Greetings from Kyoto-U

SPRING 2010
Issue

Raku-Yu

Kyoto
University
Newsletter

17

C O N T E N T S

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2

Editor in Chief

Kyoto and Kyoto University for International Students

Yasushi TONAGA

Shuzo NISHIMURA, Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University

SPECIAL FEATURE

Associate Editor

Kyoto University Navigating the Era of International Competition

-- Promoting International Collaboration and Tie-Ups

Naoko SAITO

Hiroshi MATSUMOTO, President of Kyoto University and

Shinya YAMANAKA, Director of Center for iPS Cell Research and Application

Patricio-Nunez ABINALES
Junko HASHIKATA
Takumi IKEDA
Yuko KIZU
Satoshi MATSUSHITA
Mitsuhiro SHISHIKURA
Chisa SHUKUNAMI
Junko TAKAMI
Setsuhisa TANABE
Keiichi TODA

FEATURES

A New Global COE Program: Sustainability / Survivability Science for

a Resilient Society Adaptable to Extreme Weather Conditions
Program Leader: Kaoru TAKARA, Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute

Academic Cooperation and Exchange Memorandum signed with

the ASEAN University Network (AUN)
Foreign language Publication of MANGA Kyoto University

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Forefronts of Research at kyoto University

Discovery of a small molecule that inhibits the playmaker of fat synthesis

Editorial Collaborator

Motonari UESUGI, Professor, Research Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences

KOSOSHA CO.,LTD.

Essay
Printed by

In search of Ancient Texts and their Proper Interpretations

KOSAIDO CO.,LTD.

Diwakar ACHARYA, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Indological Studies, Faculty of Letters

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Interview

My dream is to contribute to the efforts to create an egalitarian world order.

Multitudes of actions at various levels are required in order to realize this dream.
Bhaskar GAUTAM, graduate student, the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies (ASAFAS)

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Senior Editors

What's Happening in International Relations

The 1st Vietnam-Japan University Presidents' Conference
President Hiroshi Matsumoto attends the 6th China-Japan University Presidents' Forum
Zhejiang University holds "Kyoto University Days"

The Committee of Public Relations

of Kyoto University
A Note on Order of Names
As a general rule, names appearing
in Raku-Yu are written in given
name/family name order.

PROMENADE

Fushimi Inari Shrine A religious space filled with the prayers of the people

Raku-Yu means to respect,

treasure, and enjoy
one's friendship.

Editor's Notes
Globalization has affected the scene of cross-cultural relationships. A drive towards one language, one world is promoted
as a vision of a globalized world. To become cosmopolitan in todays globalized context, we face new challenges: how to
expand the boundaries of cultures without losing those cultures in the boundless forms of standardization and assimilation;
and how to avoid a retreat from cosmopolitanism into the narrowness of reactionary forms of patriotism. In response to
these challenges, it is hoped that this volume of Raku-Yu will open new prospects in various ways especially through its
publication of the dialogue between President Hiroshi Matsumoto of Kyoto University and Professor Shinya Yamanaka.
Front Picture: the Chinretsukan
Since its establishment in 1897, Kyoto University had planned to build a
museum for storing and managing scientific specimens. After 1907, when the
College of Letters - predecessor to the Faculty of Letters - was established,
collecting activities for arts, archaeological, geographical and other materials
accelerated. From the necessity of storing and managing those arts and
materials in order to continue research, the Chinretsukan (exhibition hall)
was built in 1914 as an attached facility to the College of Letters. Thanks to
its precious collections that were remarkable as those owned by the single
department, many scientific achievements that received domestic and
international attention were realized there. Later, in 1959, the hall was renamed
Hakubutsukan (museum) and its functions as a museum, including publication
of collection catalogues, were strengthened. These achievements were properly
passed on to the present-day Kyoto University Museum, completed in 2001,
where other collections owned by scientific departments were incorporated.

This name was taken from the

assembly hall called "Raku-Yu
Kaikan " that commemorated
the 25th anniversary of the
founding of Kyoto University.

This gorgeous building is basically Neo-Baroque at large, featuring the

pediment at the entrance, the round small window above it and the
turret on the ridge of the roof, with Secession designs also adopted in
detailing. The building is a national registered tangible cultural property.

Shuzo NISHIMURA Dr. Nishimura was born in Kyoto in 1945 and has held
the position of Executive Vice-President since 2006. For the first 2 years, he took
on a leading role in the implementation of initiatives for the internationalization of
Kyoto University as the supervisor for International Relations. Last year, his effort
was materialized as K.U. PROFILE Program (a program that enables students to take
courses and obtain degrees in English) and was a driving force behind the Program
being selected by the Global 30 Project for Establishing Core Universities for
Internationalization promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology. Then from 2008, as an Education and Student Affairs supervisor,
Dr. Nishimura commenced the implementation of initiatives for students in Japan to
study abroad by enhancing programs such as short term training courses.
I feel very lucky to hold such a position. Since I transferred from the position of
International Relations supervisor to Education and Student Affairs supervisor,
I have been able to combine the promotion of the internationalization of a university with the previous program that focused on the education of international
students studying in Japan. Its just a pity that now I do not have time to go to the
opera which I enjoy so much, Executive Vice-President Nishimura remarks. Dr.
Nishimura eagerly performs activities everyday to greatly increase Kyoto Universitys
profile in the world.

Kyoto and Kyoto University for International Students

My guess is that about ninety percent of language used
in conversation at the Kyoto University campus is Japanese,
although more than half of the people on campus can understand and can speak English. In classes, especially in graduate
courses, both professors and students use English, when at
least one student cannot understand Japanese. These are the
typical examples of the present situation of language used at
Kyoto University.
Recently Kyoto University launched a new project
called K.U. PROFILE (Kyoto University Project for Future
International Leaders). This project aims to provide talented
students from around the world with the instruction, research
experience and global perspective they need to become worldclass leaders in their fields. The program comprises of eleven
masters and doctoral courses and one undergraduate course in
English. Special emphasis is placed on the way students can
obtain degrees without understanding Japanese.
While, through this project, Kyoto University welcomes
international students who cannot understand Japanese, we
still recommend that they learn about the Japanese language
and culture, after coming to Kyoto. We want them to appreciate the unique characteristics of Kyoto University, which
is located in a city considered by many to be the heart of
Japan. Kyoto is a city of striking natural beauty, numerous
historical sites and deep traditional culture.
Although we are preparing to provide several English
courses on both Japanese and Asian history and culture, students are advised to study Japanese, possibly with Chinese and
Korean.

