From random chaotic vibrations to useful motion—toward new energy-harvesting technologies
Researchers, including Miku Hatatani, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, have developed the world’s first symmetric ratchet motor in which a perfectly circular disk spins in one direction when placed on vibrating particles, inspired by molecular motors in biological systems. While conventional rachets rely on asymmetry, this motor emerges from spontaneous symmetry breaking. This discovery highlights a new principle in physics of extracting order from noise, setting the stage for innovative energy-harvesting devices that work on ambient vibrations.
Reference
Hatatani, M., Oguni,J., Yamamoto, D., & Shioi, A., Emergence of a ratchet motor by spontaneous symmetry breaking, Chaos 35,（８）, 083102 (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0271467
https://research.doshisha.ac.jp/news/news-detail-80/
This achievement has also been featured in the “EurekAlert!.”News Release 11-Sep-2025,
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097937
Title: Mechanism of Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in a Symmetric Ratchet Motor
Caption: In the initial setup, the particles are evenly distributed. But when the disc is placed on the particle bed and subjected to vibration, it spontaneously begins to spin in one direction, demonstrating self-organization arising from breaking of symmetry.
Image credit: Ms. Miku Hatatani from Doshisha University, Japan
Image license: Original content
Usage restrictions: Cannot be used without permission.
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Assistant Professor Shin-nosuke Nishimura, Professor Tomoyuki Koga, and their research team have developed a simulation model to clarify how 4-position substitution in cyclic ketene acetals influences radical ring-opening polymerization.
Cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) contain carbon atoms and oxygen arranged in a ring-like structure and are ideal for designing degradable polymers. However, the complex reaction pathways and mechanistic factors involved during the polymerization process remain unclear. In a new study from Doshisha University, researchers have developed a simulation model and conducted in-depth nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses to determine the critical factors that can influence radical ring-opening polymerization of CKAs.
Reference
Shin-nosuke Nishimura, Marina Uryu, Tomoyuki Koga, Kinetic Model of Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization of Asymmetric Five-Membered Cyclic Ketene Acetals, Macromolecules, 2025, August 19
DOI : 10.1021/acs.macromol.5c01438
For more details, please see the website of Organization for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University.
https://research.doshisha.ac.jp/news/news-detail-79/
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1096807
Image title: Biodegradable polymers, such as cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs), are key to reducing persistent plastic pollution concerns
Image credit: Geo Lightspeed7 from Openverse
Image source link: https://openverse.org/image/a1296bd2-2c44-40ac-a0f9-b294e37bd7a1?q=biodegradable+plastics&p=83
License type: CC BY-SA 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
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The Center for Global Education and Japanese Studies(CGJ) hosted“Doshisha Summer Session 2025” for four weeks, from July 8, 2025 to August 5. This year, there were 18 participants from Saudi Arabia, France, United States, United Kingdom, Korea, China, Hongkong, and Taiwan.
Japanese Kimono Culture
The Japanese language classes were divided into two levels, and lessons were conducted in the areas of grammar, reading comprehension, and oral expression. In addition, in the course "Traditional culture and daily life in Kyoto," ten guest speakers were invited to give lectures about Kyoto’s traditional culture, such as the Gion Festival and Nishijin weaving. The participants also participated in hands-on cultural experiences, including tea ceremony, Aikido, Noh, Zen meditation, Kimono, and Japanese food making.
During the period, more than 40 students from both Doshisha University and Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts participated in classes as volunteer study partners, joining in conversation practice and other activities. In the second week of the program, a get-together session with study partners was organized. Participants and study partners made some small groups and discussed about what they would like to do during their stay in Japan. Then they made up a plan and carried them out outside of class hours. (For example, going to karaoke, eating sushi, and hanging out wearing yukata.) Through this activity, participants and study partners grew closer and were able to interact actively outside of class.
On the final day, there was an opportunity for deepening what they learned and experienced during the program. Each participant selected topics of interest and gave presentations in Japanese followed by a discussion with study partners.
