Prof. Toshio Yamagata, Dean of School of Science

As a successor to Prof. Masayuki Yamamoto, I will act as Dean of the School of Science (the Graduate School of Science and the Faculty of Science) for two years from April 2009. It is really more honor than I deserve that I have this opportunity to be involved in the operation of the School that has a long history since its establishment in 1877. With the cornerstone of glorious history established by the School seniors, I would like to do my very best to make further development. Let me also take this opportunity to ask for the School members’ cooperation.

During the evolution of the Universe that started from the Big Bang 14 billion years ago, co-evolution of environment and life started on the Earth, an aqua-planet in the solar system, around 4 billion years ago. Early humans that appeared 6 ~ 7 million years ago during the evolution of life began to perceive the Environment and became capable of working on the Environment using fire and tools. Modern humans that appeared in Africa about one hundred thousand years ago adapted to the Environment and utilized it. Seeking more secure life, they established a world of logic, created history based on clear understanding of the stream of time, and gradually created complicated devices and equipments, through which they have established current modern society. Intellectual curiosity of human beings has clarified the structure of Nature that shows the rich hierarchical structure ranging from an ultramicroscopic world to the Universe.

We are a group of people who share the same goal of “understanding the structure and reason of Nature”, which is the most fundamental activity of intellect of mankind, for succession and creation of knowledge. However, there are a lot of people in the world who are facing so many difficulties that it is hard enough for them to live out their lives. In such a situation, how privileged we are to be able to be engaged daily in the fundamental activity that has prompted human evolution! I believe that one of our important roles is to deliver the joy and thrill associated with succession and creation of knowledge to society so that we may enlighten each other.

Many of the School members are engaged in science by profession in one way or another and if not now, they will be in the future. To prevent the activity of “understanding the structure and reason of Nature” based on curiosity from falling into self-satisfaction, we should keep polishing our art for creation of knowledge. In order to create knowledge, it is absolutely necessary to strengthen logical thinking ability that can be achieved only through proper usage of language and solid knowledge; it is apparent that a house built with rotten lumber will collapse easily. In line with this, I think we should make more opportunities to develop solid art of science. Furthermore, created knowledge must be transmitted at least to the people in the same field so that its originality can be verified by a third-party. And if it is something that opens up a new door of knowledge, it will develop much further in the world. New knowledge is basically something innovative, which means that it cannot be accepted by the community easily; this is the reason each scientist must have a strong mind to prove his/her originality. I would say that we need the spirit of Galileo Galilei and Mencius; Galilei said, “And yet, it moves” and Mencius said, “Let your conscience be your guide even if there are 10 million enemies in front of you.” Now is the time we are asked to produce more human resources that can interact freely with global fellows, develop through friendly competition, and firmly provide their originality world-wide.

Together with the School members who share the same goal of “understanding the structure and reason of Nature” for succession and creation of solid knowledge, I will try to provide more opportunities of active exchanges across laboratories, departments, schools, universities, and even national borders.

Toshio Yamagata