- Kimiko Akama
- Program Chair / Professor / Master of Arts
Completed the first stage of the doctoral program in Japanese Literature at the Graduate School of Humanities, Japan Women’s University. She is also a speech-language pathologist specializing in children’s language and development. Since 1998, she has directed the Children’s Development and Learning Research Institute Eureka in Kyoto.
Academic Association
- The Japanese Society for Special Education
- The Learning Disabilities Society of Japan
- The Japan Society of Childcare
- The Japan Pediatric Health Association
Selected Publications
- 『"Just There, in the Usual Place" and other academic articles
- “Generic Skills and SST Required for Employment” (based on long-term work with children with developmental differences)
- 「“Employment and Resilience in Individuals with Developmental Disorders”
- “Writing Skills of Students Aspiring to Become Early Childhood Educators”
Courses Taught
- Japanese Expression Practice
- Children and Language
- Methods of Teaching Language in Childcare
- Special Needs Education
- Childcare for Children Who are Physically Disabled I
- Childcare Practice Seminar
- Masashi Shiozaki
- Professor / Master of Education
Completed the first stage of the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Education, Waseda University. He has worked on educational initiatives at boards of education and high schools, and after teaching at universities in Tokyo, he assumed his current position.
Areas of Expertise
- Educational Policy
- Sociology of Education
Academic Association
- Japanese Society for the Study of Learning Societies
- Japan Society of Social Education
- Waseda University Society of Education
- Waseda University Institute for Teacher Education
Selected Publications
- Report on Survey Results Concerning Lifelong Learning Awareness
- 『Home Education Guidelines: Mochizuki Parenting Support Songs – Fostering a Rich Mind and Healthy Body』
- 『School Management for Educational Reform: Aiming for Change in Schools, Families, and Communities – Recommendations Based on Ten Perspectives on Reform
- 』
- “A Study on Community Formation in Learning: Lessons from the Life History ‘Hakobe’ in Matsukawa Town, Nagano Prefecture”
- “Participation in Society by Youth Facing Difficulties: Focus on Learning Support Systems During the Transition after School Education”
- “Development of Lifelong Learning Support Systems for Youth Facing Difficulties: A Comparative Study of Initiatives in Japan and the UK During the Post-School Period”
- “Withdrawal of Connections Services and Birmingham City’s Response: Implications for Youth Support Measures in Japan”
Courses Taught
- Sociology of Education
- Curriculum and Childcare Studies
- Educational Methods
- Educational Counseling
- Educational Practicum
- Teacher Training Practicum
- Sachiko Sato
- Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education
She studied early childhood education at Japan Women’s University and community welfare and family relations at Ritsumeikan University Graduate School. After serving as the director of a children’s center in Kyoto City for ten years, she assumed her current position.
Areas of Expertise
- Her research areas include child-rearing support, the social environment surrounding children, and community collaboration.
Academic Association
- Japan Society of Family Sociology
- Japanese Society for Autism Spectrum
Selected Publications
- Approaches to Children with Developmental Variations and Their Parents — Educational and Childcare Consultations as Child-Rearing Support at A Children’s Center
Courses Taught
- Supervision of Childcare Practicum I B
- Childcare Practicum I B (Facility)
- Supervision of Childcare Practicum III
- Childcare Practicum III
- Educational Counseling
- Child and Family Support Theory
- Social Care I
- Child-Rearing Support, etc.
- Hiroshi Inao
- Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education Program ／Master’s in Education
Completed the Graduate Program in Arts, Fine Arts Course, at Joetsu University of Education. Before assuming his current position, he previously worked as an elementary school teacher. His research focuses on creating toys that children with developmental disabilities can enjoy, emphasizing art activities that nurture children’s creativity. Member of the Sculpture Section of the Japan National Art Association.
Academic Association
- Member of the Japan National Art Association
Selected Publications
- "A Study on the Formative Arts of the Alps"
- Let’s Create with Transforming Clay
- Let’s Make Memory Cards
- Rise Up, My Art—— in Nakanoshima
- Inclusive Support Focused on Children’s Sense of Achievement: Effects and Potential of Toy-Making Activities
Courses Taught
- Early Childhood and Creative Expression (Art)
- Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education (Expression & Art)
- Techniques in Early Childhood Education (Art)
- Akiko Nishikawa
- Full-Time Lecturer, Department of Early Childhood Education ／Master’s in Human Sciences
Completed the Graduate Program in Human Sciences (Master’s) at Waseda University. Previously worked as a psychologist at the Comprehensive Center for Children with Physical and Mental Disabilities and as a part-time lecturer at a junior college. She values the “child within everyone.”