We received positive feedback from the participants. All participants said they would recommend the program to their friends and juniors, and 92% answered that they could achieve their goals for participating in the program. These responses clearly indicate a high level of satisfaction with this program. Furthermore, 85% of the students expressed an interest to study abroad at Doshisha University, showing that the program has contributed to enhancing the university’s presence.
Looking at the feedback by content, students shared the following comments about the Japanese language classes:
“All the teachers were kind and enthusiastic, and they made learning fun and easy to understand.” “The explanations were clear, and I learned something new every time.” “I gained much more confidence in my Japanese compared to before the program.”
Regarding the course “Traditional culture and daily life in Kyoto”, students commented:
“I was able to deeply experience the history, beauty, and traditional culture of Kyoto. Every class was memorable.” “It was a special experience because the content would have been difficult to learn through self-study.”
Among the classes of “Traditional culture and daily life in Kyoto”, the Gion Festival was a highlight. Participants’ comments on this reflect that they learned the perspective of festival organizers and their dedication. They commented:
“We visited the Ofunehoko float’s preparation place and learned about the behind-the-scenes works and the spirit of festival organizers”. “The unity of the local community in creating the festival truly reflected the characteristics of traditional Japanese culture”
The participants shared the following comments about the program as a whole:
“Thanks to the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the teachers, I was able to participate with a sense of ease.” “It was a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience.” “I learned a lot, and I am now inspired to study even more.” Some participants said that cultural exchange with study partners motivated them to learn Japanese more. Study partners have also shared that the interactions gained through volunteering in this program provided new insights and motivation for their future studies, indicating that our program served as an opportunity for growth for both participants and study partners.
We aim to improve the program content based on the feedback and provide a program that more accurately meets the needs of the participants.
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国際教養教育院事務室 TEL：075-251-3240
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This is an important announcement for those who hold “STUDENT” status AND who was accepted to Doshisha University via the examination OTHER THAN the “Examination for International Students” regarding a status of residence and request for scholarships. Please be sure to check the details below and submit the web forms by the deadline.
Consent for Third-Party Provision of Personal Information and Submission of Residence Card and Contact Information Form【Mandatory for all students】
Submission deadline
By 5:00 p.m. JST. Friday, September 26, 2025
Details
Please make sure to check the details of how to submit this web form on the web page of orientation for newly enrolled international students.
Submission document and web form
Please insert and paste the images of "Residence Card" and "Student ID Card" in the document above and upload it via the following web form. (In order to use the web form, the user ID and password issued by Doshisha University are required. )
Submission of the Doshisha University International Student Scholarship Recommendation Request Form (for interested applicants only)
Submission deadline
By 5:00 p.m. JST. Friday, September 26, 2025
Details
Please make sure to check the details of how to submit this web form on the web page of orientation for newly enrolled international students.
Submission document and web form
Please fill in the "Scholarship Recommendation Request Form (Excel)" above and access the web form below, enter your personal information: faculty or graduate school, contact information, and upload the "Scholarship Recommendation Request Form (Excel)". (In order to use the web form, the user ID and password issued by Doshisha University are required. )
Application form of Doshisha University Merit Scholarships for Self-Funded International Students (for interested applicants only)
Submission deadline
By 5:00 p.m. JST. Friday, September 26, 2025
Details
Students who took the exam for International Students, ILA, ISTC or Business School (GBMS), etc. and who were already selected to receive this scholarship or receive a notification of "not granted" don’t need to submit this form.
Eligible applicants
You must meet all the conditions below.
- A regular student who was accepted to Doshisha University via the examination OTHER THAN the “Examination for International Students”
- A regular student holding a “Student Visa”
- A regular student who wish to apply for Doshisha University Merit Scholarships for Self-Funded International Students
- A regular student who haven’t applied for Doshisha University Merit Scholarships for Self-Funded International Students before
Submission document and web form
Please fill in the word file above and upload it to the web form. (In order to use the web form, the user ID and password issued by Doshisha University are required. )
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- Details of Peer Support Program for International Students
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国際センター 留学生課 TEL：075-251-3257
国際センター 留学生課（京田辺） TEL：0774-65-7453
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Harvard Summer School in Kyoto 2025 – Imadegawa Campus
Harvard Summer School (hereinafter referred to as HSS) in Kyoto successfully took place at Imadegawa Campus, Doshisha University. It was about 8 weeks program started from May 31 to July 25.
