Brain, Mind and Kansei Science
Research Themes
- With brain science at the center, an interdisciplinary quest for “brain, mind and perception” covering the fields of medical science, engineering, information science, humanities and social science, brain-function measurements and control science.
- Brain science research that measures perception from negative to positive.
Research Contents
Research Background
In today’s society, people have comparatively more economic wealth and live a life surrounded with many more things than in the past, but it is not necessarily true that they are happier. Depression among the working population has resulted in a troubling increase of suicides, people leaving their jobs, and shut-ins. The unprecedented circumstances of the current COVID-19 crisis has raised chronic stress. Early detection of depression and the establishment of preventable measures have become global societal challenges.
Also, in the manufacturing world, manufacturing technology has been progressing along the axes of economy and efficiency, but to develop things and services that the modern person will use, it’s necessary to focus on the inner changes such as the improved satisfaction and spiritual value felt by the user.
Research Contents
At Hiroshima University, we believe in the importance of science to explain the mechanisms by which emotions are generated to cope with today’s diverse array of social issues. That is why we established th e Brain, mind and kansei Science Research Center (hereafter referred to as “BMK Center”*) in October 2018, headed by Professor Yasumasa Okamoto. The BMK Center is the world’s only research hub for studying the brain’s positive and negative perceptions.(http://bmk.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/)
The BMK Center’s mission is to research the brain, mind and perception — the essence of human existence — and establish perception science as an independent academic discipline that integrates medical science, engineering, information science, humanities and social sciences, brain function measurement, and control sciences, with brain science at its center. The new graduate program will help nurture and educate tomorrow’s specialists.
The BMK Center receives financial support from the following public organizations:
- – The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Sciences and Technology (MEXT), Radical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program
“Perceptual Innovation Hub for Spiritual Growth” http://coikansei.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/
- – Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences
“Depression Research Center” https://www.amed.go.jp/program/list/15/01/002.html
The Image of Social Implementation and Corporate Tie-ups
Negative kansei
In the field of negative perceptions, with Specially Appointed Professor Shigeto Yamawaki, the chief of the International Affectome (emotion) Research Center, at the center, researches are conducted with the aim of social implementation in the healthcare realm.
(1) Preventing depression (strategies to combat stress)
(2) Preventing bullying, combatting game and gambling addiction
(3) Evacuation measures in an emergency, and mental healthcare
- ● Latest Research Results
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- – In a research using patients who didn’t respond to antidepressants, we were the very first to report that neurofeedback treatment, in which the patients themselves control brain activity in their left frontal lobe, helped reduce symptoms of depression.
- – We are currently doing clinical research on the efficacy of neurofeedback treatment on depression through more strict randomized controlled trials (RCT) on a larger number of cases. Our goal is to receive approval for medical insurance coverage and realize wide clinical application. Neurofeedback is a revolutionary innovation, based on the latest science on brain studies. The results of this research are highly anticipated as paving the way to an alternative to treating depression with drugs.
- – Announcement: https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/news/57644
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Positive kansei
In the field of positive perceptions, our goal is industrial application by bringing perceptual value to the products and services areas. Takafumi Sasaoka, associate professor of Hiroshima University BMK Center and COI research leader, and his team of researchers are partnering with corporations and developing applications and services detailed below to promote; 1) new product and service development, 2) productivity improvement, and 3) educational and other usage.
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- ● Real time perception-estimation technology
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- ▻ Tools to make quantitative estimations of perception based on brain science
- ▻ Wearable, non-contact, and unrestrained simple devices or tools that can measure perception in a variety of environments
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- ● Products and services that can control feedback based on individual perception information received from the user
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- ▻ By including analysis technology for perception information in the products and services, advances in customization based on an individual user’s characteristics, allowing for growth of technology and systems that are individualized.
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- ● Real time perception-estimation technology
Social Implementation
This research implements objective evaluations based on brain science in various sectors including mental health, business, and education, providing the possibility to create new business that goes beyond the usual constraints. Visiting Professor Hidetoshi Yoshida (COI project leader), who has achieved business management results in the real world, is the central contact for businesses in this research, forming a system that will bring about the commercialization and social implementation of the results of this research with breakthrough products and services.
For those interested in the research described above, please contact us from the link below.