Okayama University Introduces Its Initiatives at J-PEAKS Study Meeting on Transforming Technical Staff and Organizations for Research Infrastructure Enhancement

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) introduced its advanced initiatives concerning the organization and human resources of its technical staff at the "Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities Enhancement Promotion Project (J-PEAKS) Study Meeting: Transformation of Technical Staff and Their Organizations for Strengthening and Promoting Research Infrastructure in Japan – Including Challenges and Necessities" hosted by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) on May 18, 2026.

This study meeting is held online, inviting experts from various fields to provide information that contributes to the realization of university visions at each J-PEAKS-selected university. This session covered topics including Japan's first guidelines for technical staff personnel systems announced by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) at the end of the previous fiscal year, and the ideal state of technical staff responsible for shared research infrastructure and equipment, a key initiative within J-PEAKS. Approximately 300 participants from J-PEAKS-selected universities and other institutions nationwide viewed the session.

The facilitator for the meeting was Norihito Sato, Vice Director (Research and Industry-Academia Collaboration), Vice President (Academic Affairs), and Senior URA, who serves as Okayama University's J-PEAKS Liaison.

In the two keynote lectures, Yuichi Inoue, Director General of the Cabinet Office's Science, Technology and Innovation Promotion Secretariat, spoke on "Proposals for Reforming Japan's Research System – From the 7th Science, Technology and Innovation Basic Plan," and Takehito Yoza, Deputy Director of the Human Resources Policy Promotion Office, Human Resources Policy Division, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, MEXT, lectured on "Guidelines for Technical Staff Personnel Systems." Director General Inoue introduced Japan's science, technology, and innovation past, present, and future, incorporating policy trends. He also mentioned with anticipation the "Advanced Research Infrastructure Renewal Project (EPOCH)," a project to renew Japan's research infrastructure that was open for applications at the time of the lecture. Deputy Director Yoza clearly explained the background of the guideline's establishment and its key points.

Following the keynote lectures, case studies were presented. Hiroshi Amitsuka, Vice President and Executive Director of Hokkaido University, presented "Reform of Research Infrastructure and Technical Personnel at Hokkaido University – From the Core Facility Concept to the Establishment of ITeCH." Okayama University's Vice Director, Vice President, and Senior URA Sato presented "Challenge to a New Form of Technical Staff: An Open Regional Core and Distinctive Research University – Okayama University Pioneers the Renewal of Technical Staff and Organization," showcasing good practices from J-PEAKS-selected universities. The Q&A session included lively discussions, including proposals.

Okayama University, together with other J-PEAKS-selected universities, will form a group of research universities in Japan under the spirit of "what we can do together, we do together," and will promote the strengthening of research capabilities and innovation creation. Please continue to look forward to the initiatives of Okayama University, an open regional core and distinctive research university, and other J-PEAKS-selected universities.

This information was released by Okayama University on May 28, 2026.

〇Comment from Norihito Sato, Vice Director (Research and Industry-Academia Collaboration), Vice President (Academic Affairs), Senior URA, and Okayama University J-PEAKS Liaison, who served as facilitator and lecturer

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the相关人员 at JSPS, the organizer, for their meticulous support from the preparation stage. I also thank Director General Inoue, Deputy Director Yoza, and Vice President/Executive Director Amitsuka for their lectures despite their extremely busy schedules.

This study meeting covered a wide range of topics, from policy to guidelines and case studies, and I feel it underscored the importance of making decisions and taking action with a sense of ownership regarding the renewal of Japan's research infrastructure.

We, as universities, must change with a sense of speed. It is crucial to properly grasp, organize, and implement the information for that purpose. Okayama University also wants to continue transforming without resting on its laurels.

〇Comment from President Yasutomo Nasu

The initiatives of Okayama University introduced by Vice Director, Vice President, and Senior URA Sato at this study meeting are already moving to the next step. The General Technical Division, established four years ago, will be reborn as a direct-control organization under the university president from the next fiscal year. Furthermore, technical staff are being upgraded through the operation of Japan's first Technical Director (Gikan) system and Honorary Technical Director system. Within this, technical staff are expected to "evolve" from simply being "attendants" or "stationed personnel" for research equipment into highly specialized human resources (Technical Project Managers: Technical PMs) who can manage technical consulting and technical research and development for researchers and society using their own knowledge and skills. The reason we are promoting these initiatives is because we have a responsibility as a J-PEAKS-selected university and to realize the ideal state our university aims for.

With the pride of being responsible for the renewal and sustainable operation of shared research infrastructure and equipment that underpins Japan's group of research universities, we will continue to transform. Please look forward to the challenges of Okayama University.

President Yasutomo Nasu and Vice Director, Vice President, and Senior URA Sato (right)

〇Lecture materials can be viewed on the JSPS study meeting website below
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) hosted "Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities Enhancement Promotion Project (J-PEAKS) Study Meeting: Transformation of Technical Staff and Their Organizations for Strengthening and Promoting Research Infrastructure in Japan – Including Challenges and Necessities"

https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-chukaku/jpeaksbenkyokai.html

Lecture materials: About Okayama University's initiatives

Lecture materials: About the advancement of technical staff "Operation of the System-specific Technical Director System"

Lecture materials: About the advancement of technical staff "Japan's Academia's First Award of the Title of Honorary Technical Director"

Lecture materials: About the advancement of technical staff "Okayama University Study Support System"

Lecture materials: About securing research time and reducing annual costs

Lecture materials: About the research equipment rental/lease platform "SX Platform" 1

Lecture materials: About the research equipment rental/lease platform "SX Platform" 2

Lecture materials: About the Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima Helium Recycling Network (Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet), which covers from research infrastructure to economic security

◆References

・Okayama University Vision 3.0 / Okayama University Long-term Vision 2050

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/profile/ou-vision.html

・National University Corporation Okayama University Research University Declaration

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003808.000072793.html

・Okayama University General Technical Division

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

・Okayama University Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities Enhancement Promotion Project (J-PEAKS)

https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

・SX Platform ~From "Ownership" to "Sharing." A cost-effective rental/lease platform for research equipment~

https://sxplatform.jp/

・Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Guidelines for Technical Staff Personnel Systems"

https://www.mext.go.jp/b_me