Cooperative Research Center of Life Sciences
(Established April 2006)

The seven research themes

• Development of virus vectors for analysis of gene functions and treatment of lifestyle diseases, and extension of the results for gene therapy
• Elucidation of the mechanisms of apoptosis-controlling substances and their application in medical treatment
• Identification of carcinostatic substances based on cell cycle control activity and development of anti-cancer drugs and functional food products
• Analysis of thrombotic and hemostatic molecular mechanisms and development of antithrombotic food products
• Identification and redevelopment of new health food ingredients for prevention of lifestyle diseases
• Development of new methods of chemical modification oriented toward the analysis and utilization of protein and biomolecular structural functions
• Development of functional nano- and micro-devices using nanostructure control technology and control and analysis of pharmacokinetic properties

East Asian Industry and Economy Research Center
(Established April 2002)

The East Asian Industry and Economy Research Center was established within the university's Graduate School of Economics with the backing of the Academic Frontier Promotion Project (for promoting high-level academic research at private universities in Japan) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. This was preceded by the holding of a symposium to which Japanese affiliated companies, organizations of Thai businesspersons, and Japanese and Thai government agencies were invited. Based on the resultant confirmation of the current state, efforts are underway to comprehensively track and analyze the industry and economy of East Asia, with the central focus on Thailand but also looking at countries such as China and Vietnam. The research involved includes the gathering and analysis of data and materials, as well as fieldwork such as interviews with local enterprises.

The three research themes

• Providing support for high-level integration of enterprises within ASEAN, particularly by supplying information to small and midsize Japanese companies wishing to establish local operations in the region.
• Making proposals to ASEAN subsidiaries of Japanese companies on ways to increase competitiveness under a division of labor system including locally capitalized enterprises and Chinese capitalized enterprises in ASEAN countries.
• Supplying information relevant to the industrial policies of Japan and ASEAN countries and promoting economic cooperation between Japan and ASEAN countries.

Center for Area Research and Development
(Established April 2002)

Members of the university community proactively leave the campus to engage in intellectual exchanges with local people, and from that process gain a deeper understanding of a variety of issues, which they bring back onto the campus. The Academic Frontier Promotion Project of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, which has been the core entity of this practical research, has successfully completed its eight years of work. At present, plans are underway to launch new research projects.

Clinical Psychology Counseling Center
(Established October 2007)

The Clinical Psychology Counseling Center was opened as a place for people outside of the university to seek advice about various psychological concerns such as parenting and child-related problems, interpersonal relationships, and physical and mental wellbeing. The center is staffed by university faculty and specialists with clinical psychologist certification. It also serves as a training and research facility for postgraduate students majoring in clinical psychology at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences. Under this system, graduate students also offer counseling under the supervision of clinical psychologists and faculty.