Kyoto Universitys academic style is characterized by

three words, free-thinking, self-reliance and dialogue. We
encourage our students to pursue study and research based on
their own personal interests and talents, as this often leads to
innovation and new discoveries. We encourage international
students to follow these approaches. Professors will warmly
supervise these kinds of approaches and will engage in active
discussions. Many of our alumni, including five Nobel Prize
laureates, approve of these approaches.
Finally, let me talk about myself. I was born and grew up in
Kyoto. I spent several years in Yokohama (Japan), Cambridge
and Boston (United States) and York (England). All of these
cities are international cities. While I love all these cities, my
most favorite city remains to be Kyoto. I am proud of being
a citizen of Kyoto. Everywhere in Kyoto we can see surrounding mountains in three directions. Kamo River is also an
important symbol of Kyoto. Furthermore, ample amounts of
clean water allows us to produce sake (Japanese rice wine).
Some say that Kyoto is hot and humid in summer and very
cold in winter. Although this is true, it is quite comfortable in
spring and in autumn. This kind of dramatic change in climate,
I believe, makes us aware of the harmony between nature and
human kind. I invite all of you to experience Kyoto.

Shuzo NISHIMURA
Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University

Special Feature

Kyoto University Navigating the

Era of International Competition
Promoting International Collaboration and Tie-Ups
With economic activities and information communications becoming increasingly globalized, the academic research
community is experiencing a growing trend of international collaboration and tie-ups in research. Meanwhile, the
community is also facing ever more intensified international competition for innovative research results and related
intellectual properties. This issue of Raku-Yu features a dialogue between President Hiroshi Matsumoto, who takes the
initiative in developing Kyoto University into a more internationalized organization, and Professor Shinya Yamanaka,
the worlds leading researcher into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)*, the first scientist in the world who
succeeded in generating such cells from human skin cells. The two interlocutors discussed diverse issues, including a
number of challenges in internationalizing universities and facilitating international interactions among researchers.

International collaboration and

tie-ups based upon trust between
individuals
Hiroshi Matsumoto: At Kyoto University,
a considerable number of international joint
research projects have already been implemented by our researchers at an individual
level, and we are aiming to promote further
internationalization of research activities as a
university-wide effort. Your research into iPS
cells are being conducted internationally more
than ever before, involving a large number

of researchers not only from Japan, but also

from Europe and the U.S., and more recently
from other Asian countries and regions. You
are also pursuing your research beyond
national borders, and belong to an American
institute as well. Furthermore, your research
has attracted the interest of European and East
Asian researchers. Now that your research
activities into iPS cells are at the forefront of
worldwide efforts in this field, they are, in a
sense, an ideal model of international joint
research. Professor Yamanaka, would you
share your views and experiences regarding
how researchers can collaborate internationally
in their research activities?
Shinya Yamanaka: The Center for iPS Cell
Research and Application (CiRA), which I
direct, is vigorously promoting international
collaboration. We have official tie-ups with
the University of Toronto in Ontario Province,
Canada, and the Gladstone Institute of

Cardiovascular Disease of the University of

California, San Francisco, in the U.S. Since
progress in this field is extremely rapid, active
collaboration with overseas institutes is now
a requisite for efficient research. But at the
same time, we have to be aware of the fact that
such institutes are our rivals. I realize that it
may not be easy to strike a delicate balance
between collaboration and competition, but
nevertheless, what I believe is important for
us is to become acquainted with overseas
researchers and nurture good relationships
on an individual basis. And by doing so, we
are building desirable relations with overseas
researchers, so that we can work together with
them on crucial issues in research processes,
while at the same time being in rivalry. This is
the current situation we are in.
HM: I often cite my belief: Academic research
and education inevitably embodies human
relations around the truth. The prerequisite for

* iPS cells

President Hiroshi MATSUMOTO

In animals, only fertilized eggs have the capability of developing into any kind of organ or tissue, or
pluripotency. Cells produced by artificially giving this capability to somatic cells are called iPS cells
or induced pluripotent stem cells. Professor Yamanaka and his team succeeded, for the first time in the
world, in generating iPS cells derived from mouse cells and reported it in 2006. They also announced the
generation of iPS cells from human skin cells in November 2007.
Since then, iPS cells have been in the spotlight as a ground-breaking technology that can open up new
possibilities for regenerative medicine and for treatments for intractable diseases, because rejection in
patients can be avoided by using iPS cells that are produced from the patients own cells. iPS cells also
show promise for a range of other applications, including new drug development.
2

joint research efforts is mutual trust between

researchers, whether the counterpart is an
individual researcher or a group. But obviously, many people have many minds, so its
sometimes challenging to ensure an optimal
coordination among researchers, and therein
lies one of the difficulties in proceeding with
joint research. I guess you might have also
experienced a similar difficulty. How do you
cope with this issue at the Gladstone Institute,
where youve been working as a visiting scientist since 2007? Are you enjoying working
there?
SY: Yes. Actually, I worked at the Gladstone
Institute 15 years ago as a postdoctoral fellow.
I feel it is like my second home. What I learned
there helps me to overcome the difficulties.
HM: My area of expertise is space science.
In overseas institutes of this area, in general,
although each researcher has a relatively small
room, they share a spacious common floor,
where they enjoy active discussions over a
cup of coffee or tea. And they often hit upon
good ideas during such discussions. At the
Gladstone Institute, which specializes in life
science, I suppose there are similar exchanges
of ideas in various locations, including in the
experimental labs.
SY: Many life science institutes in Western
nations, not just the Gladstone Institute,
design their new research buildings to incorporate open laboratories. Professors labs are
not compartmentalized, and all researchers
share a spacious common laboratory. CiRAs
new building, scheduled to be completed in
February 2010, has introduced this openspace concept. As a basis for international
exchange, we should also attach importance
to interactions with domestic researchers in
Japan and even on the same campus. I want to
make interactions within CiRA more active and
deeper, and in this respect, I find the research
style employed in the Gladstone Institute and
other Western institutes quite instructive.
HM: I suppose the field of iPS cell research
will be more comprehensive, involving a
broader range of study. To successfully
work in this field, I think it is helpful for
researchers to have frank conversations in a
shared space, over a cup of coffee maybe, and
actively exchange ideas with, or sometimes
challenge the ideas of, other researchers

who are engaged in different research activities in related fields. It is especially the case
for researchers in the iPS cell and other
experiment-oriented fields and those in other
cutting-edge fields who are making progress
at lightning speed. A small tip can lead to a
big stride toward the next stage. Through
mutual inspiration, research advancement can
be expedited. Meanwhile, after you visit the
Gladstone and other overseas institutes and
interact with researchers there, you will be
expected to bring new ideas and knowledge
back to Japan and share them with Japanese
researchers. What do you think is the ideal way
to do this?

Institute as a visiting scientist in 2007, I

noticed a considerable change in this awareness there. Actually, it took one to two years
to conclude an agreement related to collaborative research with the Gladstone. I recognize
that the approach we take regarding intellectual property rights will be a critical issue
in proceeding with future international joint
projects. While we need a proper arrangement
regarding these rights to facilitate a project,
taking too much time to establish such an
arrangement may obstruct the joint research.

