To elucidate the process of children’s social development and related factors, we conduct the “Ibaraki Cohort” study, which follows children and their caregivers in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, from the fetal period onward. Utilizing the findings and methodologies from the Ibaraki Cohort, we are also conducting developmental research in East Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Indonesia. Through these studies, we aim to implement scientifically based childcare practices and employment support for women.

In recent years, the child-rearing environment has undergone significant changes due to declining birthrates, an aging population, increased female participation in the workforce, and a shift towards nuclear families. In addition, the rising trend of advanced maternal age has heightened anxiety surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. Due to changes in the social environment surrounding children, issues related to the development of children’s social skills have become more prominent. This study aims to address these challenges by proposing child-rearing support measures grounded in scientific evidence.

Based at the Osaka Ibaraki Campus of Ritsumeikan University, and embracing the concept of a “Gateway to Asia,” we will establish a developmental research center for world-class research and education, earning broad trust from the international community. This center will operate as a sustainable industry-academia-government co-creation system, engaging diverse stakeholders, including businesses, local governments, and citizens. We also aim to implement effective, scientifically based childcare and employment support across East Asian countries.

Using data from the Ibaraki Cohort, a longitudinal developmental study beginning from pregnancy, we aim to identify key factors in children’s social and cognitive development. Since the children participating in the study will be in elementary school in 2024, we also plan to investigate the relationship between the children’s academic performance and their physical and social environment.
Utilizing the findings and methodology of the Ibaraki Cohort study, we will expand our developmental research to other East Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Indonesia.

For administrative agencies: Proposals for addressing the declining birthrate, child-rearing policies, and support measures tailored to ethnicity, family type, and cultural diversity based on scientific evidence.
For universities: Offering research opportunities for students and young researchers. With many female researchers involved in this project, we also provide role models of working women who are actively exercising leadership in society.
For companies: Developing products that help parents balance work and childcare, etc.

Partnerships:
We would like to develop products and facilities that meet the needs of infants and expectant/nursing mothers, as well as to develop Femtech to support working mothers, through partnerships with specialists in various child-related research fields, such as psychology, pedagogy, sociology, and medicine, as well as with local governments and other administrative agencies, NPOs, and other manufacturing companies. We would also like to strengthen joint research with international researchers, especially in Asian countries.

Research collaborations:
When collaborating with universities and research institutions abroad, we aim to consider the diversity of their socio-cultural backgrounds to achieve mutually beneficial research outcomes. I would also like to emphasize the importance of social implementation by providing useful and easy-to-understand feedback to the children and families participating in our research.