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Doshisha University


A new transnational history explores Japanese migration to Canada from 1877 to 1988, illuminating resilience, displacement, community building, and the struggle for justice

A new reference essay examines Japanese migration to Canada from 1877 to 1988, highlighting the development of vibrant communities and women's roles in shaping immigrant life. The article also explores the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Canadians during WWII and their ongoing struggle for justice.

Can volunteers replace professional language teachers in Japan?

A study by Associate Professor Bettina Gildenhard explores the tensions between personal initiatives, national language policies, and professionalism in volunteer-led Japanese language classes. The research highlights the need for a balanced approach, increasing investment in professional language educators while supporting volunteer i...

SourceDoshisha University·JournalJapan Forum·TypeObservational study·DateMay 12, 2026

Understanding Japan’s complex religious landscape

A study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion found that over 40% of Japanese respondents identified as nonreligious or atheist yet still participated in rituals and believed in gods and the afterlife. The researchers highlighted the need for flexible tools to capture diverse forms of religiosity, particularly i...

SourceDoshisha University·JournalJournal for the Scientific Study of Religion·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 8, 2026

Promoting communication in English among students learning English as a foreign language

A recent study by Doshisha University found that a supportive classroom environment boosts students' willingness to communicate in English, promoting language learning and motivation. The study applied self-determination theory principles to analyze the factors influencing Japanese university students' communication willingness, highli...

SourceDoshisha University·JournalBritish Journal of Educational Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateApr 20, 2026

Unveiling a ‘conspiracy of silence’ surrounding Johnny Kitagawa’s crimes of sexual abuse

A recent study examines the mechanisms behind Japan's prolonged silence on Johnny Kitagawa's crimes, characterizing it as a 'conspiracy of silence.' The research reveals that structural factors, including media networks and government policies, contributed to this silence. Key findings include the avoidance of negative coverage by tele...

SourceDoshisha University·JournalJapan Forum·TypeCase study·DateApr 2, 2026

Effect of teachers' responses to school bell on social tension in classroom interactions

A new study by Doshisha University found that teachers' deliberate actions at the start of a lesson, such as responding to the school bell, can create social tightness or looseness. Teachers who enforced strict rules and verbal prompts maintained tightness, while those with more relaxed approaches created loose occasions for students.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalLinguistics and Education·TypeObservational study·DateMar 25, 2026

New deep learning framework solves the cold-start problem

A new framework, DUPGT-CDR, uses gating networks to effectively incorporate both positive and negative feedback in cross-domain recommendation systems, achieving lower prediction errors and improved convergence speed. The framework offers more precise product recommendations and personalized learning resources across various domains.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalIEEE Access·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 16, 2026

Can smart cameras improve evacuations? A new approach to smarter crowd mapping

Researchers developed a color-guided depth recovery method for non-repetitive LiDAR images to improve real-time crowd monitoring during disasters. The method reconstructs continuous depth structures while preventing over-smoothing and overfilling gaps, achieving improved depth accuracy and structural consistency.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 26, 2026

Elucidating liquid-liquid phase separation under non-equilibrium conditions

A team of researchers studied the effect of antisolvent addition rate and initial solute concentration on localized liquid-liquid phase separation in a ternary water/ethanol/butylparaben system. Their findings show that high antisolvent addition rates and high initial solute concentrations enhance the likelihood of LLPS, highlighting t...

