Message from the Dean

The Graduate School of Integrated Studies, to be established in April 2026, is founded on the principle of "cultivating individuals who can proactively and collaboratively engage in problem-solving and play an active role in creating 'integrated knowledge,' that is, solving human and social problems that cannot be solved by single specialized knowledge alone." The reason why "integrated knowledge" is enclosed in parentheses here is because it is a quotation. Our graduate school has adopted the words of others as its own philosophy, and has chosen to speak through quotation, without trying to hide it. Of course, we all have no choice but to speak in the words of others in the first place, so there is nothing inherently good or bad about that. The problem lies beyond that. How should we deal with this word of others, "integrated knowledge"?
Generally, there are two things to do when quoting. One is to find the source of the quote, and the other is to ask questions in your own words about the words of the person who quoted you. The source of the quote can be easily looked up. The 2020 amendment to the Basic Law on Science and Technology incorporated the humanities and social sciences, which had previously been excluded from the scope of "science and technology," and made "creation of innovation" one of its pillars. The 6th Basic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation, approved by the Cabinet the following year in 2021, advocated for the creation and utilization of "integrated knowledge" through the fusion of knowledge from the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Furthermore, the "Basic Concepts and Strategic Promotion Measures for 'Integrated Knowledge' (Interim Summary)," published the year after that in 2022, defined "integrated knowledge" as "the gathering of diverse 'knowledge' and the creation of 'intellectual vitality' that generates new value," and stated that Japan's "winning strategy" can be found in the progress of science and technology and the creation of innovation made possible by "integrated knowledge."
"Integrated knowledge" was therefore a command. It was Tatsuo Hayashi, during the war, who astutely observed that our language consists of "descriptive words" and "commanding words," and following his example, "integrated knowledge" is a commanding word. However, we will not question the validity of this here. Every descriptive word is simultaneously a commanding word, and the language of action always tries to imitate the language of reason. The question remains, however, left to each of us. How should we confront the demand (command) of our time to be integrated in knowledge?
The answer will vary from person to person, but how about this as an example? Think of "comprehensive knowledge" as something like a "novel" in which various characters speak in various voices. Because it's just a novel, there's no need to use one character's words as a shield to "defeat" another character, nor is there any need to deliberately banish a supporting character. There are strong characters and weak characters, who form alliances and are antagonistic towards each other, yet together they form a cohesive whole. What is required of a good reader is simply to try to hear the various voices within the novel. Or, while being captivated by the voices of other fascinating characters, try to subtly slip in your own voice, or perhaps yet another voice.
This is the exact opposite of authoritarianism, which pledges allegiance to one voice and seeks to suppress all other voices. As the Palestinian-American critic Edward Said said, "A novel must have a strong skepticism towards the idea that the authority of one voice, or several voices, is self-sufficient." I believe this kind of skepticism is what is required of us, who gather in graduate schools that proclaim "integrative knowledge."