Core Program

This research investigates the background of ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues) and RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation)—fields that have gained significant attention and are now being implemented in Japan—to explore the transformation and future of academia.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, academia has shifted from a traditional focus on the "pursuit of truth" toward a greater emphasis on "solving social challenges" and "contributing to innovation." ELSI and RRI are positioned within this trend. The increasing demand for scientific advice on social and policy issues, along with the expansion of public investment based on performance-oriented thinking, reflects a growing interest in the "utility" of scholarship. We will examine the background of these transitions, considering the balance with the traditional pursuit of truth and the future of academia.

We will begin by historically examining the factors that led to this heightened interest in the "utility" of scholarship. Simultaneously, we will clarify the changing nature of social challenges, often characterized by terms such as VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity), "Complex and Difficult Cases," "Systemic Risk," and "Wicked Problems." On the other hand, we will examine the significance of new scholarship, including the academic characteristics of "emergent technologies" that have appeared since the late 20th century and the nature of "data-driven science," often called the fourth paradigm of science.

By providing a bird's-eye view of the transformation of social challenges, changes in the objectives of scholarship, and the emergence of new academic fields, we aim to create a comprehensive map of knowledge—a modern "Encyclopédie."
This research will be conducted by multiple research groups composed of external experts, with coordination led by the Vice Director. The candidate research groups are as follows:

1) New Developments in "Science for Safety" (Provisional Title) (Prof. Shin-etsu Sugawara Project)
Previously, at the International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS), a comprehensive and interdisciplinary project aimed at establishing "Science for Safety" was conducted under the leadership of Yoichiro Murakami. This research addressed safety issues across "Life and Medicine," "Urban Environments," and "International Politics," seeking to build the foundation of "Science for Safety" from a meta-perspective.
Since the IIAS's initial involvement, the world has experienced various accidents and natural disasters, leading to global advancements in risk theory, safety studies, and the philosophy of technology. Building on this accumulation of knowledge, this project seeks to develop a contemporary evolution of "Science for Safety." We will explore how to ensure safety in cases where direct experimentation or observation is difficult, and address the challenge of social decision-making based on scientific knowledge in such contexts (the formation of socio-technical confidence).


2) The Use and Misuse of the "Past" (Provisional Title) (Prof. Nobuya Hashimoto Project)
The "Past" is not merely a collection of facts; it also functions as a "narrative" edited or created for identity formation. When these narratives are politically controlled or exploited, they can lead to hostility and conflict between groups ("wars of memory"). By integrating insights from history, psychology, and other fields, this research aims to elucidate the mechanisms behind why the past is "misused" and becomes a spark for conflict.