[Okayama University] Holds 2nd General Meeting for FY2025 of the "SX Platform" for Research Equipment Rental/Lease, Eliminating Setup, Maintenance, Repair, and Removal Costs – Osaka Metropolitan University Joins –

March 30, 2026 National University Corporation Okayama University https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆Overview National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasuyuki Hibino) held the second general meeting of the fiscal year for the research equipment rental (lease) platform, "Shared Transformation (SX) Platform," on March 13, 2026. The meeting was held in a hybrid format, both on-site (at the university's Tsushima Campus) and online. In addition to our university, JEOL Ltd. and ORIX Rentec Corporation participated, with Shimadzu Corporation attending as an observer.

The current situation regarding research equipment in Japan, particularly within national university corporations, is extremely challenging. It is difficult not only to purchase expensive analytical instruments but also to secure funds for their maintenance and management. The SX Platform is a new initiative established through industry-academia collaboration to solve these issues and enable more researchers to utilize cutting-edge analytical instruments. By expanding options from the conventional approach of "buying" to a model centered on renting and leasing, it aims to improve the research environment for researchers and significantly contribute to the skill development of technical staff. The platform was launched on September 18 last year.

At the beginning of the meeting, Norihito Sato, Vice President (in charge of Research and Industry-Academia Co-creation) and Vice Provost (in charge of Academic Affairs) and Senior URA of our university, reported on the platform's activities since its launch, including the website's establishment, online information sessions, and symposiums. He also announced that Osaka Metropolitan University has newly joined the platform. Furthermore, he explained that the platform is related to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Program for the Innovation of Advanced Research Infrastructure (EPOCH)" and that numerous inquiries have been received regarding the platform.

During the meeting, participants actively discussed identifying challenges, proposing initiatives for better service provision, and expanding the organization in the coming fiscal year.

Shinichi Watanabe, Advisor (Special Appointment for Management Strategy) at JEOL Ltd., commented on the meeting: "The SX Platform is not our company's platform; it was established with like-minded individuals to contribute to the innovation of Japan's research infrastructure. We are deeply grateful that Osaka Metropolitan University has joined us. We are also encouraged by Shimadzu Corporation's participation in this meeting, which strengthens our steps towards co-creation beyond corporate boundaries. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Program for the Innovation of Advanced Research Infrastructure (EPOCH), as mentioned by Vice President Sato, is the last chance for the innovation of Japan's research infrastructure, and we companies feel a great responsibility. We want to operate the SX Platform effectively with everyone, ensuring that we do not repeat the "mistakes of the past."

This initiative is being implemented as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Regional Core and Characteristic Research Universities (J-PEAKS)" (Implementing Body: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), which our university has been selected for. However, it is not being implemented solely because it is a J-PEAKS initiative; we are proceeding with the spirit of taking initiative to innovate Japan's research infrastructure and foster a group of open research universities.