Institute of Humanities, Human & Social Sciences (est. 1948) Founded in 1948, the Institute of Humanities, Human and Social Sciences is involved in research activities covering the full range of humanities and social sciences. It also plays a major role in promoting interdisciplinary joint studies. By making optimal use of the university's comprehensive research strengths, the institute is able to conduct research into contemporary and global themes such as "Re-thinking Japanese Society" and "Exploring 'Publicness' in the Humanities and Social Sciences." Research is carried out from multiple viewpoints and is based on progressive concepts. Results are presented through a range of methods. The institute is also active in joint study programs that examine social problems affecting groups ranging from regional communities to the entire globe. Center for Finance, Law and Taxation This center aims to do research which bridges theory and practice, while keeping in mind the connections between research on finance, law and taxation, which are growingly increasingly complicated as legal issues in modern society. To this end, the center carries out collaborative research -- with practitioners in addition to researchers -- and pioneering research on emerging legal issues. At the same time, the center also looks to engage in practical social activities making use of research results. The Shirakawa Shizuka Institute of East Asian Characters & Culture (est. 2005) This research institute was established to spread knowledge of Chinese characters and East Asian culture throughout society and to advance research in the same field. Work at the institute will facilitate a wide-spread understanding of Chinese characters, expand research throughout countries and regions using Chinese characters, and foster peace and solidarity in East Asia. Research Center for Intercultural Phenomenology Phenomenology research centers have been established all over the world as a result of the global expansion of the 20th century phenomenology movement, which includes elements of philosophy, social studies and psychiatry. Meanwhile, Japan, which can boast of numerous research achievements, has lagged behind world research trends with its lack of a phenomenological-centered research institution. RU has established the first phenomenological research center in Japan, a unique research center that aims to respond to world research trends and break new ground in international phenomenology research through global collaboration. Institute of International Relations & Area Studies (est. 1988) The Institute of International Relations and Area Studies was established in 1988 to coincide with the founding of the College of International Relations at Ritsumeikan University. The institute is committed to advancing international research and international area studies, and has formulated joint research projects and seminars in cooperation with overseas researchers. At the same time, it has continued to expand its collection of books, magazines and other informational materials for international peace and Asian area studies as well as the leading newspapers from the Asia-Pacific region. The institute also supports joint study programs organized by Ritsumeikan professors, while hosting international academic conferences attended by leading researchers from around the world. Another important task of the institute is building an international research network that provides a global link for researchers and research institutes. Center for Korean Studies (est. 2005) Centered around College of Law professors, since 1998 RU has received scientific research grants to pursue socio-legal research on the democratization and legal and political structure of modern Korea, and large-scale, collaborative research with Korean researchers, while setting up meetings of experts on North East Asia and carrying out research on modern Korea within the context of the North East Asia region. Consequently, in awareness of the importance and urgency of research on modern Korea, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan-Korea relations, the Center for Korean Studies was established in June of 2005 as a communally open center promoting understanding of the Korean Peninsula, integrated research on modern Korea, and educational exchange on Korean inter-relations. Institute of International Language & Culture Studies (est. 1989) This institute was established in 1989 for the study of language and culture as they pertain to international exchange and interdisciplinary studies, thus increasing the understanding of different cultures. Activities are mainly divided into two categories: organizing joint research programs; and hosting seminars, symposia and lecture series open to both students and the general public. Comprehensive joint research activities have been undertaken regarding critical reevaluations of topics including world system theories, gender, changing national identities and multi-culturalism. The institute oversees joint study meetings on many diverse subjects including world literature, the arts, culture and philosophy. Research findings are published in journals and books. Institute of Human Sciences (est. 2000) Originally known as the Institute of Educational Sciences, the Institute of Human Sciences was renamed in April 2000 as it shifted its research focus from primarily education to the wider, interdisciplinary fields of human science including psychology, education and human welfare. Presently the institute conducts project research and programs with the participation of university professors and staff, graduate students, and junior and senior high school teachers. Research Center for Ars Vivendi (est. 2007) Upon acceptance of the Center of Ars Vivendi: Forms of Human Life and Survival into the 2007 Ministry of Education Global COE Program, the Research Center for Ars Vivendi was established in November of 2007 at Kinugasa Campus as an education and research organization promoting global development. With crossover collaboration between the Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences and the Institute of Human Sciences, the center serves as a base for new education and research. Art Research Center (est. 1998) In order to pass on the world's culture to future generations, this center researches and analyzes -- from a historical and social point of view -- fine arts, performing arts, skills and mechanics, and focuses on recording, arranging, preserving and promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In addition to employing the latest comprehensive research in the social sciences and human sciences and using the latest digital technology, the center aims to develop systems to preserve performing arts, and promote art appreciation among the Japanese citizenry. From its very inception, the center was designated as a frontier for Promotion of Arts in Private Universities in Japan, and in 2001 the center was designated as an open research center for private universities. Regional Information Research Center (est. 1999) This center acts in a liaison-research type role in the following areas: (1) support of research projects between government, academia and industry with "regional" as a keyword for research; (2) developing new methods of research and development in research spheres beyond traditional fields of study; (3) developing and maintaining data archives for the benefit of research on regional society; and (4) organizing the operation of computer networks in regional areas. Specific areas of research include regional public information, and regional business and development of environments centered around three consortiums, and the center is able to carry out its role based on the projects of individual researchers. Center for Northeast Asian Studies (est. 2005) The North East Asia region is becoming increasingly important to the development of 21st century Japan and global economic society. Since its