In response to being selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for the "Project for Strengthening Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities (commonly known as J-PEAKS)," the University held a kick-off symposium on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the Hotel New Otani Nagaoka NC Hall and Zoom Webinar.

The University aims to become a world-class "Social Impact Creating SX Research University" that promotes both social sustainability and university sustainability through this project. In his opening remarks, President Shigeharu Kamado expressed his hopes for the project and his aspirations for the realization of the concept. In his opening remarks, President Shigeharu Kamado expressed his hopes for the project and his aspirations for the realization of the concept. In the remarks by guests of honor, Mayor Tatsunobu Isoda of Nagaoka City, President Tsuyoshi Sugino of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Director General Yuichi Inoue of the Science and Technology Policy Bureau of the MEXT, and Bank of Japan Niigata Branch Manager Takahisa Hiragata offered their expectations for the university and words of encouragement. Then, Tadachika Nakayama, Vice President for Special Missions, gave an overview of the project and shared his vision and specific plans for the project.

In the keynote speech, Mr. Toshiyuki Nakamura, Special Assistant to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), gave a lecture titled "Social Change in Africa and Expectations of Nagaoka University of Technology: Toward a Co-Creation Society with the Global South", in which he expressed high expectations for the university's efforts in Africa and other areas where various issues are being demonstrated. The audience had high expectations for the university's activities in Africa and other regions, which are the demonstration site for solutions to various problems.

In his closing remarks, TUAT Director and Vice President Masatoshi Takeda expressed his expectations for future collaboration with stakeholders to promote this project, and the event ended on a high note.

This kick-off symposium was attended by a large number of participants, approximately 380 (approximately 240 on-site and 140 online), who expressed high expectations for the project as well as much interest in the specific initiatives to be undertaken in the future.

Through this project, we will promote efforts to make further contributions to the region and society as a member of a group of research universities that will lead Japan's research capabilities and solve regional issues.