Intellectual properties as weapons

and barriers in international joint
research
SY: American researchers have a strong
awareness of intellectual properties. I hope
we can enter into robust collaboration with
the Gladstone Institute, the University of
Toronto and other institutes, so that we can
freely exchange new ideas and knowledge with
them. But there is still a long way to go before
reaching this goal.
HM: I think youve pointed out a significant
issue in considering how academics and other
research institutes should promote future international exchange in research activities. For
instance, it is natural for you, as a researcher,
to seek to share human resources, ideas and
intellectual properties between CiRA, based in
the new building, and other institutes located
overseas. But on the other hand, such free
sharing and exchange may not necessarily
be allowed due to diverse policies employed
by different institutes in different countries
and regions, regarding how to deal with their
intellectual properties. What do you make of
this issue? And how do you envisage its future
direction?
SY: About 15 years ago, when I worked as a
postdoctoral fellow in the U.S., I dont think
American researchers were as highly aware
of intellectual property rights as researchers
are today. They exchanged data and materials
relatively freely, and there wasnt a huge gap
in data and material availability between Japan
and the U.S. When I returned to the Gladstone
3

Profile
Shinya YAMANAKA
1987 Graduated from Faculty of
Medicine, Kobe University
1993 Completed doctoral program,
Graduate School of Medicine,
Osaka City University
Postdoctoral Fellow, Gladstone
Institute
2003 Professor, Research and Education
Center for Genetic Information,
Nara Institute of Science and
Technology
2004 Professor, Institute for Frontier
Medical Sciences, Kyoto University
2007 Senior Investigator, Gladstone
Institute
2008 Director, Center for iPS Cell
Research and Application

HM: The iPS cell research you are involved

in is a relevant and significant field in terms
of both intellectual property and academic
research. There are a number of challenges
lying ahead, and we need to tackle them.
If we fail to claim and protect our due rights
regarding intellectual properties, we may fall
behind in the research race, possibly leaving
a negative impact on the general public in
Japan. But at the same time, attempts to
protect these rights may potentially decelerate
research advancement, due to competing
claims between counterparts. Balancing these
conflicting factors will be an important focus
we will have to address down the road.

Importance of research assistants

RAKU-YU: Recently, there has been a growing
requirement for universities to enhance their
contribution to society by actively disseminating and applying their research outcomes
in society, and in this regard, there are a lot of
discussions about how industry-governmentacademia collaboration should be promoted
to boost such contribution. Do you think such
collaboration as seen in Western nations,
particularly in the U.S., will be a model for us
to follow? Or should we explore an original
way that is unique to Japan? Would you share
your opinion, Professor Yamanaka?
SY: In my opinion, the American way will be a
useful model, given the fact that the U.S. is far
ahead of us in such collaboration, and has a
huge market. I think we will need to model our
way on theirs to some extent. As for collaboration in joint research, 15 years ago, a project

was usually negotiated between researchers

alone. But recently, an American researcher
attends such a negotiation as part of a team of
four or five that includes assisting members,
such as an interpreter, an attorney, a business representative and others. In contrast, a
Japanese researcher has to attend such negotiations still alone. When it comes to practical
business, he or she cannot negotiate on a level
playing field. Therefore, to support Japanese
researchers, I strongly feel we need to secure
a large number of staffs who can assist them
with an advanced level of expertise, negotiation ability and language proficiency. Attracting
capable researchers is no doubt important, but
Japanese universities should attach the same
importance to securing capable people who
support researchers.
HM: I agree. In your case, some assistance
has been provided by members of Kyoto
University Office of Society-Academia
Collaboration for Innovation. In addition,
recently, capacity building for such supporting
functions has been taking place at CiRA. But
there still remains room for improvement.
Meanwhile, research practice requires such
assistants as experimental technicians and
data analysis specialists, and these members
are generally categorized as research assistants. In the U.S., there are approximately 0.5
assistants per researcher. But in contrast in
Japan, the number of assistants per researcher
currently stands at less than a fifth of the
U.S. level. There is a huge gap between the
two countries. It is absolutely necessary not
only for Japanese universities but also for
the government to recognize the importance
of research assistants. American researchers
can concentrate on their research activities at
all times, thanks to ample support provided
by research assistants. This may partly explain
why numerous research papers are published
in the U.S.: researchers work in teams that
include research assistants. Given this situation, Japanese researchers have competed
comparatively well against them. In this
respect, a clear recognition must be shared in
Japan that the research budget should cover
all of the research-related costs, including
personnel expenses for research assistants in
addition to costs for facilities and equipment.
SY: Exactly. Japan has placed emphasis on
4

science and technology as a key locomotive

in developing the country. But just nurturing
scientists is not enough; it is also necessary
to value research support officials as equal
partners of researchers, and to take measures
to increase the number of such specialists.
RAKU-YU: This issue needs to be urgently
addressed, or it will become difficult for Kyoto
University to reinforce its role as a major
hub for disseminating cutting-edge scientific
knowledge to the world. In spite of the relatively unfavorable research environment in
Japan that weve just discussed, Professor
Yamanaka succeeded in making the brilliant
discovery that astonished the world. This was,
of course, down to your excellence. But that
aside, what do you think was, and is, helpful in
the Japanese research system? Do you find any
strength unique to Japan?
SY: Comparatively speaking, the Japanese
side has huge advantage in the diligence of
its researchers. Japanese students work
very hard. But apart from that, the American
research system is generally superior to
Japans superior in research environment,
support systems, research budget, and so on.
In particular, there is a noticeable gap between
the two countries in the social status of
researchers. American researchers are highly
respected in society. The American public is
fully aware of the importance of researchers
without whom they cannot benefit from new
medicines and treatments. So, some wealthy
individuals personally donate generous sums
to basic research institutes, equivalent to one
billion to two billion yen (approximately 11
million to 22 million USD at the moment).
RAKU-YU: Compared with researchers in
Western nations, what aspects do you think are

In 2009, Professor Yamanaka received the Albert

Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, the most
prestigious medical award in the U.S. Photo: Prof.
Yamanaka delivering address at award ceremony

Special Feature

characteristic of Japanese researchers, other

than diligence?
SY: Japanese researchers tend to value traditional ways, and dont easily leap at passing
fads. But at the same time, they necessarily
lag behind their overseas counterparts when
new technologies rapidly emerge. For example,
a technology called DNA microarray, which
enables us to investigate tens of thousands of
genes in a moment with semiconductor technologies, was developed in the U.S. about 15
years ago, but it took two to three years before
this technology finally spread in Japan. That
was very frustrating for me. To avoid repeating
such a delay, I want to push iPS cell research
forward, ensuring the permeation of the new
technology. Looking back over the past two
years since I reported the success in generating human iPS cells, I think research in this
field has advanced considerably, but I still feel
some regret that we didnt disseminate the
technology still further. Im determined to gear
up to accelerate our research in the next year
or two.