establishment in July of 2005, the Center for Northeast Asian Studies has been pursuing research activities towards the development of regional economic cooperation in North East Asia through “Local to Local” international industry - academia - government collaboration between universities, businesses, and municipal and regional governments in Japan ( Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture), China ( Dalian), Korea (Busan) and Russia ( Vladivostok). Institute of Social Systems (est. 1998) This institute promotes basic and applied research on a broad range of social systems such as politics, economics and society. The institute tries to predict certain social phenomena that may take place in ten to twenty years and carries out the necessary research in cooperation with the School of Science & Engineering in order to prepare for these possibilities. Research Center for Innovation Management (est. 1998) Focusing on the theme of management in the 21st century, this research center examines various new strategies for today's business adminstrators. Topics include contributing to regional economies, bolstering venture business, considering the environment, design management, and service management. Research Center for Finance (est. 1998) This center conducts research into many aspects of finance systems and international finance, maintaining cooperative research and development relationships with a number of financial institutions and industry leaders.  In April of 1999 the center opened its new Dealing Room, the result of its famous Cyber-dealing Project. Research Center for Medical and Healthcare Management For modern medical institutions, the importance of medical and healthcare management has come to the fore in the restructuring of medical institutions, which involve stakeholders including patients, government institutions and the medical supplies industry. This reconstruction is being undertaken amidst questions from society on the economic rationality of medical institutions as corporations, the dignity of patients as individuals, and the increasingly public nature of such institutions. In addition, as the domain of management expands from medical to healthcare as a whole, including management by medical corporations and the parallel use of nursing facilities through the expansion of out-of-hospital prescriptions and the like, there are high expectations for the establishment of the collaborative research field of business administration and life science/medicine which can deal with new administrative issues such as the development of the life sciences/medicine field, including regenerative medicine.   The Institute of Science & Engineering (est. 1955) This institute is involved in the promotion of research in science and technology, including project-based and collaborative research. The results of such research have met with high acclaim and have been widely disseminated through methods including the "Memoirs of the Research Institute of Science & Engineering (Ritsumeikan University)," public lectures and symposia. Research Centers (est. 1994) Ritsumeikan University's Research Organization of Science & Engineering includes a cluster of advanced research centers which help to promote research exchange with industrial and government sectors. The research centers are working on many topics related to challenges currently being faced by corporations and government agencies. A large number of graduate students are involved in these research activities, which provide them with invaluable opportunities to come into contact with cutting-edge scientific technology and enhance their research capabilities. Research Insitute for Micro System Technology Center for Sports and Healthcare Technology Advanced Robotics Research Center Research Center of Advanced Materials Technology Research Center for Glycobiotechnology Research Center for Super Human Intelligent Systems Research Institute for Innovation Technology Management Eco-Technology Research Center Frontier Research Center for Natural Disaster Mitigation SR Center (est. 1996) At this facility, advanced research on synchrotron radiation is conducted using a superconducting synchrotron radiation source. These advanced research activities have attracted the enthusiastic attention of the industrial world. Also, the center places significant emphasis on collaboration between industry, government, and academia. The facility is open to researchers from private companies or government agencies, and is thus a venue for active scholarly exchange. VLSI Center (est. 2000) The recent technological revolution sparked by the semiconductor industry, one of Japan's key industries, has been truly remarkable. This situation has triggered an urgent need for engineers trained in the new technological field of very large scale integration (VLSI), which will underpin and propel the future of Japan. By serving as an environment for the design of up-to-date VLSI, the VLSI Center is undertaking exchange projects involving society and the university, as well as education and research that contributes to the community. Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage In Kyoto, a historical city with a wealth of cultural heritage, this center pursues theoretical and technical research to protect cultural heritage from disaster and preserve it for future generations. Research Center for Sustainability Science (est. 2007) The Research Center for Sustainability Science (RCS) was established in January of 2007 in recognition that the promotion of education and research on sustainability science is a crucial mission which has been assigned to 21st century universities. The RCS promotes research that utilizes its diverse human resources and comprehensive network in aiming for strategic innovation towards harmonious society construction. High-tech Research Center (est. 1996) During the 1996 school year, MEXT selected 22 research facilities at private universities as "Private University High Technology Research Centers," and provided funding to enable research activities in a wide range of advanced fields. The HTRC at Ritsumeikan University is one of those facilities. It has a total floor space of 3104m2 and at present houses four research projects involving 75 Science & Engineering faculty members. It is hoped that this work will lead to the creation of valuable new technologies. Rohm Plaza (est. 2000) This facility, constructed with support from Rohm Corporation, has been established with the aim of developing the new technology that supports and drives Japan's future semiconductor industry while contributing to the sophistication of very large scale integration (VLSI). At the same time, this facility -- which offers up-to-date research euipment and facilities in a total area of 6583 square meters -- has been selected by the Ministry of Education as a Private University High-tech Research Center. Academic Frontier Joint Research Center (est. 1998) In 1998 MEXT established the "Academic Frontier Promotion Project" to provide assistance to core research facilities at private universities. Ritsumeikan University's nano-technology research project under the Graduate School of Science & Engineering was selected as one of the research activities to receive support. This funding helped to establish a new research facility with a total floorspace of 2993m2, where various joint research projects are carried out. Joint Laboratory of Industries and Universities (est. 1996) This is a facility where Ritsumeikan University and corporations work together to initiate new projects. It is the first industry-university cooperative facility in Japan to receive certification (under the Private Sector Vitalization Law) from METI. The aim of this facility is to encourage the vitality of regional industry by achieving a fusion between social needs and the intellectual resources of the university as well as supporting R&D in private companies, and contributing to their growth.