Japan's technological prowess may often be obscured by the brand power of finished products. It plays an indispensable role in global supply chains. Many of the products which look like smartphones and automobiles support our daily lives. Also, the factories driving such as industries across the board, actually rely on Japan's lesser-known "innovative technologies". This lecture introduces the innovative Japanese technologies that serve as the "unsung heroes" supporting global industry. Technologies inherently entail both benefits and risks, and it is crucial to clearly articulate both aspects. However, the presentation of benefits is often either inadequate or exaggerated. In the cases of genetic modification and nanotechnology, for example, there is a significant gap between the technology and its tangible societal benefits—such as increased food production and poverty alleviation in developing nations, or the introduction of medical diagnostic technologies that enable preventive care through simple, continuous monitoring and ultimately reduce healthcare costs. Technology developers often feel frustrated that the focus falls solely on risks while the benefits are overlooked. Conversely, because developers seek research funding, they may assert the effectiveness of their technologies in ways that could involve exaggeration. These are discussed by using examples.
Speaker

Murakami, Riichi
Emeritus Professor, Tokushima University, Japan
He graduated from Doctor Course, Graduate school of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1977 and got the Doctor of Engineering of Tokyo Institute of Technology (1977). He was Assistant Professor (1977-1984), Tokushima University, Research fellow of the University of Auckland New Zealand, Associate Professor (1987-1991), Full Professor (1991-2014) of Tokushima University, Japan. Professor (2014-20200, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, Professor (2020-2026) Chengdu University, China. His research is Fatigue Behavior of Metals modified by UNSM Method and Surface Modification Method, Friction and Wear of Advanced Materials. Electric Magnetic Wave Shielding Materials, Transparency Materials coating. Green Bio Composite Materials. He published SCI papers of 200 papers and is reviewer of International Journal of DIAMAT, EA, JALCOM, JEAC, MAC, MATPR, RPC, SCT and SNB.
πThe lecture will be delivered in English
Date: 30 Sep. 2026 (Wed.) , 12οΌ30-13οΌ20
Sign-in: starting from 12:00 PM.
Venue: International Building, Room 201 (IB-201)
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AdvisorsοΌ Ministry of Education
Organized by: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) Higher Education Sprout Project, Center for General Education