Organization for Research Initiatives and Development

Doshisha University created the Office for Research Initiatives and Development in order to establish the university as a base for advanced interdisciplinary research, and to provide broad support for research activities.
The Office for Research lnitiatives and Development, which is comprised of numerous organizations and shared facilities for advanced research, returns the benefits of research activities to the educational field, and contributes to society as a whole.

Base for Advanced Education and Research

The purpose of this Office is to form a Base for Advanced Education and Research at Doshisha University, to improve graduate school education through distinctive and advanced research, and to pass on the results of research to society.

Center for Interdisciplinary Study of Monotheistic Religions [CISMOR]

This Center undertakes comprehensive and interdisciplinary research in the field of monotheistic religions, and focuses on achieving peace and coexistence among the civilizations that have developed around the Christian, Islamic, and Jewish religions.

Institute for Technology, Enterprise and Competitiveness [ITEC]

This Center is involved in advanced, comprehensive research in technological strategies, innovative management and organizations, and international competitive capabilities.

Research Center for Energy Conversion System

This Center conducts advanced, systematic research into next-generation zero-emission energy transformation systems with the goal of identifying the most ideal energy transformation processes for protecting the natural environment.

Life Rlsk Research Center

The Center investigates various issues associated with risks and uncertainties which occur during human life courses. Particular attention is paid to social security, care systems, ordinary civil lives, risks which are common to females, and employment / income. We intend to produce not only research outputs but also policy proposals in these fields.

Doshisha Research Project for Active Life in Space Engineering and Medical Biology［Doshisha Space-DREAM Project］

Research Centers

The goal of these Research Centers is to open up new directions in modern applied research, and at the same time to foster young researchers through ties to research and education at the University's Graduate Schools. Many of the full-time faculty members from Doshisha University are active as researchers at the various Research Centers, which also welcome eminent researchers from Japan and around the world as guest fellows. In this way, the Research Centers are able to strive for the world's highest standards.

Higher Education and Student Research Center

This research center aims to further the research base of student surveys that it has conducted over the years, and enhance theoretical studies on student growth and achievement. The center also aims at expanding its activities to practical studies that will help universities participating in the center’s student surveys to improve their educational system and student learning using the data and analysis of the survey results that the center provides.

Center for Korean Studies

As a hub for the Kyoto Consortium for Korean Studies, this research center engages in a range of activities including seminars, international academic conferences and workshops for young researchers, joint research projects, and research support for young researchers. Through such efforts, the center aims to energize research activities on the Korean Peninsula and train next-generation researchers for work in this field.

Innovative Computing Research Center

This research center aims to activate and diversify research activities at Doshisha University in the fields of calculation simulation and computing systems by providing a growing number of researchers in related fields with venues to gather and gain support, and also by forming a research hub in which other universities and companies can participate.

Mobility Research Center

A paradigm shift in mobility led by technological innovation related to information and communication is required in developed countries that are rapidly transitioning to aging societies, and also developing countries where traffic problems and environmental degradation are in progress. For example, while personal mobility devices, which have been studied from a viewpoint of efficiency in people’s travel behavior, require a combination of sensing, automatic control and robot technologies based on information and communication technology, it is also important to investigate a system for distributing such devices throughout society with consideration for building a complementary relationship between existing transportation options such as cars and next-generation mobility vehicles. The center conducts research, development and dissemination of new technologies for realizing mobility innovation for the future by closely combining and integrating the information system, the control system and the social system.

Research and Development Center for Advanced Composite Materials

This research center conducts research on carbon fiber-reinforced composite materials with a focus on their evaluation and processing technology, and aims to become a leading base for disseminating research findings in this field. Carbon fiber-reinforced composite materials are used in the manufacture of small- and medium-sized aircrafts, automobiles and robots, which require mass-production technologies and whose further development is expected.

Research Center for Nano-Bioscience

The rapid advances in bioscience and evolution of nanoscience where nanosized and mesoscopic-sized molecular assemblies are designed and synthesized enable us to understand vital phenomena at the molecular level. In this research center, chemists, biologists, physicists, and mathematicians work together to develop new nano-biomaterials on the basis of the knowledge of nano-bioscience. The center will also establish Doshisha’s own system for supplying the nano-biomaterials to various fields and spreading the knowledge widely all over the world.