Researchers telling their own visions

SY: I like the word VW, which I learned
from the leader of the Gladstone Institute.
This means someone who is capable of both
having Visions and Working hard can achieve
a success. While most Japanese researchers
are hard workers, I am afraid there are not so
many who can spell out the visions of their
own research activities. They may find themselves being pressed at all times with daily
experimental tasks, without having clear goals.
It is difficult to ponder your own vision while
working a packed schedule.
HM: To help develop a pipeline of talented
human resources, we need to persuade the
government and the public that losing international competitiveness in science research
means a setback for our country. However, it
appears that Japanese researchers are often
reluctant to communicate the applications and
usefulness of their researches. Compared to
American counterparts, Japanese researchers
seem to be relatively weak at explaining the
cause and significance of their research activities, and articulating their own visions.
SY: I totally agree with you. Japanese

researchers should make further efforts to

communicate information to the public,
regarding what research they are doing and
how it is useful. I dont think the general public
in Japan fully understand the real importance
of science research. There is no doubt that
researchers should channel most of their time
into research as their duty. But still, they must
not avoid efforts to encourage the public to
understand their research activities. This is
also their duty.
HM: Regardless of the field of study,
researchers are required to communicate what
they are researching and for what purposes.
I know you have maintained, from the beginning, a clear goal of regenerative medicine for
human beings, and you also recognize your
current position on the path to that goal. You
have a vision of your research. Other Japanese
researchers should have a vision, like you, and
communicate it more frequently to the public.
SY: Regarding iPS cell research, we happen
to be involved in the last activities just before
reaching the final goal. We first succeeded in
generating iPS cells from mouse fibriblasts,
and now the goal of applying human iPS cells
in humans is taking shape; we have entered
a totally different phase from the past. We are
approaching the threshold of realizing our
goal. In the past, I did not think our research
would immediately contribute to anything. I
kept working with the hope that our research
would provide a basis for other researches, so
that would gradually accumulate to produce
something useful one day in the future. I just
wanted to be one of the major players in a
game involving numerous people. But now,
we happen to have received the ball of iPS
cell technology. In terms of rugby, we must
definitely score a try without
fail. So we are now standing
on a totally different stage,
compared to the situation
three to four years ago.
HM: CiRA will be graded up
to an institute.(The English
name of the institute is the
same as the current one: the

CiRAs new research building that

was completed in February 2010
external appearance

Center for iPS Cell Research and Application

(CiRA)) The construction of the new building
of this newly established institute is slated to
be completed this coming February, and your
research environment will thus be improved.
The next focus is how we can build an attractive system that will enable us to gather
capable human resources. And after all, this
could not be achieved without a leader, like
yourself, who is visionary and enthusiastic.
SY: I want to help enhance the fame of Kyoto
University worldwide. I and all CiRA members
will make all-out efforts to generate new knowledge and disseminate it from the new intitute.
HM: Meanwhile, it is of prime importance for
us to be determined and poised to improve
our research environment by ourselves.
Researchers should be aware of their important
responsibilities and roles in sending a clear
message to the public, with firm confidence,
that their researches are being conducted not
for the benefit of researchers themselves but
for the sake of the general public..

Features1

A New Global COE Program: Sustainability/Survivability Science for

a Resilient Society Adaptable to Extreme Weather Conditions
On June 15, 2009, Sustainability/
Survivability Science for a Resilient
Society Adaptable to Extreme Weather
Conditions was adopted as one of the
Global COE (GCOE) Programs. This
newly adopted program (GCOE-ARS
for short) focuses on how human
beings and human society could adapt
to global transformations including
climate change that brings about
extreme weather and changes in water
cycle, population increase, urbanization, desertification, etc. It emphasizes
scientific explanation and prediction of
weather and hydrological disasters as
well as social adaptation to such events.
The Disaster Prevention Research
Institute (DPRI) and the Research
Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere
(RISH) have sought to establish a
new educational unit around these
themes in the fiscal year of 2010
in cooperation with five graduate
schools (Graduate Schools of Science,
Engineering, Informatics, Agriculture
and Global Environmental Studies). In
this educational unit, we plan to foster
research at the graduate school level by
combining engineering and science, and
integrating social and natural sciences.
Students who enter one of the above
graduate schools and want to take the
GCOE-ARS program must enroll in this
educational unit, attend interdisciplinary
classes, and participate in an internship, field research, interdisciplinary
seminars, and international schools.
Graduate students who have studied
two years or more in the GCOE-ARS
program and meet the specified
requirements will receive certificates
of completion. In order to obtain their
academic degrees, students will have

to fulfill the requirements specified

by each graduate school and submit a
dissertation.
Thus, the educational unit aims to
foster specialists with a generalists
perspecitive by encouraging students
and young researchers from various
backgrounds, conduct interdisciplinary
and unique research, and develop
systematic knowledge and expertise.
This objective corresponds to Kyoto
Universitys mission of contributing
to a harmonious coexistence within
human and ecological community on
this planet.
Field research will be conducted at a
number of domestic and overseas field
research and education sites in Niger,
Kenya (or Tanzania), India, Thailand,
Indonesia, and Fiji. We set up two
research themes in which students and
young researchers can participate:
Theme 1: Science-engineering integrated research on extreme weather,
water cycles and disaster prediction/
observation
Theme 2: Humanities-sciences integrated research on social adaptation to
abnormal weather and chronic meteorological hazards
These themes will provide opportunities
for education and ORT (On Research
Training).
Located in humid climate and tectonic
zone, Asia has out-of-control overpopulation and land development. Africa
has arid and semi-arid regions and also
tropical rainforests. Environmental
conditions in these areas are more
severe than in other areas of the world.
Consequently, this makes the region
especially susceptible to extreme
weather. The state of the peoples liveli6

Program Leader:
Professor Kaoru TAKARA

hood and economy in these areas have

profound implications for survivability
of humans on the Earth. At the same
time, the changes in the region require
adaptation strategies to cope with more
difficult conditions expected in the
future. We will pursue sustainability/
survivability science and foster worldleading experts by developing practical
research in these areas in the world.
Many talented individuals from all over
the world are welcome to participate in
this program, to develop their skills and
expertise, and become internationally
active professionals.
See latest updates at:
http://ars.gcoe.kyoto-u.ac.jp/

Features2

Academic Cooperation and Exchange Memorandum signed with

the ASEAN University Network (AUN)
December 18, 2009
Kyoto University signed a general
memorandum for academic cooperation
and exchange with the ASEAN University
Network (AUN), for the purpose of
pursuing activities in the field of sustainable energy and environmental studies.
The AUN currently has twenty-two
member universities from ten countries
including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia
and Malaysia among others. The signing
of this memorandum opens for Kyoto
University, a wide spectrum of activities relating to cooperative research and
the exchange of academic information,
researchers and students with the AUN
member universities and their countries.
This is the first case in which a university
in Japan has concluded a memorandum
of understanding with a group of universities representing all of the ASEAN
countries. Based on the developments of
this meeting, Kyoto University hopes to
build stronger cooperative relations with
the ASEAN countries.
The signing ceremony was carried
out at the Government of Thailands

Ministry of Education Office, with Kyoto

University represented by Executive
Vice-President Nobuyoshi Esaki, and
the AUN by Thai Ministry of Education,
Commission on Higher Education Deputy
Secretary-General Piniti Ratanakul
(former executive director of the AUN).
The AUN representatives expressed their
hopes of establishing a global program in
the future, together with ASEAN countries
and also with international establishments
such as UNESCO ultimately pushing
forward international research and the
development of human resources to a new
level.

9. Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

10. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
11. Institute of Economics, Myanmar
12. University of Yangon, Myanmar
13. University of the Philippines, the Philippines
14. De La Salle University, the Philippines
15. Ateneo de Manila University, the Philippines
16. National University of Singapore, Singapore
17. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
18. Burapha University, Thailand
19. Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
20. Mahidol University, Thailand
21. Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Viet Nam
22. Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh
City, Viet Nam

ASEAN University Network (AUN): 22 Universities

1. Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei
Darussalam
2. Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia
3. Royal University of Law and Economics,
Cambodia
4. Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
5. Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
6. Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia
7. National University of Laos, Lao PDR
8. Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Executive Vice-President Nobuyoshi Esaki speaking

on behalf of Kyoto University

Foreign Language Publication of MANGA Kyoto University

In September 2008, Kyoto University
published MANGA Kyoto University,
a booklet which explains the research
achievements of our university to junior
and senior high school students in an
easy-to-follow comic book format.

This publication was achieved in a joint

effort by students and staff of Kyoto
University and Kyoto Seika University
(a university that promotes the arts and
established the first Faculty of Manga
in Japan). MANGA Kyoto University
covers topics such as education, research,
medicine and student activities at Kyoto
University, as well as famous researchers
and historical events. The book has
become very popular both inside and
outside the campus. Originally written in
Japanese, it has now been published in
foreign languages in order to raise interest
7

and awareness of our university among

overseas students.
Along with the Japanese version,
the foreign language versions were
also published by both universities. In
December 2009, we completed English,
Chinese and Korean versions. These were
distributed to overseas partner institutions,
overseas diplomatic missions and overseas
campuses of Kyoto University.
MANGA Kyoto University can also
be viewed on the following Website.
http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/issue

Discovery of a small molecule that inhibits the playmaker of

fat synthesis

Like fishing, when conducting

research, we sometimes feel as if we

They presumed that because of its

simple chemical structure, Fatostatin

Fatostatin was discovered to inhibit

got a nibble on a hook. The research

(referred to as 125B11 in those days)

binding to a protein called SCAP, a

on this chemical compound is one

might bind to multiple proteins and act

in a complex way in cells. If such was

regulatory protein for SREBP.

SREBP is a transcription factor that

Forefronts of Research at Kyoto University

such case.

the activation process of SREBP by

the case, it would have been difficult

activates many of the fat-synthesizing

About 30,000 chemical compounds are stored in our laboratory

freezers. By adding these chemical
compounds one by one on a range of

to earn a doctors degree by studying

the chemical compound. Despite this

genes, and it is the "playmaker" of fat

synthesis in human cells. If the activa-

hesitance, two female South Korean

and Chinese postdoctoral fellows had

tion of SREBP is inhibited, the genes

required for fat synthesis would not be

cultured cells, we have been able to

enough guts to work on this simple

activated, resulting in the suppression

select chemical compounds that exert

of the synthesis of fat from sugar. In

unique effects on cells. If we understand which proteins these chemical

molecule and found success.

They first conducted a DNA microarray-based analysis, where one can

compounds bind to, and what they

examine expression patterns of essen-

really do in cells, we would be able

to gain insights into the secrets of life.

tially all the human genes. Usually,

when the effects of a biologically

However, such research is not always

active compound or a drug are inves-

successful. Even when the biologically

active compounds are discovered, it is
not always possible to grasp how they
are acting in cells. Fatostatin is one of
such compounds.
We discovered Fatostatin in 2003 as
a chemical compound that inhibits the
proliferation of cancer cells. However,

tigated by this technique, the results

are highly complicated. However, in

it was not clear how the compound

was acting in cells, and it had been left
untouched by researchers for a while.
Graduate students also did not work on
this molecule as a dissertation subject.

other words, Fatostatin is a chemical

compound that terminates fat synthesis
at the outset.

the case of Fatostatin, the microarray

We injected Fatostatin into ob/

ob mice, obese mouse models that
have strong appetite and get very
fat. Administration of Fatostatin
suppressed obesity resulting from
overeating in ob/ob mice, without

results were extremely simple. Many

affecting food intake. Hyperglycemia

of the altered genes were those regu-

and fatty liver were also improved by

lated by a transcription factor called

SREBP (sterol regulatory elementbinding protein). Other subsequent

Fatostatin administration. Fatostatin

represents the first fully synthetic
chemical compound that inhibits

experiments also supported the conclusion that Fatostatin acts on the SREBP
pathway. At that time, the South

SREBP. Fatostatin and its analogs may

thus be useful in studying fat synthesis
in cells. There is also a possibility that

Korean postdoctoral fellow returned to

a drug-like analog of Fatostatin could

South Kores to obtain an independent

be used in the future as a therapeutic

faculty position,
and Japanese postdoctoral fellows

drug for metabolic disorder, such as

N
N
S
Fatostatin

diabetes and fatty liver.

joined the Fatostatin

When studying chemical com-

project. As a result
of the intensive
experiments they
conducted in cell
biology, chemistry,
and biochemistry,

pounds, there is no telling where the

research will lead. In fact, we had no
intention of studying fat synthesis at
the beginning. When you plunge into
an unanticipated area of research, the
contents of classes in your student

days, or those of lectures you listened to in youth, may suddenly

So, fellow researchers,

you may also get a nibble

become relevant. Regarding SREBP,

on the hook which you

have baited for quite a

when I was working as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University,

long time ago. Watch out

not to miss those chances

lecture by Professor Joseph Leonard

when they emerge.

Goldstein from The University of

Texas Southwestern Medical Center,
who is the discoverer of SREBP and
SCAP. The experience at that time has
significantly contributed, after a long
time, to the present finding.

