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Video series “Ask the Future”
We ask Moonshot researchers about their unique visions of the future and the steps they are taking each day to make that future closer to reality.
![[Goal 2] Understanding Biological Networks to Overcome Intractable Cancer / TAKAHASHI Akiko](img/takahashi.jpg)
We interviewed Takahashi Akiko, who is committed to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence and cancer in order to achieve ultra-early disease prediction and intervention.
![[Goal 8] Typhoon Control Research Aiming for a Safe and Prosperous Society / FUDEYASU Hironori](img/fudeyasu.jpg)
Project Manager Fudeyasu Hironori’s project aims to construct weather control theory and research weather control technology from four research and development agendas: meteorological approach, engineering approach, impact assessment, and ELSI.
![[Goal 9] A comparative utility expression of primate nervous systems / YAMADA Hiroshi](img/yamada_h.jpg)
Professor Yamada is a project promoter who considers the mind to be the activity of brain neurons and is researching the brain mechanism that produces joy and happiness from a neuroeconomic perspective.
![[Goal 1] Liberation from Limitations via Physical, Cognitive, Perceptual Augmentation / KOMATSU Misako](img/komatsu.jpg)
We talked to Professor Komatsu Misako, who uses animal models to measure, collect, and analyze neural data with the aim of achieving practical use of BMI, about Core Technology.
![[Goal 6] Scalable and Robust Integrated Quantum Communication System / NAGAYAMA Shota](img/nagayama.jpg)
“Scalable and Robust Integrated Quantum Communication System” project manager Nagayama Shota talks about communication networks that connect various kinds of hardware.
![[Goal 1] Future Lifestyle Beyond the Impossible / YOSHIFUJI Kentaro](img/yoshifuji.jpg)
[Goal 1] "Future Lifestyle Beyond the Impossible" YOSHIFUJI Kentaro (English subtitles available)
We interviewed Yoshifuji Kentraro, a pioneer grappling with this issue, who has been working on the Minamizawa project "Cybernetic Avatar Technology and Social System Design for Harmonious Co-experience and Collective Ability" as a project performer, about the implementation of cybernetic avatar technology in society.
![[Goal 3] Aim to realize partner AI that mutually enhances humans and each other / BABA Yukino](img/baba.jpg)
We interviewed Dr. Baba Yukino of the University of Tokyo, who has been working on "Knowledge Inquiry by Interaction AI with Researchers" as the project performer, about the current AI issues and challenges, her vision for AI in 2050, and her vision for the future society.
![[Goal 2] Changing society through the fusion of mathematics and medicine / KAWAKAMI Eiryo](img/kawakami.jpg)
We interviewed Dr. Kawakami Eiryo of Chiba University and RIKEN, who is engaged in challenging research as the project performer by integrating mathematics and medicine, about his vision for predicting diseases, his approach, and the preventive society he is aiming for in 2050 in today's aging society.
Dialogue series “× -KAKERU-”
Moonshot researchers and experts from a variety of fields discuss the exciting possibilities emerging from Moonshot projects and how the research outcomes may impact future society.
PM Tsutsui, who is developing a support device to realize nonverbal communication, and PM Yanagisawa, a leading sleep researcher, talked about how they tackle themes related to the brain and nerves from each point of view.
Dr. Saito Shigeru, President of the University of Toyama, discussed his research on pre-disease with Machii Eri, Representative Director of the NPO AfriMedico, and its potential impacts on medical treatment and society.
Quantum-computing hardware development: From dream to reality—AOKI TAKAO×FURUTA AYA
What is the goal of establishing a startup for quantum computer hardware, which is rare in Japan? Project Manager Aoki Takao is joined by Furuta Aya, who is familiar with quantum computers and will dig deep.
Nanofiber cavity QED: A highlyoriginal idea comes closer to fruition—AOKI TAKAO×FURUTA AYA
Professor Aoki Takao aims to develop large-scale quantum hardware using nanofiber cavity QED. He discussed his unique and original ideas for quantum computer development with Furuta Aya, a reporter and editor for Nikkei Science.
