In the word of mathematics, the symmetric structures on spaces are described by groups.
We call such symmetric space a space with group action.
My research interest lies in geometry and topology of the spaces with torus actions.
In this decades, the area so-called toric topology has been emerged.
Roughly speaking, toric topology can construct bridges among different areas (geometry, algebra and combinatorics) by the study of the spaces with torus actions.
In the near future, I would like to continue to study toric topology more deeply and challenge to solve open problems.

My field of expertise is algebraic geometry. There we consider a set of zero points (algebraic variety) of polynomials. For example, lines, circles, hyperbolas, and parabolas are algebraic varieties. The set of all geometric objects with certain properties is called a moduli space.
Moduli spaces of stable vector bundles on complex algebraic surfaces X are actively investigated as concrete examples of algebraic varieties.

For an algebraic variety M, the Kodaira dimension is determined.
The Kodaira dimension of M is an important invariant related to the curvature of M. Also, there is the minimal model theory to understand higher dimensional varieties. In this theory, one simplifies a variety by exploding and contracting its subspaces to get a simple variety, called minimal model.

I am interested in singularities, the Kodaira dimenson and the minimal model program of moduli space M.
(1) For large classes of surfaces X, I described the minimal model program of M by using words of moduli theory.
(2) I examined singularities of M, and in case where the structure of X is relatively simple, I showed that singularities of M are “good”. As a result, I calculated the Kodaira dimension of M.

Algebraic Geometry is a field in mathematics that studies geometric objects defined by polynomials. Since polynomials are used in the definition, algebraic methods can be used to study the geometry.
The main objects that I am interested in are rlow dimensional objects such as algebraic curves and surfaces. I try to find “invariants” that can be used to distinguish similar curves, thnik of the “exsitence problem” which asks wheter curves satisfying given conditions exist, and once we know the existance, considr the “construction problem” in which the goal is to explicitely write down the equation. Since explicit equations appear, I sometimes use computers in order to execute my calculations.

In our research, we focus on three main themes: the development of a simple and adaptive myriapod robot using passive dynamics, biped locomotion based on passive dynamic walking, and the creation of a unique mobile mechanism known as the flexible mono-tread mobile track (FMT).
Firstly, our primary aim is to design the FMT, which utilizes a mono-track system that can flex in three dimensions. Additionally, we are conducting research on the bio-inspired robots using passive dynamics. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms of living organisms, which lead us to hypothesize that the interaction between the robot and its environment inherently includes a control mechanism, which improves its mobility and stabilizes locomotion.

How the earth and planets are formed ?
I’m trying to answer this question by observing protoplanetary disks, which is the on-going planet forming site around young stars. Current large telescopes such as Subaru telescope allow us to reaveal the detailed signature of the planet formation process in the protoplanetary disks.
In addition, I’m also involved with the new development of the astronomical instrument and methed.

(Left) Artist’s illustration of the protoplanetary disk around HD142527 star
(Right) Detection of olivine and pyroxene crystals around Hen3-600A star

This study aims to cultivate management curriculum abilities though the Social Teacher Lesson．The study consisted of the following three steps.　First I encouraged the student to reflect on their own perceptions on the meanings of learning．Second, their own views of social studies and theories of teaching were relativized by learning about multiple theories of teaching with different goals. Finally I made them understand the importance of engaging in teaching materials study and content construction in accordance with subject objectives, using as material subjects．

My research focuses on teacher education in the subject (Japanese language), with a focus on “Lesson Study.”
Teacher education has two objectives: “to become a teacher” and “to improve own skills as a teacher.
The former is the question of “what kind of process students need to go through in order to become teachers,” and “what kind of knowledge, experience, and support they need in order to do so. With these questions in mind, I am conducting research while practicing daily in the teacher training program at the university.
The latter can be expressed by the question, “How can in-service teachers improve their teaching practice? This question concerns teacher training (class research) conducted as part of school work. We aim to build a training model that encourages both in-service teachers and researchers to think together and cooperatively work toward achieving school goals, valuing the question, “How can we refine our classroom views and teaching based on the facts of children’s learning?

I am interested in English education in general, and I have conducted listening research focusing mainly on rehearsal speed and processing speed. I am examining the authentic use of English in countries and regions around the world, using research on World Englishes.
I am also interested in research on the relationship between speed-reading and listening comprehension with an awareness of English word order.
Currently, I would like to conduct research on the changes in English education in elementary, junior high and senior high schools due to the revision of the Course of Study, and on how to personally and professonally develop future English teachers at universities.

How can teachers motivate learners towards meaningful inquiry and research based learning? Should teachers teach, facilitate, or both? How can interactive, proactive student co-ownership of learning and assessment be realized? These are my primary inquiry questions in the field of teacher education.

My primary inquiry interests in Japan Studies and social studies education are as below: How do local policy and business models come together to bring about regional revitalization? How can we implement case studies in this area in secondary school education, and Japan Studies education?
Analysis of animism in Shinto, Hinduism.and Japanese Buddhism.

I am engaging in research on intercultural contact and acceptance from the perspectives of psychology and pedagogy and English language education. In Japan, the proportion of foreigners in the total population is expected to increase to 10.8% by 2070 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2023), and measures for living with foreigners in the community will be increasingly required in the future. I am promoting research on intercultural psychology and intercultural education practices in order to contribute to the promotion of intercultural understanding education and English language education.