Areas of Expertise
- Psychology
Academic Association
- Japanese Society of Developmental Psychology
- Japan Society of Early Childhood Education
Selected Publications
- Infant Care (book)
- “Effects of Touch-Care Behaviors on Maternal Emotions Toward Infants” (academic paper)
- “A Longitudinal Study of Touch-Care Behaviors: Considerations of Mother-Infant Contact During Infancy” (academic paper)
- “A Study on Mother-Infant Holding and Difficulty in Holding (Part 2): Analysis Using Maternal Awareness and Questionnaires on Holding Difficulty”
- “Survey on Early Childhood Educators’ Assessment of Children’s Experiences (Part 1)”
Courses Taught
- Psychology for Education and Childcare
- Early Childhood and Human Relationships
- Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education (Human Relationships)
- Infant Care I
- Early Childhood Education Practice Seminar
- Ikuko Tanaka
- Full-time Lecturer
Graduated from Takada Junior College, Department of Early Childhood Education.
She worked at public kindergartens in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, and at the Suzuka City Board of Education. After serving eight years as the principal of a public kindergarten, she retired.
She then worked as a Human Resource Development Coordinator at the Mie Industry Support Center. After that, she served as an office manager at a social welfare corporation and later worked in the COVID-19 response division of a private company.
She has been in her current position since April 2022.
Academic Association
- Japan Association of Early Childhood Education and Care Teacher Training
- Japan Society of Childcare
- Japan Society of Early Childhood Education
Selected Publications
- Joint Research Presentation at Suzuka National College of Technology: “Career Education from Early Childhood”
- Contribution and presentation at the Mie Science Network Results Forum
- Authored case studies for “Guidebook for Career Education”
- Compiled the report “Research on Effective Practices in Early Childhood to Build the Foundations for Physical Fitness Improvement”
- Created “Furusato Mie Karuta”
Courses Taught
- Theory of Childcare Workers
- Principles of Childcare
- Overview of Childcare Content
- Childcare Practice Seminars I & II
- Supervision of Childcare Practicum I A
- Childcare Practicum I A (Nursery School)
- Childcare Practicum II
- Kenichi Morimoto
- Professor Emeritus (Ph.D. in Science)
Graduated from Suwa Seiryo High School and completed the doctoral program at Tokyo University of Education, earning a Ph.D. in Science.
Academic Association
- Japanese Society of Environmental Science
- Japan Society on Water Environment
- Others
Selected Publications
- Research on the dynamics of phytoplankton communities in hyper-eutrophic waters
- Survey on the awareness and behavior of 1,300 young people regarding environmental issues
- Awarded the Junior College Teaching Achievement Award (2010)
Courses Taught
- Global Environmental Studies
- Environmental Issues Seminar
- Early Childhood Curriculum Seminar (Environment)
- Experiential Nature Activities
- Kazuo Takai
- Lecturer / Master’s in Education
Graduated from the Faculty of Education, Shinshu University, and completed the graduate program at Kanazawa University Graduate School of Education. After teaching at universities and junior colleges in Tohoku, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and other regions, he assumed his current position. He has climbed all of Japan’s “100 Famous Mountains” and has traveled to 43 countries. Travel and outdoor sports are central themes in his life.
Areas of Expertise
- Outdoor Education
- 、Physical Education
Selected Publications
- Research on why humans climb mountains
- The Adventure Philosophy of Naoki Uemura
- Nature Conservation and Environmental Protection in New Zealand
- Children’s Sports and Physical Education in New Zealand
- Research on the selection of Japan’s “100 Famous Mountains” in Hokkaido
Courses Taught
- 「Lifelong Sports
- 」「Health and Physical Education
- 」「Early Childhood and Health
- 」「Early Childhood Curriculum Seminar (Health)」
Toyonaga, Makoto
Lecturer
Ishihara, Miki
Lecturer／Ph.D. (Academic Studies)
Matsumura, Tetsuya
Lecturer／Ph.D. (Agriculture)
Usuda, Yukari
Lecturer／M.A. (Literature)
Kawase, Katsutoshi
Lecturer
Mukoyama, Reiko
Lecturer
Karasawa, Fumihiko
Lecturer
Karasawa, Rumiko
Lecturer
Gomi, Naomi
Lecturer
Hara, Yoko
Lecturer
Tada, Kazuhiro
Lecturer／Ph.D. (Law)
Yagame, Hiromi
Lecturer
Nishiji, Yuka
Lecturer／M.Ed.
Nagai, Chikako
Lecturer／ M.Ed.