Motonari UESUGI
Born in 1967
Field of specialization: Chemical Biology
Completed doctoral program, Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto
University
Ph.D., Kyoto University
Professor, Research Institute for Integrated
Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University
URL http://www.scl.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~uesugi/
indexieng.htm
The mottos Dont fear failure
and Do what others do not do are
traditions at Kyoto University.
We have the best environment for
producing groundbreaking research.
Professor Uesugi was the type of child
who wondered why water boiled as he stood
beside his mother while she was cooking. As
a junior and senior high school student he
was so good at physics his teacher told his
classmates to ask him questions if they did not
understand something. Nevertheless, he did
not like chemistry and English. In comparison
to the logical reasoning of physics, he felt that
chemistry and English were subjects that just
required rote memorization. However, he soon
became interested in chemistry after he realized
that he could further the research of past
scholars. Its ironic that for 10 years I actually
ended up teaching chemistry to students in

Courtesy: Motonari Uesugi

Chemistry & Biology (28 August 2009)

English in the United States, Professor Uesugi

laughs.
From the time he was a junior high school
student, his ambition was to become a
researcher who could make a contribution
to society. After he got Ph.D. from Kyoto
University in 1995, he went to Harvard
University as a post-doctoral fellow with
the goal of making both direct and indirect
contribution to the human society. When
asked what he means by indirect, he replied
Indirect contribution is like a Samuel Sosas
homerun . Sosas homeruns themselves
did not make direct contributions to society.
However, his homeruns may provide people
with excitement, hope, and
confidence to do something
difficult. I wanted to do
something like that by
disclosing the secrets of
life and by making new
concepts and ideas.
After his postdoctoral
training at Har vard
University, Professor Uesugi
was appointed assistant
professor at Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston,
Texas. After achieving a
tenure as an associate
professor there, he
decided to return to Kyoto
9

Control

Fatostatin

University to take up the post of full professor

at the Institute of Chemical Research. The longstanding economic slump in Japan and fewer
direct benefits of basic research to daily life in
recent days may have discouraged Japanese
students from pursuing science as their career.
However, Professor Uesugi has a different view.
Despite such discouragement, Kyoto University
still have young talents with deep interests in
science. They may be more interested in science
than I was, and their future is bright. Professor
Uesugi has earned his students great trust
due to the attention he gives to the young and
upcoming students and his teaching experience
in the United States and other countries.

Forefronts of Research at Kyoto University

I had an opportunity to listen to the

ESSAY
In search of Ancient Texts and their Proper Interpretations

Diwakar ACHARYA
Born in 1969
Field of specialization : Sanskrit Studies, History of
Indian religions and philosophies
Completed masters course at Sampurnananda
University
Ph.D., University of Hamburg
Visiting Lecturer, Department of Indological Studies,
Faculty of Letters of Kyoto University
Although in the past I wanted to escape the strict
instructions of my father, I am now extremely grateful
to have researched and been taught about the deep
and wide world of Sanskrit.
From April 2006, Dr. Acharya has taught grammar in
basic Sanskrit class and conducted individual seminars
on the history and philosophy of Sanskrit, religious
rituals and festivals as a foreign instructor at the Faculty
of Letters of Kyoto University. Even though Sanskrit is not
used in conversation, Vedic Sanskrit and other ancient
languages can be read with the knowledge of Sanskrit
since the vocabulary and grammar are fixed. It covers
areas such as literature, philosophy, religion and science.
Dr. Acharyas research is also wide ranging. His areas of
specialty include codicology and epigraphy.
With the linguistic and educational reforms
implemented in Nepal since the 1950s, Sanskrit has
been used on many occasions to create new words
in order to standardize the national language. In fact,
70% of the Nepalese vocabulary is currently directly
borrowed or derived from Sanskrit, although highly
Sanskritised vocabulary is not used in daily conversation.
Consequently, education of Sanskrit is limited to a few
traditional Brahmin families.
In addition to his regular schooling, Dr. Acharya also
received a very strict education in Sanskrit from the age
of 7. This was provided by his father who was a teacher
and pundit that adhered to the strict principles of Sanskrit
teachings. He used to rebel against such methods after
entering the university. He lived in a hostel, went to
movie theaters, ate meat and lived a bohemian lifestyle.
However, after one year, he met a mentor who introduced
him to the interesting aspects of Sanskrit as an academic
subject. With this, he concentrated on his research and
is now deeply grateful to what his father did to him.
After arriving in Kyoto, Dr. Acharya was impressed
with the similarity of the mountains surrounding
the city and the many Buddhist temples with those
of his hometown, Katmandu. He is very comfortable
researching his areas of interest without restrictions at
Kyoto University and wishes to continue his studies well
into the future.

All kinds of knowledge systems Indian

people developed till the advent of modern
education in India are expressed in Sanskrit
and related languages. These knowledge
systems now are hardly developing further,
but literary activities in classical languages
of India, mainly Sanskrit, are still going on.
Classical Indological Studies cover all such
traditional knowledge systems and all types of
ancient or modern literary activities in the classical languages of India. On the other hand,
there are thousands of manuscripts of unpublished Indic texts kept in different archives.
This makes the field very broad, and the direction of a department of Indological Studies
depends much on the animated interests of its
faculties and researchers.
In order to develop a feeling for Sanskrit, I
read literary works, religious and philosophical
texts, and historical documents. Being a written
language, there is no alternative to reading as
many texts of different genres as possible. It is
mostly advantageous: knowledge of one genre
helps me to understand another.
Since my college days in late 80s, I am constantly involved in handling manuscripts and
identifying unpublished works. Some of them
I have already published, and on some others I
am currently working. They are mainly literary
and religious texts. I am also interested in the
early history of Indian religious traditions, and

here too, reading across these traditions is

helpful.
As Buddhist texts narrate, the historical
Buddha used to tell his disciples that they
should not accept his teaching just because
of his authority; they should rather experiment
with everything they are told and have a firsthand knowledge. I feel that this applies to any
discourse, any interpretation. I try to follow this
advice whenever I deal with an important text. I
feel that combining trained skills and innovative imagination enables a scholar to contribute
in a better way to the field of his research.
Kyoto is strong in the studies of Indian,
particularly Buddhist, philosophies, and since
my arrival here I have constantly benefited
from this situation, inside and outside Kyoto
University. Kyoto is unique; one example is
the Philosophers Path, named after a famous
Japanese philosopher, Kitaro Nishida. After
coming to Kyoto, I have been occasionally
reading the works of him and other Japanese
philosophers of the Kyoto School (but only in
translation), and also some of the 20th century
western philosophers like Popper and Derrida.
Because of my traditional schooling in Vedic
and other subsequent religious traditions, I find
human consciousness forming the true core of
religion. So, I enjoy reading these modern philosophers on religion, truth, and human nature.
In a sense I am reading Nishidas consciousness from Hindu perspective and Poppers
theory of falsification from Upanis
adic point of
view. In brief, I am trying to look at the core of
religion from all angles and various perspectives.

13th century

14th century

10

17th century

My dream is to contribute to the efforts to create an egalitarian world order.