Center for the Study of the Creative Economy

To strategically strengthen Japan’s economic competitiveness in the 21st century and enhance people’s quality of life, it is of great importance to deepen understanding of the kind of creativity that leads to innovation with market value. On that premise, this research center aims to advance fundamental research on environments that promote the development of products and services based on creativity, as well as market expansion strategy in the global market, with a view to developing policy proposals. Specifically, the center deals with research themes such as R&D strategies, human resource development, the creative city, nation branding and development plans of creative industries, and welfare policies. At the same time, the center conducts comprehensive research on the aforementioned themes and disseminates the research findings in Japan and beyond.

The Amami-Okinawa-Ryukyu Research Center

This research center conducts joint research on the history and contemporary issues of the Ryukyu Islands including the Amami Islands, and also cultivates young researchers who will engage in studies on Amami, Okinawa and Ryukyu to establish a continuous research network in the field. ‘Amami’ is included in the name of the center because when examining the modern and contemporary history of Ryukyu, Okinawa-Amami relations hold great importance, and the history of Amami has its own specificity that prevents it from being integrated into the histories of Ryukyu and Okinawa.

Medical Ultrasound Research Center

Subsidized by MEXT’s ‘Supported Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private Universities’, this research center works to clarify the ultrasound output range for safe use, establish a highly accurate quantitative examination technique,and organize a system to continuously define safety standards even after the government-aided program ends. Ultimately, the center aims to strengthen the foundation for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques based on ultrasound technology, and form a research base for the development of patient-friendly medical technology.

Research Center for Psychological Science

In recent years, the subject of mental health has gained in prominence in many societies. Issues include, for example, bullying and corporal punishment in schools, and pressure on working women trying to raise a family, a cited factor behind Japan’s declining birth rate. In addition, an increase in people with mental illness or a developmental disability is drawing social attention. Interdisciplinary studies, centering on psychology, are required to resolve these issues.
This research center conducts fundamental research on these issues in animals and humans by applying brain science and behavioral science approaches. It aims to expand this into practical research with a view to supporting child development, education and the elderly from a perspective of lifelong education and development targeting everyone from infants, mothers and teachers to the elderly. The center also promotes activities oriented toward fundamental research and practice in clinical psychology. In addition, the center will clarify a mechanism of human relations in society and organizations, and extend support to bring about a harmonious social environment.

Research Center for Highly-functional Nanoparticles

Doshisha University has been pioneering fundamental research on the creation of highly-functional nanoparticles, and possesses high potential for knowledge accumulation in this field. Kyoto is a region where particle industries have been traditionally active and there are many world-class companies using nanoparticles such as metallic particles, and ceramics, as materials. Against this background, universities and industries collaborate to cultivate local industries and implement the regional COE (Center of Excellence) program supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. Based on the challenges discovered through this university-industry collaboration, the Supported Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private Universities has been implemented. Furthermore, to realize the process design concept cultivated in these initiatives, the center will create highly-functional nanoparticles and develop particulate processes that enable the creation of devices.

Research Center for Kyoto and tea culture

Kyoto is the center of Japan’s traditional culture. It also holds an important position in the history of cultivation, production and consumption of Japanese tea, and the development of the tea ceremony and related art works. It was Yae Neesima (our founder’s wife) who promoted women’s participation in the tea ceremony after the Modern era. As an area that not only produces high-quality tea but is also home to the Grand Master of the Urasenke School of Tea, Kyoto has always been inextricably linked to tea culture. Capitalizing upon these characteristics of Kyoto, this research center conducts interdisciplinary and comprehensive research on the relationship between the regional identity of Kyoto and tea, whose culture is renowned throughout the world alongside Japanese cuisine, through industry-university-government collaboration. The center aims to not only disseminate its research findings through publications, but also to promote the holding of cultural events and symposiums in Kyoto, thereby making a meaningful contribution to regional vitalization and wider society.