This year, twelve Harvard students participated in this summer program, and attended two academic courses: “Medicine and the Body In East Asia and In Europe” by Professor Shigehisa Kuriyama and“Japanese Architecture” by Professor Yukio Lippit. In addition to classroom lectures, students went on various field trips related to the lecture content. In addition to field trips to Nara, Byodoin, and Tairyu Sanso, students deepened their understanding of Japanese history and culture by experiencing incense listening, and Kintsugi activity.
In this program, Doshisha students participated in lectures as study partners. The study partners contributed to the program not only by sharing their perspectives and insights as local students in class, but also helping them learn about Japanese culture and day to day life. The study partners were very stimulated by the HSS professors and students and learned a lot from them. Outside of classes and field trips, they actively deepened exchanges. HSS students and Doshisha study partners built strong bonds and friendships by spending fulfilling 8 weeks together.
On the last day of the program, the farewell party was held in French restaurant “will” in the Kambaikan building. HSS professors, HSS students, Doshisha study partners, and host families who have welcomed HSS students attended the party. All the participants shared their memories, laughed a lot untill the last moment, and the program was closed with lots of smiles in a cheerful atmosphere.
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国際センター 留学生課 TEL：075-251-3257
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日本語版のニュースはこちらをご覧ください。
To Students:
Division of Academic Affairs
The classes of the fall semester in AY 2025 begin with on-demand classes starting on Wednesday, September 24th, and face-to-face classes on Wednesday, October 1st as per the academic calendar. Please continue to regularly check “Announcements from the University” on the Doshisha University Electronic Tutorial System (DUET), the Doshisha University Web Portal, the websites of the university and your faculty/school/graduate school, etc., in order not to miss any important information or necessary notices from the university.
1. About Classes
- Students will take 13 times of classroom instruction and twice on-demand instruction (the basic type class).
- The first week of the semester (September 24th (Wed.) to September 30th (Tue.)) is called “DO Week (Doshisha Opening Week)”. The orientation for the course registration and the first on-demand classes are held during DO Week. You have to take the "First On-Demand Class" during this period.
- For details on the way to take classes, be sure to refer to our website for details on the new academic calendar.
2. Class Format and Course Registration Schedule
- There are several types of class formats in addition to the basic "face-to-face" class.
- Please be sure to check the "Syllabus" after September 12th (Fri.) for the class format of the spring semester courses.
- There are courses for which syllabus changes have occurred since the registration for the spring semester courses. Please be sure to check the "Syllabus" after September 12th (Fri.) for the fall semester courses for which you have already registered and for courses you plan to add or change in the fall semester.
- You can access the URL of the first on-demand classes from the syllabus during DO Week.
- You are required to take the first on-demand class in parallel with course registration; some classes may have assignments during DO Week, so please work on them accordingly.
- Most on-demand classes are delivered using Panopto; for information on how to use Panopto and its manuals, please refer to the "Panopto User Manual (requires the university’s user ID to view)".
（Reference）
| Deletion Period of Advanced Registration | Sep. 12 (Fri.) - 14 (Sun.) |
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| Period of Advanced Registration (varying depending on the course) |
Sep. 17 (Wed.) - 24 (Wed.) |
| Period of Changes to Course Registration Accepted | Sep. 25 (Thu.) - 26 (Fri.) |
| Period of Confirmation of Registered Courses and Acceptance of Corrections | Oct. 2 (Thu.) - 6 (Mon.) |
| Application Withdrawal Period | Oct. 22 (Wed.) - 23 (Thu.) |
Please note that some schedules may differ depending on the course or your academic affiliation. Detailed information is available on our website.( in Japanese)
Regardless of the class format, it is important to carefully read the program guide, registration guidelines, etc. for your faculty/school and make a solid course registration plan.
