The 2nd CHANGE Symposium Held
On December 11, we held the second CHANGE Symposium at the Hall of Kawasaki Institute of Industry Promotion. This time, we focused on two main pillars related to research and development challenges: "Aging Control" and "Care Technology Industry," featuring keynote speeches and panel discussions.
The event began with opening remarks from Kazunori Kataoka, Center Director of iCONM. This was followed by greetings from Norihiko Fukuda, Mayor of Kawasaki City, and distinguished guests Nobuyuki Osakabe (Program Officer for the COI-NEXT), and Hiromasa Hirano (Director of the Regional Promotion Office, MEXT). Next, Takanori Ichiki, Project Leader and Research Director at iCONM (Professor at the University of Tokyo), introduced the center with a presentation titled "Challenges Toward Realizing a Resilient Health and Longevity Society."
In the first part of the symposium, titled "The Promising Future of Aging Control," we welcomed Prof. Makoto Nakanishi (Head of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo and Professor in the Cancer Defense Signal Group) for a keynote speech titled "Improving Age-Related Pathologies by Targeting Senescent Cells," where he discussed the forefront of aging control research. Following this, Nobuhiro Nishiyama (Tokyo Institute of Technology), leader of Research and Development Theme 3, introduced his research on smart nanomachines for aging control.
The panel discussion was moderated by Nishiyama, with panelists including Prof. Nakanishi, Akiko Takahashi (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Cancer Research Institute), Kensuke Osada (Quantum Science and Technology Development Agency), and Makoto Shimazaki (Deputy PL of CHANGE/iCONM Communication Manager). They discussed global trends in aging control research and challenges for social implementation.
At the beginning of the second part, titled "The Future Brought by Care × Technology," we watched video messages from young people representing the "Future Opinion Board," sharing their hopes for CHANGE and ideas about care technology.
The keynote speech was given by Nobuhiko Watanabe, Director of the Medical and Welfare Equipment Industry Division METI, on "The Future of Medical and Welfare Equipment Industry Policies at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry." He analyzed the current state and prospects of Japan's medical and welfare equipment industry, supported by data.
The panel discussion in this section was moderated by Koji Nagai, Deputy PL of CHANGE, and included panelists Nobuhiko Watanabe, Noboru Sakamoto (President of Kawasaki City University of Nursing), Akira Matsumoto (Leader of CHANGE Research and Development Theme 2/Professor at Tokyo Medical and Dental University), Haruka Yamagami (CEO of SOERUTE), and Yukihiro Kanda (Researcher at CHANGE). They shared insights on the challenges faced in nursing and suggestions from engineering researchers participating in nursing field training (shadowing).
Finally, Atsushi Miura, Chairperson of the Kawasaki Institute of Industry Promotion, delivered closing remarks to conclude the symposium.
On that day, a total of 237 participants attended from a wide range of fields, including medical and engineering researchers from universities and companies, as well as nursing, caregiving, pharmacy professionals, and general citizens. We would like to thank everyone who participated.
Opening Remarks: Kazunori Kataoka, Center Director of iCONM
Greeting: Norihiko Fukuda, Mayor of Kawasaki City
Guest Speech: Nobuyuki Osakabe, Project Officer of COI-NEXT
Guest Speech: Hiromasa Hirono from MEXT
Project Introduction: Takanori Ichiki, CHANGE Project Leader
Part 1 Keynote Speech: Prof. Makoto Nakanishi, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo
Part 1 Lecture: Nobuhiro Nishiyama, R&D Theme 3 Leader / Professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology
Part 1 Panel Discussion
Part 2 Video Message from Future Opinion Board
Part 2 Keynote Speech: Nobuhiko Watanabe from METI
Part 2 Panel Discussion
Closing Remarks: Atsushi Miura, Chairperson of Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion
Group Photo
