I had always dreamed of studying in a country other than Japan, which inspired me to pursue study abroad. I chose the United States because I wanted to learn more about its multicultural society, as well as African American history and education. Among the many universities in California, I chose a university near Los Angeles that offered convenient access to the city and other attractions, while also providing a comfortable climate with mild winters and plenty of sunny days.

I had some difficulty obtaining my visa, and there was a period when I was worried about whether I would actually be able to go abroad as planned.

Since I would be taking classes alongside local students, I focused mainly on improving my listening and speaking skills. Even so, I found that English spoken in everyday situations was much faster than I had expected, so I wish I had started working on my English skills more seriously at an earlier stage.

The campus was spacious and had a relaxed atmosphere. Many of the students were easygoing, and I often saw them studying outdoors.

I joined a Japanese American student club and participated in events organized by my residence hall.

There was also a “buddy program” that paired international students with local students, and I enjoyed exploring different cafés with my buddy. It was a great opportunity to meet local students and learn more about everyday life in California.

Many of the classes were discussion-based. One class involved writing papers based on poetry and films, which I found particularly interesting.

The exams themselves were not very different from those in Japan. However, during the exam period, the library was open 24 hours a day, and seeing so many students studying so hard and with such enthusiasm was very inspiring and motivated me to work harder as well.

I also traveled to New York during my study abroad experience, and comparing the two, I felt that California was more relaxed and blessed with abundant natural surroundings.

The ocean was close by, and there were so many sunny days that I found it an incredibly comfortable place to live. It was also easy to travel between the university and Los Angeles by train and other forms of public transportation. Disneyland Resort was nearby as well, so there were plenty of ways to enjoy my weekends to the fullest.

Preparing for exams was challenging. Some exams required us to read and analyze a wide range of materials and then write detailed answers.

During exam periods, I studied hard with my friends in the library and at our residence hall. Studying together helped us stay motivated and supported one another through the challenging periods.

I had many concerns about studying abroad as well, but looking back, I feel that what I learned and gained from the experience far outweighed those worries.

Studying abroad also gave me the opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds and broaden my perspective.

I was able to study abroad with the support of the staff at Sophia University’s Center for Global Education. If you are unsure whether to study abroad, I encourage you to take the first step by simply talking to the Center. It may be the beginning of an experience that opens up many new possibilities for you.　

High-energy nuclear collisions recreate extreme conditions similar to those in the early universe, producing quark–gluon plasma (QGP), a hot state of matter in which quarks and gluons are no longer confined inside protons and neutrons. While large systems such as lead–lead collisions can produce matter that behaves like a fluid, collective behavior has also been observed in smaller systems. Oxygen–oxygen collisions offer an intermediate setting, but whether the produced matter reaches local thermal equilibrium—and therefore behaves like a fluid—has remained unclear.

Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Professor Tetsufumi Hirano from the Faculty of Science and Technology, together with graduate student Mr. Naoya Ito, a second-year master’s student, quantitatively evaluated, for the first time, the extent to which matter produced in high-energy oxygen–oxygen (O + O) collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN reaches thermal equilibrium. They used the dynamical core–corona initialization (DCCI2) model, which separates matter that reaches local equilibrium into a “core” component from particles that remain nonequilibrated in a “corona” component.

Their findings were published in the journal Physical Review C on August 12, 2026.

The researchers modeled O + O collisions at a collision energy of 5.36 TeV and examined how the balance between the two components changes with the number of charged particles produced near the center of the collision. In the model, the core is treated as an equilibrated medium whose evolution can be described using relativistic hydrodynamics, whereas the corona represents particles that do not fully equilibrate. This approach allowed the team to quantify how much of the produced matter behaves collectively without assuming that the entire system reaches equilibrium.

The analysis revealed a clear transition as collision activity increased. When the charged-particle multiplicity at midrapidity exceeded about 20, the equilibrated core contribution became larger than the corona contribution. However, the corona did not disappear even in the most central O + O collisions; it continued to account for approximately 30% of the total hadron yield.

“We were able to quantitatively clarify, for the first time, how far quark–gluon matter produced in oxygen collisions approaches thermal equilibrium,” Professor Hirano said. The result indicates that O + O collisions occupy an intermediate regime between systems dominated by non-equilibrated particles and those in which collective, fluid-like behavior is dominant.

Further analysis of particle momentum showed that the core contribution generally dominates at lower momenta, while the corona becomes increasingly important at higher momenta. This transition occurs at higher momentum for heavier particles, reflecting the stronger boost they receive from the collective expansion of the equilibrated core. The researchers also examined strange-baryon production. Ratios of strange baryons to charged pions increased with collision multiplicity but remained below values expected for complete chemical equilibrium. This pattern provides additional evidence that a non-equilibrated component persists even as the equilibrated contribution grows.

