Okayama University: Iwate University Technical Staff Visit Okayama University – Exchanging Views on Expanding "Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet" to the Northern Tohoku Region as Part of Initiatives by Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities
Okayama University hosted technical staff from Iwate University to discuss the expansion of the "Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet" to the Northern Tohoku region. This initiative, part of Okayama University's efforts as a regional core and distinctive research university, aims to promote nationwide helium recycling and contribute to economic security.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 08:35
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 00:01
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April 29, 2026
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
On February 27, 2026, Mr. Hisashi Chiba, Chief of the First Technical Section, and Ms. Satomi Fujisaki, Chief of the Third Technical Section, from Iwate University's Faculty of Science and Engineering Technical Department, visited Okayama University's Tsushima Campus. They participated in an exchange of views with the Task Force for Promoting the Shared Use and Enhancement of Research Equipment regarding the "Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima Helium Recycling Business Network (HeReNet)."
From Okayama University, Vice Task Force Leader and Head of Institutional Collaboration Division (Chief URA) Koji Hatanaka, General Technology Department Manager Makoto Ishii, Technical Specialist Hisayuki Uragami, Technical Specialist Satoshi Hirota, Technical Staff Haruna Ando, Research Cooperation Division Specialist Hideaki Yamazaki, Administrative Staff Ryota Tomosada, and Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization Coordinator Zihuan Peng participated.
During the exchange, after an explanation of the business content of the Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet project promoted by Okayama University, a Q&A session and discussions were held regarding the expansion of HeReNet to the Northern Tohoku region. In conjunction, participants toured Okayama University's liquefaction equipment and other facilities, as well as Okayama University of Science's helium gas recovery equipment.
Discussions also covered "HeliGet" (recovering liquid helium from used equipment) and "HeliSET" (a helium-related human resource development program aimed at fostering next-generation helium users and stabilizing helium prices). Finally, a briefing session was held for the "WAN-WAN system," a smart speaker controller jointly developed by Iwate University and the Institute for Molecular Science, which can be applied to various detections such as water leaks and vibrations.
This exchange of views with Iwate University was a valuable opportunity to contribute to the nationwide spread of Okayama University's helium recycling project and to discuss future cooperation systems with Iwate University on helium recycling. Mr. Hisashi Chiba, Chief of the First Technical Section at Iwate University, stated, "Okayama University's efforts to promote the helium recycling project are wonderful. I would like to start considering the possibility of implementing helium recycling at Iwate University, utilizing the knowledge and experience gained from this visit."
As an open regional core and distinctive research university, Okayama University aims to greatly expand the scope of research and development using liquid helium by supplying it not only within the university but also to neighboring universities, research institutions, colleges of technology, and companies through "Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet" and "HeliGet." Furthermore, as Japan is 100% dependent on overseas sources for helium, this initiative is extremely important from the perspective of economic security. Okayama University is also developing and implementing "HeliSET," a helium-related human resource development program aimed at fostering next-generation helium users and stabilizing helium prices. The university will continue to promote "HeReNet," "HeliGet," and "HeliSET" collectively as the "He3 Project."
Please look forward to the continued efforts of Okayama University, an open regional core and distinctive research university, and its participating institutions, in their challenge to enhance Japan's research capabilities, foster innovation, and address critical initiatives within the framework of economic security.
This matter was published on April 29, 2026.
Okayama University - Iwate University Exchange of Views
Facility Tour at Okayama University of Science
"WAN-WAN System" Smart Speaker Controller Briefing Session
Group Photo of Exchange Participants
◆ References
・Iwate University
https://www.iwate-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization
https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University General Technology Department
https://techall.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University Core Facility Portal Site (CFPOU)
https://corefacility-potal.fsp.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・SX Platform ~From "Ownership" to "Sharing." An advantageous rental/lease platform for research equipment~
https://sxplatform.jp/
◆ Related Information
・[Okayama University] Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet Okayama University Begins Helium Gas Recovery (Phase 1) at Okayama University of Science
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003826.000072793.html
・[Okayama University] Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet-HeliGet Okayama University Participates in Helium Recovery from Used MRI Conducted by Iwate University and Iwate Medical University ~Over 500L of Helium Recovered~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003825.00
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
On February 27, 2026, Mr. Hisashi Chiba, Chief of the First Technical Section, and Ms. Satomi Fujisaki, Chief of the Third Technical Section, from Iwate University's Faculty of Science and Engineering Technical Department, visited Okayama University's Tsushima Campus. They participated in an exchange of views with the Task Force for Promoting the Shared Use and Enhancement of Research Equipment regarding the "Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima Helium Recycling Business Network (HeReNet)."