SourceDoshisha University·JournalJournal of Molecular Liquids·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2026

A new Japanese study investigates how tariff policies influence long-run economic growth

A new Japanese study uses a two-country model to investigate the impact of tariff policies on economic growth outcomes across countries. The researchers found that similar trade policies can lead to very different growth outcomes across countries, depending on a country's existing industrial structure.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalEconomic Modelling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 8, 2026

Divine punishment as an ancient tool for modern sustainability

Researchers found that strong supernatural belief systems can effectively reduce environmental harm by encouraging restraint and promoting sustainable relationships between humans and nature. The study's model showed that supernatural punishments are effective when the fear of punishment outweighs short-term gains and is not too extreme.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 15, 2025

Researchers explore new strategies to develop environmentally safe polymer materials

A team of researchers developed a simulation model to clarify the influence of 4-position substitution in cyclic ketene acetals on radical ring-opening polymerization. The study found that certain monomers can produce degradable polymers, which may be used for environmentally friendly packaging and biomedical applications.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalMacromolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Tackling depressive symptoms in high school students by honing emotional and social skills

A year-long intervention program in Japan has shown promising results in reducing depressive symptoms among high school students. The Mastery of Interpersonal Relationships and Emotional Skills (MIRaES) program addresses practical constraints to provide a feasible universal prevention approach for school settings.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 25, 2025

Muscle quality may hold clues to early cognitive decline

A recent study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle found that phase angle, a measure of muscle quality, is linked to memory performance and dementia risk in middle-aged and older adults. Higher phase angle was associated with lower risk of mild cognitive impairment and better memory in both men and women.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalJournal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2025

Enhancing heat transfer using the turbulent flow of viscoelastic fluids

Viscoelastic fluids exhibit a unique relaxation time that interacts with turbulence, resulting in an unexpected meandering motion. This interaction leads to three distinct flow states: low, middle, and high diffusivity states, with the high-diffusivity state significantly enhancing heat transfer efficiency.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2025

Unveiling the intricate mechanisms behind oxysterol-induced cell death

Researchers at Doshisha University reveal that 25-hydroxycholesterol causes a specific type of cell death called ferroptosis, which could contribute to various diseases. The study identifies two key mechanisms by which 25-OHC induces ferroptosis, including inhibition of cellular pathways and disruption of antioxidant systems.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 20, 2025

Porous silicon oxide electrodes: A breakthrough towards sustainable energy storage

Researchers at Doshisha University developed porous silicon oxide electrodes that improve the durability and energy density of all-solid-state batteries. The electrodes can withstand repeated charge/discharge cycles without cracking or peeling, making them a promising solution for sustainable energy storage.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 14, 2024

Preventing heat stroke in tennis: insights into the heat environments of tennis courts

Researchers investigated the thermal environments of various tennis court surfaces, revealing significant differences in wet-bulb globe temperature (WGBT) values. The study suggests that on-site WBGT measurements are crucial for effective heat management in sports, and organizers should consider reducing match frequency in hot conditions.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateAug 6, 2024

Enhancing automatic image cropping models with advanced adversarial techniques

A team from Doshisha University has developed two approaches to generate adversarial examples for image cropping, achieving significant reductions in perturbation sizes. The white-box approach manipulates gaze saliency maps to produce effective images, while the black-box approach uses Bayesian optimization to target specific regions.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalIEEE Access·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Improving the effectiveness of earthquake early warning systems

Researchers suggest three measures to improve EEW alerts: conducting nationwide drills, maintaining safe environments, and adding clear instructions to encourage immediate action. Studies found that people often wait for tremors to begin instead of taking protective measures, highlighting the need for more effective warning systems.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2024

Comparative analysis of robot-assisted language learning systems and human tutors in English conversation lessons

A comparative analysis of robot-assisted language learning systems and human tutors found that robots can improve English-speaking skills through repetitive practice. However, human interaction is still essential for developing real-life language use. The study used a table-top humanoid robot to teach 26 university students, showing si...

SourceDoshisha University·JournalInternational Journal of Social Robotics·TypeObservational study·DateMay 10, 2024

Understanding the crucial role of information delivery in improving citizen perceptions of government policy: insights from Kyoto City

A study conducted by Professor Yu Noda at Doshisha University found that providing citizens with accurate information about government finances can positively influence their perceptions of policy decisions. The research revealed a significant learning effect among individuals dissatisfied with insufficient access to government informa...

SourceDoshisha University·JournalInternational Review of Administrative Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateMay 9, 2024