“Understanding the degree of equilibration is essential because studies of oxygen nuclei and their possible alpha-cluster structure rely on the assumption that the produced matter behaves like a fluid,” Professor Hirano explained. The work therefore provides a foundation for interpreting particle distributions in O + O collisions as probes of nuclear structure, while also helping clarify the conditions under which QGP forms in smaller collision systems.

Overall, the findings show that relativistic hydrodynamics alone cannot fully describe O + O collisions because a substantial non-equilibrated component remains. The study provides a quantitative baseline for comparing future measurements from the LHC and RHIC and for investigating how QGP formation changes with system size. The researchers also aim to extend the framework to other intermediate systems, including neon–neon collisions, to explore how nuclear structure and equilibration shape the matter produced in high-energy collisions.

Professor Tetsufumi Hirano is a Professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, and Principal Investigator of the Hadron Physics Group. A theoretical physicist specializing in high-energy nuclear physics, he focuses on developing and applying hydrodynamic approaches to high-energy physics.

He earned his PhD from Waseda University. His research interests include high-energy heavy-ion collisions, quark–gluon plasma, and relativistic hydrodynamics. He is recognized as an influential scientist in the hydrodynamics community and received the Zimányi Medal for outstanding young theoretical researchers in 2011. He has authored 179 publications, which have received 6,348 citations.

This research was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific C Research, Project Number JP23K03395.

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Established with a Donation from Cardinal Frings of West Germany

The Beginnings of Legal Education at Sophia

Two Internationally Oriented Departments

The founding purpose of the Faculty of Law was “to foster individuals well versed in both theory and practice.” This objective has remained unchanged to the present day.

At the same time, Cardinal Frings’ initiative played a pivotal role in bringing the Faculty to fruition in Yotsuya, Tokyo. Looking back on the Faculty’s 25th anniversary, Professor Masao Ōki, then Dean of the Faculty of Law, remarked that its establishment was characterized from the very beginning by “international cooperation in both material and spiritual terms, and a vibrant international spirit.”

Against this historical and institutional backdrop, the Department of International Legal Studies was established in 1980, a unique initiative among Japanese faculties of law at the time. Building on Sophia University’s distinctive international character, the department placed international legal fields at the core of its curriculum, encompassing not only traditional areas such as public international law and private international law, but also legal issues arising from international relations. These were complemented by courses in foreign legal systems and international politics and economics, with the aim of preparing students for careers in Japanese diplomacy and international organizations such as the United Nations.

Then, in 1997, the Department of Legal Studies of the Global Environment was established. It was the first department in Japan to approach environmental issues on a global scale from a legal perspective. The department developed a pioneering curriculum offering a wide range of courses in environmental law in Japan and abroad, while addressing global environmental challenges from the perspectives of the natural sciences, economics, ethics, and other disciplines.

Another distinctive feature of the department was its active recruitment of international students from developing countries. One of its objectives was to equip these students with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to addressing environmental issues and strengthening environmental administration in their home countries.

With an inter-disciplinary approach between its three departments, the Faculty of Law enables students to take courses across departmental boundaries. This breadth and flexibility of learning will continue to expand the possibilities available to students as they shape their future paths.

The symposium was held to present the findings of the International Collaborative Research Project on the Visualization of Learning Outcomes in Higher Education, which has been led by Sophia University President Miki Sugimura as principal investigator since 2021. The rapid spread of generative AI is significantly transforming the way students engage in learning and research activities, including information retrieval, analytical methods, and the preparation of reports and academic papers. At the same time, educators are increasingly required to develop new approaches to supporting students throughout their learning processes and academic journeys.

As the fundamental purpose and role of higher education are being reconsidered in the age of AI, the symposium aimed to discuss what forms of learning universities should provide and to explore both the significance and challenges of the “deeper learning” promoted at Sophia University.

The second half of the symposium featured a panel discussion moderated by President Sugimura, joined by Professor Makoto Ikeda of the Department of English Literature, Faculty of Humanities. As Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Ikeda is leading the curriculum review scheduled for the next academic year and promoting deeper learning across the University. Building on the discussions earlier in the symposium, Professor Ikeda emphasized the need for a shift toward education that places greater importance on “authenticity.” He identified four distinctly human strengths that AI cannot replicate—Awareness, Agency, Action, and Affection—and emphasized the importance of authentic assessment that evaluates not only individual outcomes but also the processes of discussion and collaboration among students.

