[Interdepartmental Seminar] Final Report Meeting for the 2026 Spring Semester

On Saturday, July 4th, the final report meeting for this year's Spring Semester "Cross-Faculty Seminar Project" (Course Name: Cross-Faculty Problem Solving Project) was held publicly, with representatives from Iris Ohyama Co., Ltd., the company providing the assignments, invited to our university.

This semester, students worked on the following assignments.

(1) Organize the diverse stakeholders surrounding the issue-providing company and clarify what roles the company plays in society and within what relationships it operates. Based on this, through the relationship between companies and society, the book examines the mechanisms and challenges of contemporary society, as well as its relationship with the environment, and compiles it into a booklet.

(2) In response to these challenges, we consider proposals on how to create our future through companies providing these issues.

Team A listening to comments on the announcement

In the spring semester, students in their second year and above are eligible to take the course. This term, 19 students—12 third-year students and 7 second-year students—enrolled, divided into two teams, and conducted research and analysis on Iris Ohyama's business content, history, and the challenges surrounding the company.

From the start of classes to the midterm presentations, each faculty conducted research and analysis while leveraging their expertise. Afterwards, we formed a cross-departmental team, and based on the results of research and analysis up to the midterm presentation, we held repeated discussions within the team to consider concrete proposals.
At the final report meeting, more than 60 people, including online participants, watched and each team gave a 30-minute presentation. Additionally, a simplified printed version of the booklet was distributed to on-site participants, and online participants were allowed to view the shared PDF version.

One team focused on the youth consumption trend known as "moment consumption" and proposed <IRIS LABO> with the concept of "encountering through moments, connecting through products." Another team, based on C. Wright Mills' "The Sociological Imagination," derived the concept of "social in," a perspective that grasps the underlying societal problems behind everyday difficulties, and devised a new proposal from that perspective. These proposals reflect the students' desire to solve social issues such as "changes in consumer trends," "disaster prevention," and "elderly care."

After the presentation, representatives from Iris Ohyama and university officials

・"I wanted not only a perspective to understand the present, but also a viewpoint that looks toward the near future."

・"I liked that the images showing the proposal were made easy to understand while utilizing AI generation."

・"Amid population decline and aging, I felt that the perspective of 'Social In' is important globally. I find it very meaningful that such reflections have emerged from the younger generation."

We received comments such as these.

Team B taking notes on comments on the announcement

By conducting research and analysis on various businesses of Iris Ohyama Co., Ltd., we were able to deepen our reflections on the relationship between companies and society, the mechanisms and challenges of modern society, and even their relationship with the environment. This was a valuable opportunity to consider how to apply the knowledge I learned at university within society.

Next term, we will continue to pursue this project with diverse perspectives, valuing the unanswered theme of examining issues surrounding companies.

Cover of the booklet created by students enrolled in the Spring semester of 2026

"We were able to successfully complete the final report meeting. I'm relieved that everyone was able to present together. I believe we were able to clearly convey the results of our analysis. During the fade-back of the presentation, they touched on the importance of social interaction and the focus on challenges, making us realize that what we have done so far was not wrong. I was truly happy. However, challenges included the inability to communicate in detail about connections with stakeholders and the inability to propose products unique to Iris Ohyama regarding disaster preparedness sets. Also, if we had analyzed our current state of disaster preparedness a bit more, I think the presentation would have been even more convincing. I also felt that in a society where AI will play even more active roles, we need to delve deeper into the roles disaster prevention seminars and caregiving events can play. Having realized how important it is to "think about the near future" when thinking about corporate business, I feel that precisely because Iris Ohyama is always conscious of survival, if we had emphasized that aspect while considering "social in," the proposal could have responded to the AI society as well, and now that I feel this is the only feeling.

"At the end of the report meeting, the professor spoke about the importance of experiencing stepping out of comfortable spaces, which reminded me of when this cross-section seminar had just begun. Whether in Phase 1 or Phase 2, I initially felt anxious about tackling difficult challenges with new faces. Also, for about two weeks after becoming a cross-sectional team, they struggled to build team relationships. However, in both Phase 1 and Phase 2, as we engaged in dialogue and bonded with team members, I now feel that cross-functional teams are comfortable spaces. In this way, the experience of stepping out of the space I had been in and being able to build a new team and create a comfortable environment gave me confidence that I would succeed in my next challenge. To make use of what I learned in class, I want to continue taking on new challenges with confidence and 'initiative.'

NEWS & EVENTS

[Interdepartmental Seminar] Final Report Meeting for the 2026 Spring Semester

Students' impressions after the final presentation (from class SNS)