My research centres on the questions of cultural identity and transnationalism in contemporary East Asian cinemas, with a particular focus on the works of Okinawan filmmakers and the cinematic representations of Okinawa since the 1972 reversion. Recently, I have also been examining transnational film adaptations of Haruki Murakami’s works.

　　　Image: Film cameras (The Cinema Museum, London)

As geopolitical risks such as the U.S.-China confrontation have emerged, security restrictions on trade, technology transfer, and foreign investment have increased. Our research project is to empirically clarify the nature of the international economic order in the “Age of Fragmentation”. In this process, we also analyze geopolitical risks in the operations of multinational corporations.
Moreover, as the war in Ukraine has shown, technologies developed by civilian companies are being applied to new military equipment to great effect. As innovation occurs in a variety of locations, governments are seeking to expand the base of companies involved in defense production. We also study the conditions for such policies to be effective in liberal democracies.

Public opinion is key word in mass media.Because this word is often used.But how the public opinion been formed? A gap between politics and public opinion is very important issue.How has mass media reflected the will of the people? The spread of the Internet has changed our lives. We study about new information age.

I am researching standards for exercising state jurisdiction in Internet. I am also researching ways to protect students from natural disasters. In addition, I am conducting a legal analysis of informed consent in veterinary medicine.

The difficult past was a catastrophic event that led to “mass death,” and the damage was felt not only by the dead but also by the survivors. This applies to wars, pollution damage, isolation policies for Hansen’s disease, pollution damage, etc. Furthermore, because such damage involves a complex relationship between perpetrators and victims, the “interpretation = meaning” of the event is likely to be divided depending on one’s position, making it difficult to pass on experiences. Based on the concepts of collaboration and ESD, I create spaces for dialogue, practice public history, and deepen my research on the inheritance of difficult past experiences.

In the future society, collaboration between leaders and followers is important.
Therefore, it is important that leaders also learn about followers and learn about followership.
The human resources that companies look for in new hires will include an element of followership.
Mastery of leadership requires that you make your own changes in your own behavior.
It is necessary to look back at one’s own behavior, notice unconscious comments and actions, and change oneself.
We are currently conducting research on building relationships with others, developing oneself, and becoming self-reliant through leadership education.

I have wide experience in teaching English in several types of schools such as junior high and high schools, including a correspondence course high school, and a university. So, in the field of English Language Education, I am interested in how to improve English language skills of EFL learners at each stage of language learning and lead them to be self-disciplined learners from the viewpoint of SLA.
In one case, learners at the higher education, e.g. university students, are required to read several literatures in order to gather information or knowledge on their interest. Some literatures may be written in Japanese, but in most cases, they are written in other languages, including English. I am investigating some possible aspects related to their effective reading, such as formal instruction, vocabulary building, background knowledge etc., and would like to identify aspects effective to reading for information gathering. These aspects may vary according to learner characteristics. In another case, I am performing studies of effective use of media such as music and movie in the language classroom.
Moreover, I would like to investigate the potentiality of BASIC English, which was “discovered” by Charles Kay Ogden, and develop educational materials for EFL/ESL Learners based on Ogden’s idea shown in BASIC English. BASIC English is a simplified and organized English brought up by Charles Kay Ogden as an international auxiliary language, and as an aid for teaching English as a second language. I think his idea is still very significant even today.

I am currently conducting research on the effects of the International Baccalaureate (IB) education that is spreading in Japan.
1. I am conducting research on the effects and challenges of the IB in the context of the increasing number of high schools where students are learning mathematics in English.
2. I am conducting research on the effects and challenges of ICT utilization, which is emphasized in the IB.
3. I am conducting research on how high school teachers will change as a result of the implementation of the IB.
We are interested in how to apply the suggestions obtained from the implementation of the IB to schools in general.

In these days of drastic social change, it is difficult to predict how the future will unfold. Crime is also facing an endless number of unique crimes of lone offenders, as seen in the murder of former Prime Minister Abe, the extended suicide case in Kyoto Animation, and the murders that occur in closed rooms on trains. Such crimes cause anxiety among the public and have a significant impact on safety and security, which is the foundation of society. Given the limitations of the limited human resources of the police, we are researching efficient police activities and new investigation methods utilizing ICT, as well as crime prediction through crime occurrence analysis.
In addition, in order to protect the lives of citizens who are extremely difficult to rescue by self-help and mutual aid in the event of a disaster such as a torrential downpour or a massive earthquake caused by global climate change, we are conducting research on how local governments, self-defense forces, fire departments, and police can act to protect citizens by utilizing ICT technology to gather information on their daily living conditions. We are also conducting research on how local governments, the Self-Defense Forces, fire departments, and police can act to protect the public.

Footprints are important clue for understanding dinosaur social life and their kinematics. I investigate footprints of the Lower to Upper Jurassic of Morocco, and Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia.
In 2013, Okayama University of Science and Mongolian Academy of Science on paleontological research and　education. We execute joint expedition and multidisciplinary study on dinosaur and dinosaur bearing beds in the Gobi Desert.
I also study local fossils of Okayama, and visitor behavior in　paleontological exhibit of the museum.
Phogtograph: Parallel trackways of middle-sized Carnivorous dinosaur in the Gobi Desert. These trackways indicate the gregarious behavior of dinosaur.