JFOU Machida Summer 2027Japanese Society (Innovation through Science and Technology in Japan).xlsx

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1	Syllabus format 2027
2	Semester	2027Summer
3	Course	Japanese Society (Innovation through Science and Technology in Japan)
4	Instructor	TBD
5	Instructed only by foreign languages
6	Instruction Language		English
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10	Active Learning included
11	Active Learning Type	☑️	Discussion, Debates			☑️	Group work	☑️	Presentation
12		☑️	Flipped Classroom		Possible Practicum/Fieldwork				Experience
13			Investigation		Mock classes		PBL		Others
14	Course Description	This intensive course introduces students to how Japan responds to social, economic, and global challenges through innovation in science and technology. Using Japan as a case study, the course examines how governments, industries, and societies shape the development and use of emerging technologies. Students will explore key areas such as microchips (semiconductors), artificial intelligence (AI), smart infrastructure, and Japan’s energy and green transition, while considering their broader implications for society, governance, and everyday life. The course follows the logical progression of technological innovation in Japan, beginning with microchips as the hardware foundation of modern digital systems. It then moves to artificial intelligence as an increasingly important tool for decision-making and problem-solving, followed by smart cities as examples of how digital technologies are integrated into urban life. The course concludes with Japan’s green energy transition to examine how technological innovation can contribute to sustainability, resilience, and the vision of Society 5.0. Rather than focusing on technical details, the course emphasizes how innovation works in practice: how ideas move from research to implementation, how governments and industries support innovation, and how technology is used to address contemporary challenges such as population aging, disaster resilience, and environmental sustainability. Through lectures, discussions, case studies, and interactive activities, students will examine how Japan’s approach to innovation is shaped by culture, institutions, and societal needs. On the Machida campus, students will engage in collaborative learning activities while gaining academic and cultural insights into Japan’s approach to technological and social change. The program also incorporates experiential learning opportunities, including field visits to sites related to science, technology, and innovation in the Tokyo area. These experiences are intended to help students connect classroom concepts with real-world examples of how innovation is embedded in everyday life and public systems in Japan. As part of the course, students will develop an original innovation proposal inspired by their academic learning and field experiences. Through a final project presentation, students will identify a contemporary societal challenge in the world or in their own country, and design a potential science and technology solution informed by lessons from Japan’s innovation experience. This project encourages students to think critically and creatively about how technological innovation can contribute to building more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient societies. Students will also participate in cultural learning activities such as a traditional Tea Ceremony, Japanese Calligraphy, and a trip to historic Kamakura where they can wear kimonos. These activities are accompanied by academic lectures that explore the cultural and historical significance of these practices, helping students understand how Japan’s traditions continue to shape its contemporary society and identity. Through academic and cultural immersion, students will not only deepen their understanding of innovation in Japan but also develop cross-cultural perspectives on the relationship between technology, society, and governance in an increasingly interconnected world. The course meets for a minimum of 45 hours per two-week period. Students receive four (4) J.F. Oberlin University credits with a minimum grade of D.
15	Course Objectives	By the end of the course, students should be able to: -Explain the significance of microchips, artificial intelligence, smart infrastructure, and green innovation in contemporary Japanese society. - Analyze how social, economic, and environmental challenges in Japan shape patterns of innovation and technological change. - Examine the roles of government, industry, and society in supporting and governing innovation in Japan. - Reflect on Japan's innovation experiences through field-based and experiential learning activities, connecting classroom concepts with real-world examples. - Develop and communicate an innovative solution to a real-world challenge by integrating lessons from Japan's experiences with insights from their own cultural and societal contexts.
16	Course Schedule　※Fill in according to the number of times the class is to be held.
17		Date		Details
18	1st	29-Jun		Introduction to the course, expectations, and learning outcomes - (Lecture 1): Innovations in Japan (Foundations and global context) --Overview of key technologies we will study - Activities: (1) Let's innovate! and (2) Where is Japan in this technology?
19	2nd	30-Jun		(Lecture 2) Microchips: The Invisible Foundation and (Lecture 3) AI What microchips (semiconductors) are Why they are essential to modern life Where chips appear in everyday technologies Japan’s role in global microchip technology production and Video watching: Chip War (End of Lecture 2); (Lecture 3) Foundations and applications of AI in Japanese society - Case studies: AI in healthcare, transportation, and services in Japan - Group activity: Discussion on the ethics of AI in everyday life
20	3rd	1-Jul		Field trip #1 (TBA-Friday) - Miraikan (Odaiba)
21	4th	2-Jul		(Lecture 4) Smart Cities and Smart Infrastructure - Lecture: Smart city models in Japan, Comparing Japanese Smart Cities with Global Smart Cities (China, US, Europe) - Interactive activity: Designing a sustainable “mini-smart city” - Reflection on differences in smart cities: Smart cities as reflection of political and governance models and each country's vision of the future of society - Preparation for field trips
22	5th	5-Jul		Field trip # 2 (TBA-Tuesday): - Japan Waterworks Museum (Ochanomizu)
23	6th	6-Jul		Field trip # 3 (TBA-Wednesday): -NTT Museum (Mitaka)
24	7th	7-Jul		(Lecture 5) Japan’s Energy Transition, Green Transformation (GX), and Society 5.0 - Understand Japan’s transition from fossil fuels and nuclear dependence toward renewable and smart energy systems. -Explain the concept of Society 5.0 and its relationship to energy transition. -Evaluate Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) agenda critically. -Compare Japan’s energy transition with other countries.
25	8th	8-Jul		Integration, Final Presentations & Closing - Individual presentations: Innovative solutions and cross-cultural perspectives - Instructor and peer evaluations - Closing reflections
26	9th	9-Jul		Final Presenations
27	Supplementary Activities　※Fill in according to the number of times the class is to be held.
28		Date		Details
29	1st	29-Jun		Technology-impact inventory identifying Japanese innovations and the social challenges they address.
30	2nd	30-Jun		Semiconductor and AI case analysis examining their roles in everyday life, industry, healthcare, transportation, and public services.
31	3rd	1-Jul		Science-and-technology observation journal connecting field experiences with innovation, society, and human needs.
32	4th	2-Jul		Comparative smart-city design activity examining infrastructure, governance, sustainability, and accessibility.
33	5th	5-Jul		Public-infrastructure reflection analyzing how science and technology support safe and reliable urban services.
34	6th	6-Jul		Digital-communications timeline examining the development of Japanese telecommunications and its social impact.
35	7th	7-Jul		Green-transformation comparison evaluating Japan’s energy transition and Society 5.0 alongside another country.
36	8th	8-Jul		Peer-review activity evaluating the feasibility, inclusiveness, sustainability, and cultural relevance of innovation proposals.
37	9th	9-Jul		Final self-assessment reflecting on presentation performance and the potential social impact of the proposed innovation.
38	Feedback Method	TRUE	Critique and Commendary in class
39		FALSE	Provide feedback via email, etc.
40		TRUE	Correct and return tests and reports
41		FALSE	No feedbacks
42		FALSE	Others(Details=>)
43	Textbook	The instructor will provide class materials.
44	Supplementary Reading
45	Grading	90-100 = A 80-89 = B 79-70 = C 60-69 = D 50 and below = F Breakdown: •Active Learning Tasks: 30% •Participation : 20% •Final Presentation: 50%
46	U R L
47	Courses taught by faculty with practical experience
48	Keywords
49	Others
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