Greeting from the Director of International Institute of Rare Sugar Research and Education

Greeting with New Appointment

Director Kazuya Akimitsu (Trustee and Vice President, Kagawa University)

　It is my honor to take over the Directorship from the former Director, Professor emeritus Ikuo Kataoka.
　Based on the "discovery of rare sugar producing enzymes" by Dr. Ken Izumori (Professor Emeritus of Kagawa University and Research Advisor of IIRSRE), the research flow of rare sugar research, which originated in Kagawa University, has been growing year by year. In addition to bringing about numerous academic findings, it has also paved the way for social implementation through industry-government-academia collaboration, and has grown to attract attention from both inside and outside of Japan. The Kagawa University International Institute of Rare Sugar Research and Education was established in April 2016 under the leadership of former Director & President Yoshiyuki Kakehi, with the aim of becoming an international center for rare sugar research and education by combining the research capabilities of the university and working closely with external research institutions, local governments, and specialized companies. Since its establishment, more than 70 professors have been working on more than 50 research projects every year in a wide range of academic fields beyond the boundaries of faculties.
　More than seven and a half years have already passed since its establishment, and the achievements of the institute are steadily increasing. In 2017, the year after its establishment, the "Kagawa Innovation: Sugar Resources Development Project Using Rare Sugars" was adopted by the Regional Innovation Ecosystems of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan, and we have been vigorously promoting production research and commercialization until March 2022. Researchers from 20 countries gathered at the 8th International Society of Rare Sugars (Rare Sugar Congress 2023) after a success of the 6th in 2016 and the 7th in 2019, and had heated discussions based on the latest research results, and furthermore, discussions for global development centered on the food industry were also advanced. In October 2023, the "Kagawa Regional Innovation Creation Activation through Strengthening Rare Sugar Research" was adopted by the Cabinet Office as a project to strengthen the innovation creation environment at regional core Universities. By utilizing the University's research achievements, we will promote the commercialization of rare sugars in various industrial fields and further promote innovation creation in cooperation with local industries.
　The International Institute of Rare Sugar Research and Education was selected as a J-Innovation HUB Regional Open Innovation Center by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2022, and also received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award in the 12th Regional Industry Support Program Awards Project (Innovation Net Award 2023) supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and related organizations. As one of world-class research centers, we will continue to support research and education, develop human resources with expertise, and promote research and development as a starting point for new innovations with rare sugars. We look forward to your continued cooperation and support.

(October 2023)