Okayama University Holds FY2026 Research Assistant Professor Certification Ceremony – Promoting Opportunities for Young Researchers and Strengthening Research and Innovation

June 3, 2026
National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆Overview

National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu) held the FY2026 Okayama University Research Assistant Professor Certification Ceremony on April 17, 2026, in the President's Office on the Tsushima Campus.

This system aims to strengthen the university's research capabilities and innovation creation, create opportunities for young researchers to thrive, and correct the age composition of faculty members. Certified Research Assistant Professors are expected to engage primarily in research during their term, which is generally three years, and serve as the core of the university's research activities.

During the ceremony, President Yasutomo Nasu presented certificates of certification to each recipient with high expectations, in the presence of Vice Director (Research and Industry-Academia Collaboration), Vice President (Academic Affairs), and Senior URA Norihito Sato. In the subsequent short-time presentation session, the certified researchers presented their research overviews and aspirations for the next three years. President Nasu encouraged them, saying, "As researchers at a research university that transforms society, I expect presentations that capture the audience's interest even in a short time. Each of your efforts connects to the future. The university, including myself, will firmly support you for a better future." The certified researchers passionately conveyed the significance of their research, and the ceremony was filled with a warm atmosphere celebrating their new beginnings.

The university operates the "Okayama University Young Researcher Development Support Package," a comprehensive support system for young researchers. For example, the "Okayama University Research Professor and Research Associate Professor System," which runs alongside the current "Research Assistant Professor" system, has been implemented since FY2018 to promote associate professors as independent Principal Investigators (PIs) by granting the title of Research Professor along with incentives such as research funding allocation and enhanced research activities. Since FY2020, a "Research Associate Professor System" targeting lecturers and assistant professors has also been in place.

Furthermore, as part of the "Okayama University Senior and Mid-Career Researcher Support Package," the university operates a "Distinguished Professor System" for professors with outstanding research achievements and an "Honorary Professor System" that includes incentives such as extending the retirement age to 75. This ensures a support system for researchers of all ages.

The university is advancing various reforms to create an exciting research environment that thrills researchers. We look forward to the continued success of the Research Assistant Professors at Okayama University, an open, regionally-focused, and distinctive research university.

This announcement was made public on June 1, 2026.

〇Researchers Certified as Research Assistant Professors this time:
　Academic Research Institute, Domain of Environmental and Life Natural Sciences: Haruka Minato
　Academic Research Institute, Domain of Environmental and Life Natural Sciences: Haruya Kuroda
　Academic Research Institute, Domain of Environmental and Life Natural Sciences: Naoki Oku
　Academic Research Institute, Domain of Environmental and Life Natural Sciences: Yu Ishida
　Academic Research Institute, Cutting-Edge Research Area (Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations): Maki Tarora
　Academic Research Institute, Domain of Medical and Dental Sciences: Mashu Futagawa
　Academic Research Institute, Domain of Education: Yasuhiro Yamamoto