Multitudes of actions at various levels are required in order to realize this dream.
From October 2008, Mr. Gautam has been a
graduate student at the Graduate School of Asian
and African Studies (ASAFAS). Since 1990, Mr
Gautams home country, Nepal, has experienced
a series of political and social changes due
to armed struggle, coup detat and on-going
movements for democratic transformation. As
researcher and activist Mr. Gautam contributed
to the democratization of Nepali society. He
is currently pursuing research on political
movements and change in Nepal. Recently he
also participated in the field schools in Nepal
and Cameroon that ASAFAS organized with an
aim to provide better exposure for its students.

human rights or freedom of press or rule of law

were limited in their scope and reach, unable to
engage people at large. Political parties were
extremely unpopular as conducts for democracy
movements.
Realizing this, in 2005, we initiated a group
called Citizens Movement for Democracy
and Peace (CMDP) calling for an end to left
and right extremism but envisioning radical
transformation. CMDP intervention was crucial
in bringing people, parliamentary parties, and
the Maoist together that ultimately led to the
Peoples Power in 2006 and the subsequent
historic changes thereafter.

Mr. Gautam, please tell us about your life

before you became a graduate student.
I moved to Kathmandu after I finished
junior high school. While in university I was
discontented with the quality of education so I
gave up my studies and start working. In 1998,
I met Pratyoush Onta, who led me to the field of
research at the Martin Chautari. First, I assisted
him in his work on the chronicle of history
writing in Nepal. Later, I concentrated on my
own work on media and on contemporary sociopolitical currents in Nepal. Beside research, I
was co-organizer of public discussion series
at Martin Chautari on a wide range of issues.
One could say those were ventures to deepen
democracy and promote a culture of public
debates in Nepal.

When did you meet Associate Professor

Tatsuro Fujikura?
I met him in 1999. But it was the Kamaiya
(bonded labor) movement in 2000 that brought
us close to each other for the first time. He
was researching bonded labor movements for
emancipation and I was among the organizers
of this movement in Kathmandu. Kamaiya is
a form of labor where a poor man and/or his
family are forced to work for the same landlord
in order to pay their debts. In 2003, I asked
him to contribute a chapter for a volume that
I co-edited, titled as Debates on Poverty in
Nepal. Since then we are in constant touch.

Was the democracy movement very active

at that time?
In 1996, insurgency broke out as the Maoist
fraction of the Communist Party of Nepal
began armed struggle calling for establishment
of communist order and a Peoples Republic.
Parliamentary parties ridiculed this undertaking
in the beginning and tired to resolve it with force.
The monarchy watched this move cunningly, at
times impeaching political power that ultimately
resulted in the coup detat in 2005. What Nepal
experienced until then was a tri-party struggle.
By then Nepal had already experienced a series
of crises from state of emergency to massive
killings to constant mockery of parliamentary
culture from actors within and outside.
This was also the time where various social
movements made their presence felt. But
dissents from social groups or calls ensure

Why did you later decide to come to Japan?

In 2004, I went back to university to give
way to my quest for theoretical and critical
knowledge, knowing all of which are not
available in Nepal. I shared this plan with
Professor Fujikura in 2005 and he suggested
I consider doing my graduate studies in Kyoto
University. Then I was deeply occupied with the
political movements and everything around and
had little interest to move anywhere. After 2006 I
realized that, despite Nepal experienced series of
changes, some historic, we achieved very little
given the kind of political opportunity that was
available for radical transformation. It was after
this, that I said to myself: a few years of study
abroad is a good idea. Japan, then became a
first choice because of Professor Fujikura. He
is among the very few best scholars on Nepal.
As he shares better understanding on Nepal I
thought it would be a wonderful opportunity
to work with him. Also the open educational
environment available at Kyoto University was
11

Bhaskar GAUTAM
Born in 1976
Currently graduate student at the Graduate
School of Asian and African Area Studies
(ASAFAS), Kyoto University

an attraction. Of course, receiving a scholarship

was another major reason.
How do you find research environment in
Kyoto University?
All students at the ASAFAS are provided with
an environment to research and study freely.
No doubt the atmosphere is very impressive.
However, as my Japanese language ability
is very bad, I cannot get the best out of the
university and sometime feel limited.
Kyoto University is trying to create an
environment where students without
Japanese language abilities can make
research and attend classes.
This is good news, and there is an urgent
need for this. Kyoto University, perhaps, is in
the best position to make it happen. I wish for
its success and believe that it will be major
undertaking to attract more overseas students
and make the learning environment more diverse
and dynamic.
What are your future goals or dreams?
This is difficult question to answer. But as
I move on, I would like to learn more about
political and social theories so that this will
help my ventures in future. However, freedom
and quality of life are fundamental desires of
people. I wish to devote my life to the pursuit of
humanity in every possible sense. My dream is
to contribute constructively to the creation of an
egalitarian world order. This grandiose dream is
possible only when multitudes of actions take
place at local and regional level, but thinking
globally.

The 1st Vietnam-Japan University Presidents Conference

September 1718, 2009

The 1st Vietnam-Japan University

Presidents Conference was held by
the Vietnamese Ministry of Education
and Training from September 17 to 18,
2009 at the Horizon Hotel in Hanoi
City, Vietnam. The event was attended
by a delegation from Kyoto University
including Executive Vice-President
Shuzo Nishimura, Vice-President Junichi
Mori, director of Kyoto Universitys
Organization for the Promotion of
International Relations, and Professor
Koichiro Oshima, dean of the Graduate
School of Engineering.
Prior to the conference, on the evening
of September 16, a reception, hosted
by Mr. Mitsuo Sakaba, the Japanese
Ambassador to Vietnam, was held for
the Japanese participants. The reception provided an excellent opportunity
for friendly discussions about academic
exchange between Vietnam and Japan.
The conference itself was attended

by over 100 participants from Japan,

including delegates from fifty-three
universities, as well as delegates from
the Japanese Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
(MEXT) and the Japan Association of
National Universities. An equivalent
number of Vietnamese delegates also
attended the event, including H. E. Dr.
Nguyen Thien Nhan, deputy prime
minister and minister of education and
training of Vietnam and representatives
from seventy-one Vietnamese universities and colleges.
The conferences keynote speech
was followed by lively discussions
on the topic of higher education. At
the closing of the successful event,
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien
Nhan suggested that a second conference be held in either Japan or Vietnam
in two years time. It was decided that
Kyoto University would coordinate the

Japanese participants for the next conference.

The conference provided a significant
opportunity for the Kyoto University
delegates to meet and improve relations with the Vietnamese Ministry
of Education and Training and many
Vietnamese universities, including Hanoi
University of Technology, which hosted
the event. It was also an ideal opportunity to publicize Kyoto Universitys
new range of programs for international
students: Kyoto University Programs
for Future International Leaders (K.U.
PROFILE).

