College of Nursing Art and Science

Professor Takafumi Katayama

To lead a healthy life, it is important for each individual to engage in health-promoting activities that suit them. With the aim of creating a "town where people can naturally become healthy," I participated in the development of a health plan such as this. The plan includes activities such as exercises that can be done during spare time, methods to relieve stress, avoids prolonged sitting, incorporates locally grown vegetables, and establishes one's own "health-promoting routine." By making health-conscious actions a habit, we aim for all citizens to create a "town where people can naturally become healthy."

School of Economics and Management / Graduate School of Social Sciences

Professor Saki Kawarada

My specialty is public accounting, which focuses on the accounting systems of government and private non-profit organizations. As a result, I am involved in tasks connected to municipal water and sewerage business management councils. The management environment for water and sewerage businesses has become extremely challenging due to the rapid population decline in an aging society, leading to decreased service demand and increased renewal needs from aging facilities. We are working to explore the best approaches to ensure safe, secure, and sustainable water and sewerage services (benefits) and rates (burdens).

School of Human Science and Environment

Associate Professor Ichiro Kaneko

In recent years, the frequency of using processed foods has increased, leading to excessive intake of phosphorus contained in food additives, which has become a significant problem. We are focusing on the fact that the shells of crabs, shrimp, and shellfish are composed of calcium carbonate, making them a source of calcium that contains very little phosphorus. Additionally, crustaceans contain functional components such as astaxanthin, chitin, and chitosan, which have value as food ingredients. We are focusing on analyzing the components of discarded parts of crustaceans and shellfish and researching the mechanisms of their effectiveness to develop foods with added nutritional value.

School of Human Science and Environment

Professor Narumi Nagai

We are conducting research on creating healthy food environments and nutrition education from the perspectives of nutrition science and behavioral science. In Japan, we have a system of nutrition teachers responsible for nutrition education and school lunches which are renowned worldwide. The introduction of school lunches dates back to the post-war period when they were initiated to improve child malnutrition. To leverage this experience in developing countries, which still face many nutritional issues, we are working with undergraduate and graduate students to study and propose nutrition education and school lunch programs tailored to local conditions.

College of Nursing Art and Science

Professor Emi Furukawa

Parent training has been conducted since the 1960s and is said to be effective in improving children's life skills, decreasing problematic behaviors, help parents at acquiring parenting skills, and decreasing parental stress and depression. The basic platform of the Japan Parent Training Study Group is to learn the importance of observing “behavior” objectively, paying attention to children's positive behavior, recognizing it, and praising it. The basic platform of the Japan Parent Training Institute is being developed with the cooperation of support groups in Finland and Japan.

College of Nursing Art and Science

Professor Miwa Kawada

We are considering how to adapt and implement the dialogic approach developed in Scandinavia for use in Japan.
In dialogue, safety and security are the foundation. Differences are respected, and everyone's voice is valued. Through dialogue, we hope to create a community where people with difficulties in their lives can live their own lives and have hope for the future, and where no one is left behind.

Graduate School of Engineering

Associate Professor Eri Miura

Based on metals that are compatible with living organisms, such as titanium and magnesium, we are developing biomaterials that combine the superior properties of metals, ceramics, and resins, and conducting research on corrosion and wear in vivo. The properties of the interface between materials with different crystalline structures and properties are important in order to unify them. In order to understand in detail the properties of interfaces and surfaces of materials in special environments such as living organisms and in the sea, we observe microstructures using electron microscopes, analyze surfaces using various analytical instruments, and conduct mechanical tests.

Research Institute of Nursing Care for People and Community

Professor Muzembo Basilua Andre

We are focusing an Ebola virus disease and cholera, two globally significant infectious diseases while also addressing the emerging concern of Mpox
For Ebola, we have systematically investigated the epidemic situation in Africa and conducted social science research on the various misconceptions and rumors that people in endemic areas have about the disease. For cholera, we are collaborating with India to investigate the causes of outbreaks and evaluate the effectiveness of rapid diagnostic kits. Through these studies, we aim to contribute to the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases.

Photo: Group photo with Japan-India collaborators. Prof. Muzembo is second from the left.

Graduate School of Disaster Resilience and Governance

Associate Professor Anna Matsukawa

Disasters cause more damage to those who are vulnerable in society, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, women, children, and foreign nationals. We are conducting research with the aim of creating a fair society in which social vulnerability is minimized before a disaster strikes, and in which all victims can receive appropriate support.

Graduate School of Disaster Resilience and Governance

Professor Ryosuke Aota

A BCP for nursing homes to protect vulnerable populations by reducing potential harm is important. Under the guidance of the government, all nursing homes have created BCPs, but whether they are practical or not remains questionable. There is a perception that disaster prevention is a separate issue and a hurdle for welfare professionals. However, since the mission to protect lives is common, we have been guiding a nursing care facility for three years in developing a BCP by considering disaster prevention as an extension of the original welfare work. We are working on a theoretical framework of the results obtained there so that they can be applied to other facilities as well.