1985

Graduated from Waseda University’s School of Commerce

Joined Hitachi’s Home Appliances Division

1990

In charge of sales & marketing for Hitachi’s Home Electronics and Business Equipment for the U.S. market.

1998

Returned to Hitachi, Ltd. Headquarters.

2007

Appointed as the #1 Corporate Business Creator for Hitachi, Ltd.

2009

Established the Brain Science Business Unit based on the industrial application of brain science at Hitachi’s new business development headquarters, holding the position of Unit Chief.

2014

Business unit changed to Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation

Affiliation:

Director, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC)
TOHOKU UNIVERSITY

Research Themes:

Functional Brain Imaging

Development of Brain Functions

Dementia Prevention

 

Career

2017-present

Chief Technology Officer, NeU Corporation

2016-present

Executive Director, Smart-Aging Research Center (S.A.R.C.)

2014-present

Director, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC)
Tohoku University

2009-2016

Director, Smart Ageing International Research Center (IDAC)
Tohoku University

2008-2011

Distinguished Professor, Tohoku University

2008-present

Professor, