SUIGEN 

Vol.2


Special Feature: Diversity 

~ Creating a New Structure ~

Professor 

Kunihiko Hayashi 


Department of Laboratory Sciences, 

Graduate School of Health Sciences (Basic Medical Sciences)

The Only Large Cohort Study of Women in Our Country


 A field of study focuses on researching the causes and prevention of diseases in populations. It is called epidemiology. One of its methodologies, cohort studies, involves collecting and analyzing data from a large group of subjects over an extended period to investigate the relationship between factors such as lifestyle, environment, and health. Professor Kunihiko Hayashi has conducted a cohort study since 2001, targeting tens of thousands of working women nationwide. This large-scale women's cohort study is the first in Japan. Professor Hayashi is also the only participant from Asia in an international research project that integrates and analyzes women's cohort studies worldwide. Epidemiology throughout a woman's life, from "fetal and neonatal period to reproductive years, menopause and old age," has not been fully established. Professor Hayashi, who is venturing into unexplored territory, is eager to disseminate numerous scientific findings to improve Japanese women's health.


Joint seminar with InterLACE and Japan Nurse Health Study

Front-Runner in Multicultural Conviviality


  With the implementation of the amended "Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act" in 1990, there was a sharp increase in the immigration of Japanese descendants from Central and South American countries who were "permanent residents." As a result, there has been a growing demand for multicultural coexistence in local communities. Multicultural coexistence refers to individuals from different nationalities and ethnicities acknowledging and accepting each other's cultural differences while striving to build an equal relationship. They actively contribute to the local community, showcasing their unique qualities and abilities and living together harmoniously. Additionally, due to the rapid globalization of the economy, there has been an increase in foreign residents and international students from various parts of the world. Professor Yuuki has been consistently engaged in research, education, and practical activities for over 20 years since joining Gunma University. She has undoubtedly been at the forefront as a university professional involved in multicultural coexistence, continuously pushing boundaries.


Professor 

Megumi Yuuki

Higher Education Center, Organization for University Education and Student Support

    

Local Japanese language education for permanent residents

Professor 

Takayuki  Kanazawa

Department of Education for Children with Disabilities, Faculty of Education   

Establishment of a System for Training Academic Sign Language Interpreters


 For individuals who are unable to gather information due to physical disabilities, providing information through alternative means is necessary. That opens information accessibility. Gunma University has been pioneering various forms of support for students with hearing impairments. Professor Takayuki Kanazawa has initiated a collaborative project with Gunma Prefecture this academic year, supported by the Nippon Foundation, titled "Training Interpreters to Accommodate Academic Sign Language Interpretation." He is enthusiastic about constructing a curriculum for interpreter training and presenting this model nationwide.


Sign language interpreter training course

Privacy-conscious Social Survey Methodology


   Professor Jun Iwai specializes in Social Information Systems, particularly focusing on decision support systems. His research involves anonymous communication, social choice theory, and approaches based on stress theory. He has pioneered the development of a "Combination-based Anonymity Scale" to measure levels of anonymity. In recent years, he has proposed privacy-conscious social survey techniques and advocated for improving the quality of big data.

Professor 

Jun Iwai

Faculty of Social and Information Studies

Associate  Professor  

Akifumi Kira

Faculty of Social and Information Studies

Social System Design Based on Mathematical Technology

   ~ 8,000 Applicants for Daycare Centers, No One Complained About the Selection Process ~

    Associate Professor Akifumi Kira is engaged in research using mathematical and computational tools such as mathematical optimization and game theory to design fair and acceptable systems and policies for addressing social issues. He has collaborated with various fields to develop technological solutions, including; (a) Improving passenger satisfaction at Fukuoka Airport, (b) Coordinating the usage of the daycare facilities with an emphasis on siblinghood, (c) Developing security plans for cities and facilities, (d) Providing support for migration and settlement in Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, (e) Designing operational models for ride-sharing transportation.