The panelists went on to engage in a wide-ranging discussion on topics including methods for assessing learning processes, feasibility and cost, and the potential for utilizing AI in education. Numerous questions were also submitted by both in-person and online participants, and the speakers responded to each question thoughtfully and in detail.

The symposium highlighted a shared recognition that while advances in AI are bringing profound changes to the nature of higher education, the importance of uniquely human capabilities—including creativity, critical thinking, and dialogue with others—is becoming greater than ever. How can universities harness the potential of AI while continuing to foster forms of learning that are uniquely human? For participants, the symposium provided a valuable opportunity to consider the future of higher education and the role universities should play in the age of AI.

Yukata Day was established to provide international students with an opportunity to experience Japanese culture while fostering interaction among students, faculty, and staff through spending the day together in yukata. First launched in 2013 as part of the University’s 100th Anniversary commemorative celebrations, the event marked its 13th year in 2026.

This year’s theme, “Spreading a Moment of Japanese Elegance at Sophia,” reflected the hope that members of Sophia’s diverse community would come together in yukata and share the beauty of Japanese summer traditions. The event was planned and organized by nexnect, a student extracurricular organization, which coordinated a variety of activities across the campus.

Outside Building No. 6, a traditional festival area featured complimentary games such as target shooting and ring toss, attracting enthusiastic crowds eager to win prizes. The New Swing Jazz Orchestra entertained visitors with lively performances, adding to the festive atmosphere. Another popular attraction was a complimentary shaved ice giveaway organized by SSIC, where students cooled off from the summer heat while enjoying conversations with friends.

The University’s Calligraphy Club and Tea Ceremony Club also offered hands-on cultural experiences. International students dressed in yukata had the opportunity to practice Japanese calligraphy and learn the etiquette of the tea ceremony, deepening their appreciation of Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

The co-chairs of Sophia Yukata Day 2026, Kazuki Ikariishi and Yuki Aso of nexnect, reflected on this year’s celebration.

“Blessed with beautiful summer weather, this year’s Yukata Day welcomed many members of the Sophia community, who enjoyed spending the day together in colorful yukata. Through new collaborations, we expanded the range of activities, enhanced nexnect’s signature programs, and introduced refreshed photo spots, creating new experiences for both first-time and returning participants. We sincerely thank everyone who supported this year’s event. Looking ahead to Yukata Day’s 15th anniversary, we will continue working to make next year’s celebration even more memorable.”

Kazuki Ikariishi
Co-Chair, Sophia Yukata Day 2026
Third-year student, Department of Theology, Faculty of Theology

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the students, faculty, and staff who participated in this year’s Yukata Day. It was wonderful to see the campus filled with people wearing colorful yukata. One of the new highlights this year was the wind chime display in the central courtyard, which attracted far more visitors than we had anticipated. We hope to continue introducing new programs so that even more members of the Sophia community can enjoy Yukata Day in the years ahead. Finally, I would like to thank all the student organizations, University staff, and fellow nexnect members whose support made this event possible.”

Yuki Aso
Co-Chair, Sophia Yukata Day 2026
Second-year student, Department of Information and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Farai Maringa was among four members of Sophia University’s Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GENV) who travelled to Cebu for the 2026 International Conference on Resource Sustainability (icRS). The delegation also included Professor Akemi Ori, Dr. Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor, Marlen Kwamboka Mochoge (GENV master’s student and JICA scholar). Together, the group delivered five research presentations, chaired two parallel sessions, and returned with an award.

The conference brings together researchers from the natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering around a shared question: how should resources of all kinds, physical, biological, and those society tends to lose track of, like waste, be managed sustainably? The 2026 edition drew participants from universities and institutions across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with sponsorship from the journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling (2024 Impact Factor: 10.9) and six other partner journals.

Maringa’s presentation titled “Waste Separation Systems in Central Tokyo: Evaluating Linguistic and Structural Barriers Faced by Foreign Residents” was delivered in the Environmental Behaviour session on Monday, June 15. The study focused on Tokyo’s 23 special wards, combining quantitative surveys of both foreign and Japanese residents with qualitative interviews of ward officials in three high-density wards: Shinjuku, Taito, and Minato.

The findings shifted the blame away from individual residents. Key barriers identified included:

• Non-standardized rules across wards, cited by ward officials themselves as a primary compliance hurdle
• A broken information chain: over 50% of foreign respondents reported never receiving a formal waste separation orientation, with some never receiving guidelines at all due to poor communication from building managers
• Specific category confusion, particularly for oversized garbage requiring Japanese-language phone booking, and the distinction between recyclables and combustible waste

Maringa applied the Cultural Theory of Risk to map how different residents approach the system, identifying four distinct compliance patterns: hierarchists (rule-followers), egalitarians (community-adapters), individualists (independent problem-solvers), and fatalists (those overwhelmed and disengaged). The icRS 2026 award committee noted that this framework extends well beyond Tokyo to any city managing waste systems across diverse communities.