What do you think about a future where we live together with weather control? PM Yamaguchi is leading a project to control heavy rain, working with Dr. Nishijima. Kuro Rabu visits the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel and asks for ways to verify these control techniques.
PM Yamaguchi and Dr. Nishijima are developing weather control technologies to weaken the intensity of heavy rain. These technologies expect to reduce harm but raise difficult questions about whether it is acceptable for humans to change the weather. Kuro Rabu talks to them about this project.
A special talk between Yamada Makiko, Project Manager of Goal 9 and Izumo Mitsuru Izumo, President of Euglena Co., Ltd., is available. They discuss the nature of the “Maemuki” mind that future generations will need and how this will change Japan.
Ikegami Akira, a journalist with a strong interest in science and technology, who is well known for explaining current affairs in an accessible way from a unique perspective, probes the topic with PM Harada.
We sat down to talk with Professor and Moonshot Project Manager Yasuhisa Hirata, and Yoichi Ochiai, a Moonshot ambassador who established xDiversity, a general incorporated association to research usability for a diverse spectrum of people, including elderly and disabled individuals.
In this article, we had Yohei Sawada, a project manager (PM) involved in one of the selected research projects, sit down with Rui Izumiyama, who specializes in urban planning and design, to discuss how weather control could one day become a reliable part of a city’s infrastructure.
In this second part, they share their unique perspectives on the role BMI-CA can play in connecting diverse "environmental worlds" (or "Umwelt") of people and the potential for changing a media-centered society itself, including AI collaboration.
As a milestone towards the ultimate BMI-CA that can be operated in accordance with human intentions by 2050, we had Kanai sit down with Wired Japan's editor-in-chief, Michiaki Matsushima to discuss the potential for BMI-CA to become a media service that surpasses the limits of the modern day internet.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has two research projects that have been adopted under this system. For this article, we sat down with Hiroki Takahashi, the project manager (PM) of one of the university’s projects, and Katsuhiko Miyazaki, the PM of the other.
Publications
Moonshot R&D Program Overview (2024.Jun)
Introducing the 10 goals and each project of the Moonshot Research & Development Program
“Science Beyond Limits”
Here we invite Moonshot researchers to describe their ambitious research goals and how they are attempting to overcome scientific and technological limits.
You can listen to the episodes from the service below.
Science Beyond Limits Ep3: Weather prediction and control
Dr. Le Duc talks about his work at the University of Tokyo where through data assimilation and high powered modelling he and his team are attempting to make the dream of weather control a reality.
Science Beyond Limits Ep2: Tech for empathy and accessibility
Dr. Yun Suen Pai and Dr. Giulia Barbareschi, researchers in Project Cybernetic Being at the Keio School of Media Design in Japan, talk about technology they are working on to enhance empathy and accessibility in our societies.
Science Beyond Limits Ep1: Can technology make us happy?
Seiji is Program Director for Goal 9 of the Moonshot R&D Program, implemented by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Please contact us to learn more about research cooperation opportunities.
External Website
Science Japan
This is a long interview with a researcher involved in Moonshot R&D Program.
The interview covers how they became researchers, their aspirations, and their current efforts in Moonshot R&D Programs, and how they see and perceive things in a way that only researchers can.
Original article provided by esse-sense and translated by Science Japan.
The day when diabetes can be completely cured by a mechanism within ourselves will surely come
Long interview with KATAGIRI Hideki PM of Goal 2, whose research theme is "Challenge for Eradication of Diabetes and Comorbidities through Understanding and Manipulating Homeostatic Systems".
Seeking a Path towards Realizing a Million-Qubit Quantum Computer
Long interview with YAMAMOTO Tsuyoshi PM of Goal 6, whose research theme is "Development of Integration Technologies for Superconducting Quantum Circuits".
Overconfident people quit more often due to an undeveloped frontal pole in the brain
Long interview with HOSODA Chihiro PM of Goal 9, whose research theme is "Child Care Commons：Building the System Requirements of Alternative Relatives for Our Parenting".
Unraveling the human mind using a mouse model of autism
Long interview with TAKUMI Toru PM of Goal 9, whose research theme is "Development of a Neuroscientific Basis for Visualization and Manipulation of the Mind".