Research Center for Plantations in Southeast Asia

The primary aims of this research center are to investigate and study
(1) the causes of ongoing expansion of oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia and its impact on the local society, economy and nature, and (2) trends in the development of plantations in general, as well as the cultivation of the cash crops, in Southeast Asia. Utilizing data from the aforementioned investigation, the center will identify the problems of the expansion of oil palm plantations in the overall structure of plantation crops production and attempt to revitalize the research on those problems. Furthermore, the center will comprehensively clarify the changes in agriculture, society, economy and natural environment of the region, and, by looking at the future direction there, announce the research findings, including problem-solving propositions, to a wider audience.

Advanced Biomedical Engineering Research Center

In its constant aim of developing novel therapeutic modalities for the treatment of sight-threatening severe corneal diseases, the Advanced Biomedical Engineering Research Center at Doshisha University focuses on developments in regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical pathways for corneal diseases through the elucidation of pathological conditions. This center has a long and impressive record of presenting fundamental breakthroughs in cornea-related regenerative medicine, and aims to become a key hub in the global network of translational research and associated clinical applications through close collaboration with leading medical research universities and industry worldwide. In addition, the center continually focuses on developing a core group of next-generation researchers as well as the formation of a research base via the expert training of graduate students and visiting international research fellows.

Advanced Biomaterial Research Center

This research center aims to contribute to medicine, medical care and engineering through the development of advanced biomaterials, and also aims to promote the invention of world-class biomaterials, the development of processing technology, and the study of clinical application.

Center for the Study of Conscience

The goals of this research center are to examine ‘conscience’ in contemporary society and establish the ‘study of conscience’ as an interdisciplinary academic field through the exploration of its possibilities for application and practice. Furthermore, the center aims to disseminate the research findings in Japan and abroad, and establish a new academic community in this field.

Center for Research in Public Services

This research center aims to conduct a contemporary and practical investigation to clarify the problems facing public services under the cooperation of organizations and groups involved in public services, and develop theories and methods for solving issues both current and future.

Center for Social Wellness Studies

This research center aims to pursue the following research themes:

1. Cultivation of specialists in wildlife management
2. Development of a ‘smart hunting system’ for reducing the burden on hunters and securing the quality of wild game meat
3. An empirical study on the accumulation of social capital with ‘solidarity’ as a guiding concept
4. Implementation of a project to develop abilities of self-sustainment, self-sufficiency and independence through the practices of cultivation, processing and manufacturing based on the past achievements of human resource development by organic farming, and food and agriculture education for children
5. Practical research on the creation of renewable energy by citizens using an increasingly widespread innovative solar house system
6. A study on the increase in social effectiveness and efficiency of medicine based on a Personal Health Record (an electronic medical record maintained and controlled by patients).

Center for Wing of Empirically Supported Treatments (WEST)

This research center aims to take on a central role in Western Japan to promote increased development, dissemination and research of the empirically supported treatments in Japan.

Systems Neuroscience Research Center

Neural circuits mediate brain functions such as movement and learning, however, their mechanism has not been fully identified. This research center aims to pursue the principles of neural circuits beyond the framework of brain region and brain diseases, and apply the findings to clinical practice.

Feminist Gender Sexuality Studies Center (FGSS Center)

This research center is working to establish a base for feminist gender sexuality studies where researchers gather and disseminate their findings in Japan and beyond. The center also aims to foster Doshisha University’s educational ideals of ‘Liberalism’ and ‘Internationalism’.

Center for Study of South China Sea

The Center for Study of South China Sea was established in 2015 to analyze the disputes in the South China Sea. The Center consists of specialists of international law, international politics and area studies.

International Research Center for Eco-aesthetics & science

Advanced Powertrain Research Center

This Center conducts Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program（SIP) of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation(CSTI) and some projects entrusted by Research Association of Automotive Internal Combustion Engines (AICE)

Research Center for International Transactions and Law [RECITAL]

The mission of Research Center for International Transactions and Law (RECITAL) is to research on issues related to international business and law. The major players in the global economy these days are companies in each country. They cannot make their businesses successful without having relations with businesses in other countries which have different laws, systems, customs, languages, and cultures. However, because of these differences, international business cannot be free from various problems and challenges. This Center seeks to contribute to solving these problems and also to the development of society through research on those issues.

