[Okayama University] Okayama University J-PEAKS Symposium Held: The Forefront of University Reform under the Japan Program for Enhancing Research Universities (J-PEAKS)

May 31, 2026
Okayama University

◆ Overview

On January 27, 2026, Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu) held the "Okayama University J-PEAKS Symposium - The Forefront of University Reform by J-PEAKS" at the Okayama Convention Center in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation. The event was structured in two parts: a "Plenary Session" in the morning and "Theme-Specific Sessions" in the afternoon, with a total of over 300 participants attending both in-person and online.

The symposium was held with the aim for Okayama University, which has been selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's (MEXT) "Japan Program for Enhancing Research Universities with Regional Core and Distinctive Characteristics (J-PEAKS)," and other J-PEAKS-related universities and institutions to share the outcomes and challenges of their initiatives, strengthen future collaboration and networks, and further deepen their efforts through discussion.

At the opening, a message from an avatar of President Yasutomo Nasu, created by students from the university's Data Science Club (DS Club), was screened, followed by the appearance of the "real" President Nasu. He greeted the audience, stating, "I would like to convey the details of our university's efforts and our commitment to the formation of a research university consortium and university reform in Japan, which is the purpose of J-PEAKS, and make this a symposium that will be useful and lead to the next steps for everyone."

In the keynote speech, Mr. Takahiro Ueyama, a Senior Policy Advisor to the Cabinet Office, delivered a lecture titled "Game Evolution from the University Management Frontier." Starting from the university management model in the United States in the 1980s, he indicated that the conventional university model that has continued for 40 years and the roles expected of universities by society are reaching a critical point, and we are entering an era where universities must re-examine and differentiate their own models and social roles.

Following this, President Nasu gave a presentation titled "University Management Reform Utilizing J-PEAKS," introducing initiatives promoted by Okayama University, such as the Okayama University Research and Development Management Personnel Certification System, innovation creation in the Symbiotic Federation (National Strategic Special Zone-related university collaboration), university governance reform, and the cultivation of knowledge workers. A policy was shared to move from an exhausting "competition" among domestic universities to a "co-creation" where they can take on challenges together with excitement. He expressed the university's commitment to act as a "first penguin" in tackling new initiatives and painful reforms, and to disseminate the results to other institutions. Concluding his speech, he quoted Senichi Hoshino, a professional baseball player from Okayama Prefecture, saying "When in doubt, move forward," demonstrating a strong will to turn pinches into great opportunities and advance, especially in difficult times.

A panel discussion was held with Vice President Tomomi Miyake of Kyushu Institute of Technology, Special Advisor to the President Tomohisa Yamamoto of Chiba University, and Specially Appointed Vice President Tadachika Nakayama of Nagaoka University of Technology as panelists. Moderated by Norihito Sato, Vice President, Executive Director, and Senior URA (JSPS Liaison) of Okayama University, a lively discussion took place from the perspective of "What can the J-PEAKS university group do together to achieve social transformation?" aiming for social change and the formation of a new academic hub and research university consortium through common initiatives.

To conclude the morning session, a summary was provided by Professor Akira Fujimaki of the Institute of Innovation for Future Society at Nagoya University, who serves as a supporter for Okayama University and Shinshu University on the J-PEAKS support team from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Finally, Director Yukari Mimura of Okayama University gave the closing remarks, stating, "After hearing the lecture by Senior Policy Advisor Ueyama, I felt the necessity to accelerate reforms with a view to the next 40 years."

The afternoon's theme-specific sessions were held in four separate venues. In addition to the "3rd Okayama University-Shinshu University Collaborative Symposium," workshops were held on themes such as "A New Trend in Regional Revitalization by the Symbiotic Federation - The Future of Regional Industries and Human Resources Opened Up by Inter-University Collaboration" and "Connecting Knowledge and Technology to Foster the 'Power to Support Each Other' - Toward a Future of Co-creation Born from Sharing Tacit Knowledge." A short-term intensive workshop and opinion exchange meeting, the "J-PEAKS Administrative Office Future Co-creation Workshop," was also held for the administrative staff of each university's J-PEAKS office.

J-PEAKS aims to form a consortium of research universities that will lead the development of research capabilities for the entire nation. Okayama University, in line with its Long-Term Vision 2050 "A research university that co-creates the future of the region and the planet and contributes to global innovation," sympathizes with the purpose of J-PEAKS and utilizes it, while strongly promoting its strategy for strengthening research capabilities and creating innovation together with various stakeholders.

Please look forward to the continuous changes at Okayama University, a research university that co-creates the future of the region and the planet and realizes social transformation, and the challenges of the J-PEAKS-selected universities.

This information was released on May 31, 2026.