On December 1, 2025, a site visit was conducted at the Integrated Research Center of Kobe University by the accompanying team of the "Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS)".  The team includes our university's supporter, Dr. Shigeaki Zaima (Professor, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Meijo University), along with 32 participants comprising the university liaison officers, officials from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (hereinafter referred to as J-PEAKS officials).

The purpose of this visit was to review the progress of the project and identify issues through discussions between executives from selected universities and the J-PEAKS officials, as well as through tours of research facility that serves as the core of the J-PEAKS initiative.

The visit began with an overview of Kobe University’s J-PEAKS activities presented by President Fujisawa, followed by a briefing from Dr. Seiichi Miyazaki (Executive Vice President, Hiroshima University) on Hiroshima University’s efforts as a partner institution.

President Fujisawa of Kobe University presenting the project progress
Executive Vice President Miyazaki of Hiroshima University sharing partner initiatives

This was followed by a lively exchange of views among representatives from Kobe University, Hiroshima University, and J-PEAKS officials on topics such as the organizational structure of the J-PEAKS project, strategies for strengthening research performance, and approaches to enhancing external collaboration.

Dr. Zaimai from Meijo University, the supporter , asking a question
Exchange of opinions

Then the visit concluded with a tour of the Engineering Biology Research Building of the Integrated Research Center. This facility was constructed with support from MEXT’s Facility Development Project for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and Joint Research through Japan’s Peak Research Universities. The building is part of the Digital Bio Life Science Research Park (DBLR), established by the Kobe university in 2022, and serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in engineering biology, forming the core of the Global Bio-cluster in Kobe City.

facility tour
Group photo of participants

Kobe University will incorporate the insights gained from this site visit into future initiatives.

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（Department for Research Management and External Cooperation）