Center provides a teacher-training course for college students who intend to be high school teachers, and has produced many competent teachers since its foundation in 1982. It is not only a "teachers' college" but also a research institute for teacher education in Keio University; accordingly it carries out research projects regarding educational issues. In connection with these projects, open seminars are held every year. In addition, the Center emphasizes recurrent education for in-service teachers, and therefore provides open seminars for teachers every summer and on other occasions of in-service training.

Outline :

The purpose of this research is to develop a practical device technology for displaying real 3D images into free space where nothing exists except for the air, based on the plasma light emission induced in the air by laser radiation. We also aim to open up a new industrial market of 3D contents along with the development of the technology. To achieve those purposes, we will perform the research and development for the 3D display device with high quality and large display space, and for the basic technology to create 3D contents for the 3D display device. We will also investigate social demands for 3D media contents along with empirical experiments applying the 3D display device to practical advertisements.

Expected outcome :

In five years, we would like to demonstrate that the 3D space display can be used for some practical applications. One of our target is outdoor advertisement, like an application where people in wide area could see the same contents from everywhere at the same time. Other interesting application will be illumination entertainment in the space, such as fireworks. Especially in Japan, fireworks show is one of the most popular entertainment events in summer season. In the same frame of mind, we already found numerous entertainment applications based on the 3D display device.

Duration : 2006.10 ~ 2011.03

Main collaborative researchers :
Keio University : Toshiyuki MURAKAMI
Keio University : Taro UCHIYAMA
Keio University : Vincent Nozick

Collaborative organizations :
Aerio Inc.
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
University of Tokyo
Dentsu Inc.

Laser-Plasma Scanning Free Space Display, that can draw 3D image in the space by generating luminescence at arbitrary point in air based on the light emission of laser-plasma phenomenon.