Research Center for Well-being

Well-being refers to the positive state of being physically, psychologically, spiritually, and socially. Well-being is beyond the mere emotional happiness. The concept of well-being includes not only individual happiness but also it encompasses positive states of individuals in communities (such as schools, companies, society, etc.) in a broader sense. There has been an increasing awareness on the importance of the concept of well-being, among societies and the international community.

The Well-being Research Center aims to conduct following activities:

1. Examine various aspects of “well-being” and conduct interdisciplinary research on measures to attain well-being. For interdisciplinary study, our researchers are coming from the areas of brain science, psychology, sociology, business science, global sociology research, etc.
2. Undertake a multifaceted research on the "well-being" culture reflecting Japanese (Kyoto’s) unique culture, including tea ceremony, Zen, etc. We also aim to advance our understanding on the "way of being" based on those cultural contexts, in the areas of management and enterprise strategies aligned.
3. Based on the above, the center aims to foster Well-being related industries.

The center’s ultimate goal is to contribute “Well-being” (happiness) of the people regardless of nationality by widely disseminating the research outcomes from Kyoto to Japanese and international societies.

Center for History of Japan-German Jurisprudential Relation

Research Center for Space and Medical Sciences

One of the purposes of this research center is to investigate the physiological and/or biomedical adaptation in human and animals to the lower gravity environment on the Mars and moon, in addition to the microgravity. We would like to apply for the spaceflight experiments, if possible. However, all experimental models are not necessarily depended on the flight study. Investigation of the methods for prevention and/or inhibition of medical problems, such as locomotive syndrome caused by aging or reduced anti-gravitational physical activity, etc., by using various simulation models.

Research Center for Criminal Justice

This center researches on the crime and criminal justice. We take the important issues on crime and punishment, ranging from criminology, criminal law to criminal litigation(prosecution and sentencing), including treatment and rehabilitation of offenders, crime prevention, police and policing, juvenile justice and victim support etc.. We also take some particular crimes like terrorism, sexual offences, fraud, and road traffic offences.

Bio-Microfluidic Science Research Center

We research various types of flow in a microspace. We clarify and control their microfluidic flows, as well as read information from them. These studies are the first step to follow the path that the living organisms have walked on the process of evolution by controlling the flow of microspace from ancient times and improving and developing them.

Research Center for Science, Technology and Social Communication in Next Generation

The center consists of two groups, the integration of science-technology and social sciences, and the science communication of next generation. The aim of this center is to approach science and technology in human society from social scientific point of view and to study about development of human resources with scientific literacy.

International Infrastructure System Research Center

This research center conducts interdisciplinary and comprehensive research on infrastructure and related areas through a range of activities such as: holding research meetings and symposiums, publishing research reports, exchanging with universities and research organizations inside and outside of Japan, and training young researchers.

Research Center for Knowledge Science in Cultural Heritage

The purpose of this research center is to promote informationalization and restoration for recording and preservation of diverse cultural heritages of various regions and ethnicities, and to develop measurement technology development. And we widely publishes its achievements to field scientists around the world and aims to share its resources.

Applied Ultrasonics Research Center

This research center focuses on “Ultrasound” and related studies, with engineering points of view. The interdisciplinary approach with ultrasound is expected to create new topics in physics, electronics, mechanics, biology, and medical sciences. The center also encourages young researchers to develop industry-academia and international collaborations.

Research Centre for Small Business Management

The purpose of this research centre is to analyze and examine scientifically the management of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) thought to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Research Center for Electromagnetic and Electric Systems

Sports Medicine & Science Research Center

This research center is to establish the purpose of integrating the results of basic research and returning it to people's lives. In particular, it plays a role and function as a place for researchers' organic collaboration to the latest social issues such as "physical activity guidelines for children", "physical activity and sleep" "prevention of lifestyle diseases" and "care prevention"

Sports Injury Prevention Research Center

Early detection of physical disorders by medical check are not enough for sports injury prevention. Comprehensive strategy would be required to reduce sports injuries, such as evidence based nutritional support, training method and conditioning therapy. The purpose of this center is to investigate the new sports injury prevention methods with medical doctors, physiotherapists, trainers, researchers of training science, health science and nutritional specialists. Results are supposed to report widely both within and outside Japan.

