To achieve the richness of mind or self that individuals desire, it is essential to understand differences with others and communicate in ways that highlight the positives. In other words, it is important to visualize the mindset of those involved in communication and adjust relationships with others and the group dynamically based on that understanding.

In my RARA activities, I aim to focus on the mental dynamics of individuals and groups, and to develop a communication robot capable of visualizing and changing these dynamics. By using this robot in educational and other settings, I hope to address issues such as bullying, conflicts, loneliness, and isolation, ultimately fostering a future society built on empathy and enriched by creative communication.

Even with close friends and family, we sometimes struggle to understand how the other person feels and may end up talking at cross-purposes. How can we grasp the emotions of someone who has difficulty communicating, like a baby? With time and the right opportunities, we can reduce misunderstandings by talking, observing, and checking in with each other. However, time and social constraints often make this challenging. I believe that technology, which serves as a buffer—bridging the gap between people—could help everyone navigate their daily lives more smoothly and pleasantly.

I believe that realizing an ultra-diverse society will free us from unnecessary interpersonal friction, provide more leisure time, and enhance motivation to learn and work productivity as key social values. Human–machine connecting technology, which integrates people and machines into a unified system, has the potential to create more opportunities for fostering high-quality interpersonal relationships. In addition, I hope this technology will facilitate positive communication, minimizing the negative impact of differences in thinking, culture, gender, language, religion, and other factors.

The roadmap for my research activities is outlined as follows:

1. We can visualize and quantitatively evaluate interpersonal relationships using biogenic and environmental information gathered from physical spaces (schools and workplaces) and cyber spaces (social media and online meetings) in daily life.
2. We can elicit and alter the direction of attention, concern, and interest in individuals and groups.
3. We develop a communication robot with the capabilities outlined in 1 and 2 above, pilot test it in school classes, and develop the capability to support communication between individuals and groups in the field.

This technology visualizes people’s thoughts and transforms relationships within groups through the presence of a communication robot as a buffer. If this technology is extended beyond groups, it has the potential to influence regions and countries. I believe it could contribute to dispute resolution and peace by serving as the foundation for building new relationships that transcend economic or religious boundaries.

Partnerships:
I seek to collaborate with individuals who share the vision of creating a “kinder world” through technical development, regardless of gender, nationality, age, or other personal attributes. I hope to work with people who listen carefully to the voices of young people, who will shape the future society, and who approach research with fresh perspectives, free from fixed ideas. Together, we can accelerate progress toward the society these young people aspire to create, regardless of past accomplishments or achievements.

Research collaborations:
I aim to collaborate to realize my vision of an ultra-diverse society, while respecting each other’s countries, institutions, cultures, and specializations. I hope our collaboration will generate new knowledge that advances each of our respective fields.