Prof. Yasuda published a book "Changing Japanese Innovation System", co-authored with Prof. Jun SUZUKI at GRIPS and Prof. Emerit GOTO at Tokyo University. The book discusses the issues of both private and public sectors in Japanese innovation system and the measures that help revive Japanese economy.

Prof. Hijikata published a book "Social Media Theory: Society and Psychology unraveled by Behavioral Data". The book discusses the contribution of behavioral data generated in web and social media activities to social and psychological analysis and new business creation.

Prof. Tamada published a book "Innovator's Dilemma in Japan", (2nd ed.). The book includes design thinking and ambidextrous organizations as well as new innovation cases.

Prof. Tamada contributes a commentary on business strategy to Nikkei Shimbun. He discusses the strategy necessary for large corporations to sustain innovation in their business.

Prof. Kato contributes a series of commentary on start-ups to Nikkei Shimbun for Apr. 17-30. He argues the role of start-ups in economy and policy direction and socio-economic ecosystem necessary to promote them.

IRC will offer a lecture about innovation for spring semester. It is an omnibus lecture by IRC member and emphasizes the theoretical aspects of innovation from economics and management perspectives. The class starts on Apr. 21st and is offered online (Zoom) due to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency.

Course title:
    Special Topics in Economics E (School of Economics)
    Innovation and Knowledge Economy (School of Business Administration)
Date and Time: Tuesday, 1:30-3pm
Zoom URL: The access URL will be announced through LUNA, Kwansei Gakuin University LMS.
Textbook: Doi and Miyata eds. (2015). Introduction to Innovation Theories, Chuokeiza-sha, Inc.
Contact: Prof. Yasuda.

National Diet Library, Japan just published a report "Science, Technology and Innovation Policy beyond 2020" online. The report is the outcome of yearlong efforts by IRC members. Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of Japan will have been driven under the Science and Technology Basic plan for 25 years next year. The blueprint for the next basic plan (6th, 2021-25) has been developed by the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, relevant ministries and industries. The report is expected to contribute the arguments towards policy formulation.

The Innovation Research Center is transformed into the Innovation System Research Center (IRC) today.

On June 19th, 2019, IRC hosted a joint conference with the support from the Consulate-general of the Netherlands in Osaka, Faculty of International Studies, and Faculty of Economics of our university. We invited the mayor of Rotterdam, Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb, as the keynote speaker.  
　Mayor Aboutaleb' s speech was "Rotterdam: Diverse, Entrepreneurial City for the Next Generation Economy." At the end of the conference, the Mayor invited our students to visit Rotterdam.
　Two students, Ms. Azuma and Mr. Yasuda, among dozens of students, were selected to visit the Rotterdam between February 15th and 24th. They visited the mayor and accompanied him to the Deltares Institute, a water research laboratory. They also visited many places, including state-of-the-art clean-energy port facilities, the Embassy of Japan, and the International Court of Justice. Their remarkable experience was enhanced by the opportunity to meet passionate peoples with multi-cultural backgrounds such as a female entrepreneur producing and selling traditional Japanese foods in the EU market.

    IRC will offer a lecture about innovation for spring semester. It is an omnibus lecture by IRC member and emphasizes the theoretical aspects of innovation from economics and management perspectives.The class starts on Apr. 10th.

Course title:
    Special Topics in Economics E (School of Economics)
    Innovation and Knowledge Economy (School of Business Administration)
Date and Time: Tuesday, 1:30-3pm
Classroom: Uegahara Campus, B-302.
                  (Access: https://www.kwansei.ac.jp/pr/pr_000374.html)
                  (Campus map: https://www.kwansei.ac.jp/pr/pr_001086.html)
Textbook: Doi and Miyata eds. (2015). Introduction to Innovation Theories, Chuokeiza-sha, Inc.
Contact: Prof. Yasuda.