President Hiroshi Matsumoto attends the 6th China-Japan University

October 1516, 2009
Presidents Forum
Kyoto University president, Dr. Hiroshi
Matsumoto and Executive Vice-President
Shuzo Nishimura attended the 6th ChinaJapan University Presidents Forum at
Nankai University in Tianjin on October
15 to 16, 2009. The Kyoto University
delegation also included Professor
Liyou Han of the International Center,

Ms. Tomoka Satomi, vice-director of the

Office of the President, and Mr. Masao
Tsukamoto, Director of the International
Affairs Department.
The China-Japan University Presidents
Forum is held biennially by the Ministry
of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology of Japan (MEXT) and
the Ministry of Education of the Peoples
Republic of China. On this occasion the
forum was attended by approximately 100
delegates including university presidents
and the vice-minister of MEXT.
The forum was co-chaired by the
presidents of the University of Tokyo
12

and Peking University, and consisted of

five sessions, during which the delegates
passionately discussed ideas, plans and
concrete programs relating to higher
education in China and Japan, as well as
the role and responsibility of universities.
After the opening session, the second
session, National Strategies and
University Development, focused mainly
on the Chinese Ministry of Educations
Project 211 and Project 985 initiatives,
and MEXTs COE and Global COE
Programs.
The third session Theory and
Practice in the Internationalization of

Creative Human Resources Training,

was co-chaired by President Matsumoto
and President Yang Yuliang of Fudan
University, and explored the possibilities
for joint endeavors by China and Japan
to cultivate human resources. The fourth
session was a discussion session on the
same topic, and included a discussion
about Kyoto Universitys approach to
education and research.
The fifth session was a steering conference for the forum, during which it was
decided that next years forum would
be co-hosted by Kyoto University and

Ritsumeikan University.
President Matsumoto expressed
his willingness to host the
forum, as did Chancellor
Kiyofumi Kawaguchi of
Ritsumeikan University.
President Matsumoto emphasized the significance of
holding the event in Kyoto, a
city with long-standing historical, cultural
and academic connections with China.
The forum provided an excellent
opportunity for President Matsumoto
and Executive Vice-President Nishimura

Zhejiang University holds Kyoto University Days

Zhejiang University held two Kyoto
University Days on October 30 to 31,
2009. The purpose of the two-day event
was to introduce Kyoto University to the
students of Zhejiang University, facilitate academic exchange and provide
information about study abroad opportunities. This is the first time that such
an event has been held. The following
six Kyoto University graduate schools
participated in the event: the Graduate
School of Management, the Graduate
School of Medicine, the Graduate
School of Engineering, the Graduate
School of Agriculture, the Graduate
School of Informatics and the Graduate
School of Global Environmental
Studies.
The first days proceedings
commenced with a welcome speech by
the president of Zhejiang University,
Professor Yang Wei. President Weis
speech was followed by presentations
by Executive Vice-President Shuzo
Nishimura, Vice-President Junichi Mori
and Professor Liyou Han of Kyoto
University. Executive Vice-President
Nishimura greeted the attendees by
reciting a Chinese poem about the

city of Hangzhou, in which Zhejiang

University is located. The recital
received a warm round of applause.
In the evening, the six participating
graduate schools conducted individual
sessions introducing their research activities and holding mock classes. After the
graduate school sessions, a discussion
session was held by Vice-President Chu
Jian and Vice-President Zheng Qiang
of Zhejiang University. The participants actively discussed the promotion
of student exchange between Kyoto
University and Zhejiang University,
as well as the Japanese governments
Global 30 Project for Establishing Core
Universities for Internationalization
(G30 Project).
Continuing on from the introductory
presentations of the previous
day, the second day of the event
began with a presentation by
Kyoto University International
Center program officer, Professor
Liyou Han. Professor Han gave
an overall description of Kyoto
University, as well as explanations of the universitys various
departments and information
13

to engage in active discussions with the

delegates from the participating Chinese
universities, who showed great interest
in developing their relations with Kyoto
University.

October 3031, 2009

about enrollment. The students of
Zhejiang University responded enthusiastically throughout the two days of the
event, with many students consulting
the Kyoto University representatives for
details about government sponsorship
and scholarship applications.
On the evening of the second day,
an inaugural meeting of the Kyoto
University Alumni Association of China
was held. Approximately 100 people
participated in the relaxed and friendly
gathering. The participants exchanged
their latest news and shared their memories of Kyoto University, as well as their
thoughts about the Kyoto University of
today, expressing their desire to further
contribute to the universitys international exchange undertakings.

For inquiries regarding Raku-Yu, contact:

Public Relations Division

KYOTO UNIVERSITY
Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku,
Kyoto 606-8501, Japan

URL http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/issue/rakuyu/
PDF files of Raku-Yu may be downloaded from the above URL

E-mail [email protected]
TEL +81 75 753 2072 FAX +81 75 753 2094

Fushimi Inari Shrine A religious space filled with the prayers of the people

Fushimi Inari Shrine is located between Kyoto Universitys Yoshida campus and Uji campus, approximately 2.5 km south
east of JR Kyoto station. Constructed in the Nara Era (710-794), it boasts a long history spanning over 1300 years. Fushimi
Inari Shrine is the head shrine of the approximately 30,000 shrines in Japan and about 2,800,000 people visit the shrine
during the first 3 days of every New Year period.
The word Inari is derived from the expression bumper harvest. As a result, Inari shrines were originally places where
people prayed for a good harvest. However, now these shrines have become well known for providing good profits for
companies and family safety.
The main characteristic of Fushimi Inari Shrine is the large amount of fox statues that can be found throughout the shrine
grounds. Regular temples and shrines have Komainu statues (animals which cannot be determined whether they are lions or
dogs) placed on the left and right hand side of the gates and main shrines. However, in the case of Inari shrines, the statues
are clearly those of foxes. They are revered as servants of the Inari god.
The mountains behind the main shrine also form part of the shrines spiritual area. The path that surrounds these mountains
is lined with Torii (Shinto gates) which have been donated by people and companies praying for prosperity. This is known
as the Senbon Torii (there are actually thousands of these Shinto gates) and it is a characteristic that cannot be found at
any other Inari shrine. In the mountains themselves, there are more than 10 thousand Otsuka (stone plates engraved another
name of Inari god). Many people kneel in front of these stones to pray in an atmosphere filled with a religious spirituality
that has continued since antiquity.
Ema (wooden planks which are
used to write down their wishes)
may also come in the shape of
a fox.

The main shrine was reconstructed in 1499 after it was lost in a

fire caused during a civil war. This huge elegant shrine has been
designated as an important national cultural treasure.

Senbon Torii: Names of donating people and

companies are written on each Torii.

This tower gate was created in 1589 by the then

powerful Hideyoshi Toyotomi in order to pray for
his mother to recover from illness. This is the largest
shrine tower gate in Japan.

Fox statue: An ear of rice in the mouth

of a fox is a sign of a good harvest.
There are some fox with scrolls or keys
in their mouth.