The spring presentation session of the 2025 Atsumi fellows was held on Saturday, 7th March 2026, at Kajima Corporation's research facility KX-Lab and via Zoom. Eight students from Poland, Mongolia, South Korea, China, Japan, and Egypt presented on topics ranging from cross-cultural communication, humanities, historiography, creative thinking for social innovation, tocology, biology, Japan studies, and brain treatment. A gathering of such diverse presentations made the session a highly stimulating and multidisciplinary one.

In the first presentation, Dabrowska Juanita compared modal expressions in Japanese and Polish, analyzing how politeness and intention are linguistically constructed. In particular, Juanita shed light on the roles of Japanese expressions such as "yō," "mitai," "rashī," in adjusting recognition and interpersonal distance, as well as how miscommunication occurs in cross-cultural communication. The attempt to connect theoretical frameworks and education practices was notable, and I felt that this had high applicability in foreign language education.

Next, my presentation analyzed the reorganization of the category of "children" in relation to "movement" under Occupied Japan. After losing the war and during occupation, children in Japan emerge as beings cut off from the existing institution of household or the framework of the state, in the forms of war orphans, street children, or mixed-blood children. This research was an attempt to analyze such radical shift in the concept of "children" in post-war Japan, by connecting it to a transnational network of movement such as international adoption or migrants, questioning the image of children in post-war Japan from its roots.

In the third presenter Kang Suk-Jung's work, the history of exoteric-esoteric Buddhism (Kenmitsu-kyō) in Daigo Temple was reconstructed based on a large body of archival records. In particular, the research showed how prior to being restructured into a unified sect under the religious reform during modernization, Daigo Temple studied various Buddhist teachings, and how that changed over time. This project was a fruit of a long on-site investigation and document organization, and I was reminded how important fieldworks are in literary historiography.

The fourth presentation by Lu Mengyao showed the theory and practice of local artistic activity that pays attention to the mutual interaction between "place" and "atmosphere." Through a project in Nezu, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, the presentation showed how a place is not something fixed, but something dynamic, constituted by memories and physical experiences of people. The process of generating artistic expression through storytelling and daily lives of residents suggested a potential of new practices that goes beyond the existing framework of art.

The second half took place after a break. First, Miyauchi Ai reported on a medical intervention that facilitates milk production after cesarian deliveries. By using quasi-experimental method, the research demonstrated that utilizing electric milking machine hastens milk production to a significant degree, presenting an important finding directly connected to clinical practices. The presentation made me realize the strong linkage between medicine and research.

Noda Tomohito presented the research on the symbiosis between cockroach and microorganism. The research focused on the symbiotic system between cockroach and Blattabacterium, contributing to the understanding of their evolutionary process, as well as shedding light on the evolutionary basis of intracellular symbiosis. Despite the object of study being a familiar organism, the research investigated a complex symbiotic system existing within the bug, showing me how deep basic science can go.

Sherweedy Sarah's presentation focused on the problems of narration and performativity in Dazai Osamu literary works, discussing the potential and limitation of translation. The perspective treating literary work not merely as a text, but as a performative practice, brought new insights to literary and translation research.

Finally, Umemoto Ikue reported on the effectiveness of streamlined cognitive behavioral therapy to depression, pointing to tangible potential of clinical application. It was an important research examining the practicality and sustainability of the treatment.

What was especially notable was how each of the presentations were carried out for non-expert audiences, within 15 minutes, but nonetheless thorough in substance—indeed, in an "effortless" fashion. I sensed that behind everyone's ability to communicate such advanced knowledge in a clear and concise manner, there was a real, proper understanding to their own research. I also think that the comments from advisors after each presentation were great opportunity for the audience to further appreciate the research, and great words of encouragement to the presenters as well.

I am truly honored for the opportunity to present alongside other researchers who have climbed a large "mountain" called a doctoral dissertation. Finishing doctoral dissertation may just be standing on the starting line, but it goes without saying how difficult and long the path until now is, and I would like to once again show my deep respect for the effort and success. Everyone, great work, and from the bottom of my heart, congratulations.

I am certain that as the presenters gain more experience, their research result would inspire various audiences beyond borders, giving birth to new intellectual exchanges. Finally, I would like to express how essential the support and backing of the Atsumi International Scholarship Foundation has been to the presentation session today as well as the continuation of our research. My sincerest gratitude to everyone from the foundation for their warm assistance until the finish line, and providing a space for new encounters to us young researchers.

Written by: Enkhbayar Nomin-Erdene (2025 Fellow)