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From September 30 to October 2, 2026, the HIRAKU-Global Retreat 2026 was held under beautiful sunny skies, a welcome contrast to the rainy weather that had continued in the days leading up to the event. Hosted by Yamaguchi University, the retreat brought together 16 HIRAKU-Global Researchers (HGRs) from ��ɫ��Ƶ, Yamaguchi University, Ehime University, and Tokushima University. As a first for the retreat, a welcome reception was held on the evening of the first day. The venue featured foot baths beneath the conference tables, offering participants a unique opportunity to experience the local character of Yuda Onsen. The evening began with participants forming groups of four to discuss a series of prepared questions. They then took part in a networking activity in which pairs searched for commonalities, changing partners three times. The activity created an open and friendly atmosphere and allowed participants to get to know one another on a deeper level.

The second day began with a lecture session. Following opening remarks by Prof. , Assistant Vice President for Academic Research and Industry-Academia Collaboration at Yamaguchi University, Prof. Carolin FUNCK, Specially Designated Professor at ��ɫ��Ƶ and Executive Manager of HIRAKU-Global, delivered a message to HGRs while introducing her own research background. She emphasized the importance of interdisciplinarity in research. Geography, her field of expertise, is inherently interdisciplinary, and she noted that a retreat bringing together researchers from a wide range of disciplines offers tremendous potential for new collaborative opportunities. Having assumed the role of Executive Manager only in April of this year, this was Prof. Funck's first opportunity to meet HGRs in person.

Next, Yamaguchi University invited two researchers with experience in securing large-scale competitive funding, Prof. and Lecturer , to share their insights. They discussed grant review processes, interviews, and strategies for obtaining major research funding. Drawing on their own experiences, including challenges and unsuccessful attempts, they spoke about the interdisciplinary nature of large funding schemes such as the FOREST program, the importance of pursuing innovative research through trial and error, and the value of maintaining multiple research approaches while strategically positioning proposals. As research funding is a topic of great interest to many researchers, the session generated numerous questions and lively discussion. Afterwards, participants broke into small groups for further exchanges on the topic. Discussions covered disparities in funding needs across disciplines, differences in institutional support systems among universities, and various approaches to managing and securing research funds. Participants also consulted one another on future funding strategies. These conversations highlighted the fact that support mechanisms can differ significantly even among national universities. They also underscored the importance of leveraging HIRAKU-Global's inter-university collaboration framework to explore more effective support systems. Sharing challenges and exchanging knowledge across institutions is one of the key strengths of HIRAKU-Global, a consortium dedicated to fostering regional collaboration throughout the Chugoku and Shikoku regions.

In the afternoon, participants traveled by bus to Akiyoshido Cave and the Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau for a fieldwork program. The cave, formed over millions of years from coral reefs that existed beneath a warm sea approximately 350 million years ago, offered breathtaking examples of natural geological formations created through the accumulation, uplift, and gradual erosion of limestone. Above the cave lies the expansive Akiyoshidai Plateau. Emerging from the cave and climbing the path to the surface, participants were greeted by sweeping grasslands stretching across the karst landscape. The refreshing breeze and panoramic views provided a truly memorable experience. The group then visited the Akiyoshi-dai Museum of Natural History, where curator Mr. Fujikawa introduced participants to various aspects of the region's natural and cultural heritage. Although his specialty is geology, his extensive knowledge extended to other natural sciences as well as history and culture. Particularly memorable was his explanation that a comprehensive understanding of the Akiyoshidai region requires perspectives from multiple academic disciplines and the integration of those perspectives into a unified interpretation. His remarks vividly reinforced the theme of interdisciplinarity discussed throughout the morning's sessions. During the latter part of the museum visit, participants experienced fossil collecting. The limestone of Akiyoshidai is rich in fossils from ancient marine organisms. After receiving instructions, participants eagerly began breaking rocks in search of specimens. The limestone proved remarkably hard, but the site soon echoed with the sounds of enthusiastic fossil hunters at work. After about thirty minutes, every participant discovered at least one kind of fossil, including brachiopods, corals, and even ammonites, which they were able to take home as souvenirs. Following the day's activities, participants returned to the university area where they were staying. Over dinner, they continued their conversations and further strengthened their connections with one another.

The final day took participants to the Kanmon Strait. Staff members from the West Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO West Japan) provided an overview of bridge maintenance operations and measures used to prevent structural deterioration. Participants learned that maintaining the Kanmonkyo Bridge is a massive undertaking that unfolds over decades through carefully phased repair projects. Equipped with helmets and safety vests, participants then had the rare opportunity to ascend the bridge itself. Climbing steep staircases, narrow elevators, and ladders, they reached the top of one of the bridge towers, 134 meters above ground level. Looking down from the edge toward the roadway below was a thrilling experience, while the panoramic view encompassing both Honshu and Kyushu and the surrounding sea was truly spectacular. After descending from the bridge, participants learned about the Kanmon Tunnel, including its ventilation systems and drainage mechanisms. This marked the final activity of the third day and the conclusion of the HIRAKU-Global Retreat 2026. The group then moved to Karato Market, where participants enjoyed fresh seafood and other local specialties for lunch before beginning their journeys home.

This year's retreat was the most activity-filled retreat to date. Through a combination of intellectual exchange, hands-on experiences, and informal conversations, participants engaged both mind and body while deepening friendships and professional connections with fellow HIRAKU-Global Researchers. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone at Yamaguchi University whose efforts made this retreat possible.

HIRAKU-Global Retreat FY2026 Organizers from Yamaguchi University 

HASUIKE Rina, 2nd Cohort HGR
SATO Yu, 3rd Cohort HGR
TSUJI Shunya, 6th Cohort HGR
 

Acknowledgements

Dr. TAKANO Ai, Professor at Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University 
Dr. TOMINAGA Naoomi, Lecturer at Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University 
Yamaguchi University HIRAKU-Global Office
Akiyoshi-dai Museum of Natural History
West Nippon Expressway Company Limited