Dear Partners, Participants, Students, and Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to announce the 5th Seirei International Research Conference (SIRC) 2023. The purpose of the first conference, which we organized four years ago, was to bring our partner institutions together to share research and research ideas. That goal has already been achieved. Many institutions have already started successful collaborating in education and research exchanges. International students come to study at Seirei Christopher University (SCU) every year. It is noteworthy that professionals who participated in SIRC 2019 learned about Japan at that conference and will be studying and conducting research at SCU in 2022. Our university has become as a hub for many connections, which directly leads to our mutual academic development.

As we can see from the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the world is now connected. We have shifted from friendly competition to collaboration. We are now expected to make new discoveries by sharing our knowledge and discussing our own issues together. At this conference, I sincerely hope that we will be able to exchange research with each other and come up with ideas that we have never thought of before.

Mutual understanding and respect are essential when collaborating with each other. Cultural backgrounds and other factors are essential to understanding people. In this sense, cultural exchange is an important activity in addition to research exchange. It is important to talk together and introduce each other's culture. It would be a great pleasure if this conference could also be a place to learn about the value of diversity.

Since last year, we have included a session for undergraduates. The activities of undergraduates, who will lead the next generation, can be said to be training the next generation of researchers. At the Global Partners Summit, we will discuss specific measures for research, human, educational, and cultural exchange among institutions. New activities have emerged from the summit in the past.

What we have learned from the global infectious disease crisis is the ability to be resourceful and adaptable. Every country has had to deal with similar issues during the pandemic such as testing, response measures, and how to live with the disease. We are constantly thinking about what is necessary, considering and implementing methods, and verifying their effectiveness. This is truly the process of research. Now is the time for us researchers to be resourceful.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the many people who have participated in previous Seirei International Research Conferences. We hope that the participants will have a meaningful time and a meaningful exchange at SIRC 2023!

Sincerest regards,

Isamu Shibamoto, Ph.D.
Chair, Seirei International Research Conference 2023 (SIRC2023)