The Outstanding Young Scientist Oral Presentation Award was presented by the icRS organizing committee at the end of the icRS 2026 to recognize early-career researchers producing work of exceptional quality. The award is designed to encourage the next generation of scholars in resource sustainability. The award ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 17, the final day of the conference.

Reflecting on the award, Maringa commented:

This recognition affirms the importance of centering foreign residents in urban sustainability research. Waste separation is often treated as a technical problem, but it is fundamentally a governance and communication challenge. I hope this work contributes to making Tokyo’s environmental systems more proficient in regard to the broken communication lines and offers a framework that other cities can adapt.

The Sophia University group delivered a total of five presentations across Monday, June 15, spanning three continents and a wide range of resource sustainability challenges:

• Marlen Kwamboka Mochoge (GENV Master’s Student, JICA Scholar): Sustainable end-of-life management of solar photovoltaic waste in Kenya, the Solar Energy session chaired by Prof. Ori
• Dr. Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor (Assistant Professor at GENV): Urban sprawl, functional centrality, and traffic externalities in Yaoundé’s satellite towns, Cameroon, in the Urban Systems session
• Farai Maringa (GENV PhD Student, MEXT Scholar): Waste separation barriers for foreign residents in Central Tokyo in the Environmental Behavior session
• Professor Akemi Ori (Professor at GENV): Toward a governance framework for sustainable packaging systems in Japan in the Sustainable Packaging session
• Dr. Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor (Assistant Professor at GENV): Assessing progress toward a circular economy in Cameroon and Ghana in the Circular Economy session, which he also chaired

Beyond presenting their own research, Prof. Ori and Dr. Longfor each chaired a parallel session on Monday, June 15, guiding the discussion, managing the floor, and fielding questions across a set of papers from researchers around the world. A review of the full conference program confirms that the three Africa-focused studies presented by the Sophia group were the only presentations addressing African countries or contexts across the entire icRS 2026 conference, underscoring the Graduate School’s commitment to research on the African continent.

Out of the five studies presented by the Sophia University group at icRS 2026, three have been submitted through the conference’s journal partnership channel and are currently under peer review. Partner journals include Resources, Conservation & Recycling; the Journal of Environmental Management; the Journal of Industrial Ecology; Sustainable Production and Consumption; and the Journal of Environmental Informatics, among others. The findings of these studies will be shared on the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies’ website upon acceptance and publication.

Maringa is continuing doctoral research at GENV under the supervision of Professor Akemi Ori and Dr. Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor, building on the momentum from the ICRS 2026.

For further information about the icRS 2026 conference, visit: https://www.icrsconf.com/icrs_2026.html 

Founded in 1919, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service is the leading graduate school in the field of international relations and is highly regarded in areas such as international security, diplomacy, international politics, international development, and political economy.

Located in Washington, D.C., at the center of international politics, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service provides students with direct exposure to international relations and security through its proximity to major institutions and regular engagement with national security leaders from the United States and around the world.

Within the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, the Security Studies Program (SSP) , offers a Master of Arts in Security Studies, a multidisciplinary degree that prepares students for a career in defense and security. SSP professors mentor and educate the next generation of national security leaders, diplomats, intelligence analysts, and scholars, equipping them to think critically and respond responsibly to the complex national and international security challenges of the 21st century.

Through the Special Admissions Program, our students who meet the prescribed requirements can aim to enter the Security Studies Program through a system different from the general application process.

For the up-to-two scholarship recipients who are admitted directly from a Sophia undergraduate program to the SSP Program, SSP will award a scholarship equivalent to a 40% deduction of the currently published full-time Georgetown tuition rate for the Program. The scholarship will not be applied to Georgetown University fees and SSP Program fees, which the student will be required to pay in full.

With this program expansion, opportunities to advance to a world-class education and research environment will further increase for students wishing to pursue graduate studies in international relations.

The Special Admission Program for Overseas Graduate Schools is a system that allows our students preferential review and certain tuition fee reductions when they apply to prominent overseas graduate schools. We currently have agreements with institutions such as Georgetown University, Columbia University, Boston College, and Hult International Business School.

Until now, we have implemented the Special Admission Program with Georgetown University for the Department of Government and the McCourt School of Public Policy, and this time SSP will be newly added as an additional destination in addition to these.