From Okayama University, Vice Task Force Leader and Head of Institutional Collaboration Division (Chief URA) Koji Hatanaka, General Technology Department Manager Makoto Ishii, Technical Specialist Hisayuki Uragami, Technical Specialist Satoshi Hirota, Technical Staff Haruna Ando, Research Cooperation Division Specialist Hideaki Yamazaki, Administrative Staff Ryota Tomosada, and Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization Coordinator Zihuan Peng participated.
During the exchange, after an explanation of the business content of the Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet project promoted by Okayama University, a Q&A session and discussions were held regarding the expansion of HeReNet to the Northern Tohoku region. In conjunction, participants toured Okayama University's liquefaction equipment and other facilities, as well as Okayama University of Science's helium gas recovery equipment.
Discussions also covered "HeliGet" (recovering liquid helium from used equipment) and "HeliSET" (a helium-related human resource development program aimed at fostering next-generation helium users and stabilizing helium prices). Finally, a briefing session was held for the "WAN-WAN system," a smart speaker controller jointly developed by Iwate University and the Institute for Molecular Science, which can be applied to various detections such as water leaks and vibrations.
This exchange of views with Iwate University was a valuable opportunity to contribute to the nationwide spread of Okayama University's helium recycling project and to discuss future cooperation systems with Iwate University on helium recycling. Mr. Hisashi Chiba, Chief of the First Technical Section at Iwate University, stated, "Okayama University's efforts to promote the helium recycling project are wonderful. I would like to start considering the possibility of implementing helium recycling at Iwate University, utilizing the knowledge and experience gained from this visit."
As an open regional core and distinctive research university, Okayama University aims to greatly expand the scope of research and development using liquid helium by supplying it not only within the university but also to neighboring universities, research institutions, colleges of technology, and companies through "Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet" and "HeliGet." Furthermore, as Japan is 100% dependent on overseas sources for helium, this initiative is extremely important from the perspective of economic security. Okayama University is also developing and implementing "HeliSET," a helium-related human resource development program aimed at fostering next-generation helium users and stabilizing helium prices. The university will continue to promote "HeReNet," "HeliGet," and "HeliSET" collectively as the "He3 Project."
Please look forward to the continued efforts of Okayama University, an open regional core and distinctive research university, and its participating institutions, in their challenge to enhance Japan's research capabilities, foster innovation, and address critical initiatives within the framework of economic security.
This matter was published on April 29, 2026.
Okayama University - Iwate University Exchange of Views
Facility Tour at Okayama University of Science
"WAN-WAN System" Smart Speaker Controller Briefing Session
Group Photo of Exchange Participants
◆ References
・Iwate University
https://www.iwate-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization
https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University General Technology Department
https://techall.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・Okayama University Core Facility Portal Site (CFPOU)
https://corefacility-potal.fsp.okayama-u.ac.jp/
・SX Platform ~From "Ownership" to "Sharing." An advantageous rental/lease platform for research equipment~
https://sxplatform.jp/
◆ Related Information
・[Okayama University] Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet Okayama University Begins Helium Gas Recovery (Phase 1) at Okayama University of Science
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003826.000072793.html
・[Okayama University] Chugoku-Shikoku-Harima HeReNet-HeliGet Okayama University Participates in Helium Recovery from Used MRI Conducted by Iwate University and Iwate Medical University ~Over 500L of Helium Recovered~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003825.00