Doshisha University Latin America Studies Center

Doshisha Latin American Studies Center is expected to be the center of Latin American Studies in Kansai area. The purpose of this Center is to study comprehensively on Latin American issues such as immigration, human rights regime and politics and economics.
This center is also required to contribute to improvement of the level of Latin American studies in Japan.

Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Dementia is an urgent medical and social issue in Japan. The purpose of the Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases is to clarify the pathogenesis of dementia, to develop diagnostic methids and treatments, and to develop novel techniques for the research in the field of neuroscience. We will establish a research network in neurodegenerative disease and aim to disseminate the latest finding and advances in dementia studies and foster next-generation researchers in neurodegenerative disease.

Artificial Intelligence Engineering Research Center

Interest in artificial intelligence (AI) is booming again due to recent advances in deep learning underpinned by powerful computer hardware and the availability of large and diverse data sets. Our mission is to develop AI technologies that can learn from multimedia, perform intellectual tasks, and collaborate with humans in meaningful ways. Our activities span basic and applied research, with a focus on machine learning, sensor networks, multimedia processing, and semantic analysis.

Research Center for Linguistic Ecology

Through an interdisciplinary approach based on linguistics, geography, culture and literary studies, data science, and other scientific fields, this center aims to explore not only the intrinsic characteristics of language itself but also the variation and change arising from complex interactions between language and its sociocultural and geographical environment. In the process, special importance is attached to firsthand data collected from field work and experiments, and social and educational contributions will be made through research outcomes.

Work Environment and Science/Technology Research Center

This center is established for the following four purposes. The first is to consider individual’s style of work and labor. The second is to study social institutions and the organizational social responsibility related to the working culture. The third is to examine the influence of science and technology in the workplace. The fourth is to examine the thinking and behavior of people working at sites that produce science and technology. It is also the aim of this center to conduct international research exchange.

Research Institute of Sport Management

After deciding to hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games, private investment in sports has become active, and many new business models are appearing.
This research center aims to strengthen mutual relations in the linkage of industry, government and academia from the viewpoint of sports management, to share the knowledge system of sports business and to examine the way of new business model.

Research Institute for STEM Human Resources

The value of STEM people has never been so high than in 21st century. It is particularly true in Japan. But the public resources for all levels of education have been shrinking in the past 20 years. We will conduct research on the linkage between all types of educational resources and their impacts on wellbeing of people and society in general. We are particularly interested in the following three issues, which we have decided to focus in the research projects we will conduct in the next few years. The first is what make engineers more productive, creative and happy. The second is what is the relationship between the institutional STEM education and the economic and social state of its nation. The third is the quantity, quality and inter-working of health professional and their impacts on patient’s quality of life and the national expenditure on health. We will conduct those researches with domestic and international collaborators.

Research Projects for External Grants

Research Projects for External Grants, which operate based on grants from individuals, corporations, companies, and other external organizations, are established with the goal of contributing to the vitality and diversity of research and education activities at Doshisha University. Unique courses and open classes are also offered as part of these projects in the form of "contributed classes."

Anti-Aging Medical Research Center

Classifying aging as a disease, this center conducts scientific investigations into the phenomena generated in the aging process from birth to death. It aims to use the research findings to prevent various diseases such as lifestyle-related conditions, as well as to help eliminate disease-causing factors such as stress-related fatigue and decreased immunity, and ultimately aims to contribute to the promotion of people’s health and well-being.

Research Center for Inflammation and Regenerative Medicine

This research center conducts medical research, from fundamentals to clinical application, to explore the causes of clinical conditions such as body damage and inflammation, and apply the findings in the treatment of various diseases.

Glycative Stress Research Center

Glycation is a non-enzymatic reaction between reducing sugars and proteins, which results in the formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), advanced glycation of proteins, and induction of receptor-mediated inflammation. Therefore, glycative stress is believed to be one of the risk factors affecting aging. This research center aims to establish a measurement method of a glycative stress marker and further the research based on the fundamental research on the mechanism of glycative stress with a view to developing anti-glycation agents in the future.