For course registration, check in advance whether the courses for which you will register require general registration or advanced registration.
3. Notices about Classes and University Announcements
- Be sure to check e-class for information on when on-demand classes other than DO Week will be available and how to take remote classes after DO Week.*Please note that, depending on the course, alternative tools outside of e-class may be utilized; therefore, follow the instructions provided by the course instructor for specific details.*e-class will be renewed on September 1. Please click here( in Japanese) for details.
- Instructors of registered courses may contact students through e-class messages or announcements, DUET messages, etc.
- We recommend you make a habit of checking these platforms regularly to ensure that you do not miss important information.
- The university will make announcements basically through Announcements from University on DUET, the Doshisha University Web Portal, or the websites of the university, your faculty/school/graduate school. Remember to check back frequently.
4. Sales of Textbooks
- For sales of textbooks, refer to the following URL.
Doshisha Co-op website: “Information on Purchase of Textbooks for Doshisha University Students” ( in Japanese)
5. Self-study Spaces for Online Classes on Campus
- We have set up self-study rooms on campus where students can take online classes
- However, since each study room has only a limited number of seats, we cannot guarantee securing a seat for taking the real-time online instruction.
- For the classrooms to be used as study room, check “Announcements from University” on DUET.*We encourage Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), where students bring their own devices (laptops, etc.) to the university for use.About BYOD at Doshisha University ( in Japanese)*Please bring your own earphones with microphone to take online classes.
*The number of outlets on campus is limited so using a mobile battery is recommended.
6. Copyright and Privacy Protection in Classes
- Unless previously approved by the course instructor, the following actions are prohibited:・Recording of the classes (including capturing images of blackboards/screens)
・Audio or video recording of the classes
・Copying the materials distributed during a class
・Downloading the videos stored on servers for viewing
- Even with the instructor's permission to record, capture, or download classes and lecture materials, it is not allowed to share or publicly disclose them to third parties without authorization. Additionally, when recording or capturing a class with the instructor's permission, make sure to obtain consent from all individuals appearing in the footage.
- Please also be aware of the following points:
・Do not share access information (URLs, access codes, etc.) for remote classes, which is shared with the registered participants, with the students who are not registered in the course or do not publish it on the internet.・Lecture materials are protected by copyright. Do not share or publicly disclose them without permission.
・Do not share emails or chat exchanges with instructors on the internet or do not forward them without permission.
・When participating in two-way online classes using a webcam, be mindful of your background. If there are items you don’t want to show, consider using a virtual background.
*Information on copyright and privacy protection is explained in the texts for the Information Ethics & Network User Certification Examination. Please also review our website on copyright (in Japanese).
Through mutual teaching and interaction between international and local students, each person was able to complete a beautiful Mizuhiki!
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国際センター 留学生課 TEL：075-251-3257
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If you’re interested, please check out our official Instagram or the Doshisha University website for future events!
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国際センター 留学生課（京田辺） TEL：0774-65-7453
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国際センター 留学生課 TEL：075-251-3257
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We would be happy if the participants could survive the hot and humid summer in Japan by using the Uchiwa fans they created.
(This event was originally scheduled for July 3rd, but was held on the 4th due to scheduling circumstances.)
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国際センター 留学生課 TEL：075-251-3257
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A total of seven people, six international students and one local student, participated in the event and had a great time.
It was a great pleasure to see the participants actively communicating with each other and getting to know each other during the free time for strolling.
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国際センター 留学生課（京田辺） TEL：0774-65-7453
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国際センター 留学生課 TEL：075-251-3257
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As the shrine we visited is not only beautiful place but also rich in history, we were very pleased that the participants were able to experience a piece of Japanese culture and history through this event.
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国際センター 留学生課（京田辺） TEL：0774-65-7453
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Each participant then set a specific goal for the SDGs that he or she would like to work toward in the future.
At the end of the event, participants were presented with Doshisha University limited edition eco-bags as prizes.
The participants seemed satisfied with the event.
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国際センター 留学生課 TEL：075-251-3257
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