MATSUBARA, Katsushi (Science,Technology,and Society Group Leader)

Professor, Faculty of International Studies, Tokiwa University

His specialty is social engineering. He used to specialize in geosciences, but his doubts about activities conducted in the research of natural science have made him a kind of “refugee.” Currently, he often fantasizes about setting the world right through his work in the field of science and technology studies.
by　Nakamura．

ONAI，Takayuki

Assistant professor,
Department of Law and Government, Ryutsu-Keizai University
Specialty: political science (theory of democracy, theory of environmental politics and life politics)

KAWASE, Takayuki

Assistant Professor
Chiba University
Faculty of Law and Economics
Research Associate, Faculty of Law and Economics, Chiba University (philosophy of law)

I specialize in the study of multiculturism, and to me, the battle between law and science seems to be a perfect example of cross-cultural exchange.
My favorite pastime is traveling alone on my motorcycle (Yamaha DS400).

KIRA, Takayuki

JST-RISTEX project researcher
Tokiwa University

My specialty is philosophy of law, particularly time theory of law, theory of intergenerational justice “law and cinema”, and so on.
Since my participation in this project, I realized what I have studied so far is all related to the point of contact between law and science, and that I have achieved a well-constructed consistency in my activities.
If possible, I would like to specialize more in movie theories, but unfortunately I have been unable to.
My favorite things: movies, Shogi (Japanese Chess), cats, Udon-noodles. Some people worry about my health because I occasionally eat Udon three times a day, but don’t worry. I’m doing fairly fine with this lifestyle. For more detailed information, visit my website.

KOBAYASHI, Fumiaki

Research Associate
School of Law, Meiji University

Strangely enough, I study philosophy of law under a commentator on the Japanese Noh theater.
As such, I specialize in an interdisciplinary field, “law and literature.”
In this project, I am interested in how the court deals with the expert knowledge that they are not familiar with, as that is the point where the project has relevance to my own research area.

TACHIBANA, Koji

A watcher and practitioner of Science Café,

who works for a manufacturer of research reagents as day job.
At the Annual Meeting of Japanese Society for Science and Technology Studies in 2008, I happened to listen to a presentation about “science in court”, which sounded like comic monologue. I believe that was how I started to take interest in this field. After that, I invited Ms. Nakamura, the leader of this project, to Science Café as a guest, and in the following year, she recommended me to join this project.
I work in the field of science by trade, and for me the judicial world is a totally unknown one.
Management member of the science café “Kagaku Hiroba (Science Agora)”, and advisor to the Science Communication Society of Japan
Webmaster of Science Café Portal, and special correspondent of Science Portal

NAKAJIMA, Takako

Part-time lecturer
International Christian University

I am interested in technologies used by humans to act on nature, and also in history of science and technology, particularly social history of science and technology in terms of food and agriculture.　While I was investigating history of incidents and accidents that posed a threat to food security and safety, I realized that people’s anxieties related to such food issues had been brought to court, and that was how I came to know this project.
Part-time lecturer at International Christian University

HIRATA, Oriza

Playwright and director

At the age of 16, he took a leave of absence from high school and boldly carried out the around-the-world bicycle trip. After returning to Japan, he passed the College Entrance Qualification Exam, and entered International Christian University (ICU).
While he was in college, he established Seinendan Theater Company. In the 1990s, he developed "contemporary colloquial theater theory," which, since then, has constantly been posing a great influence on the theater world.
In 1995, he won the 39th Kishida Kunio Drama Award with "Tokyo Note (Tokyo Notes)." His works have been performed and published in various countries particularly in France.
Since 2002, over 300,000 children per year have created drama in the classrooms based on Hirata’s workshop method, which was also included in a Japanese text book for junior high school students.
Since 2008, he has received attention with the works created in collaboration with Ishiguro Laboratory of Osaka University, including Robot Theater “Hataraku Watashi (I, Worker)” and Android Theater “Sayonara (Goodbye)”.
His current positions include Professor at the Osaka University Center for the Study of Communication-Design, Special Advisor to the Cabinet, Visiting Professor and Special Advisor to the President at Shikoku Gakuin University, Artistic Director of Komaba Agora Theater, Board Member of the Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities, Councilor for Art and Culture Council of Tokyo, member of the Japanese Textbooks Editorial Board of the Sanseido Publishing Company, and member of the Promotion Council for Communication Education of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Main publications (books): “Engeki Nyumon(Introduction to Theater)” and "Engito Enshutsu (Acting and Directing)" (both published as Kodansha Gendai Shinsho), "Geijutsu Rikkoku-ron (Arts as the Basis of a Nation)" - the 7th AICT Drama Critics Award (published as Shueisha Shinsho), “Taiwa no Lesson (Dialogue Lessons)” (published from Shogakukan), “Engekino Kotoba (Theater Words)” (published from Iwanami Shoten), and “Communication Ryoku wo Hikinobasu (Enhancing Communication Skills)” (co-authored, published as PHP Shinsho).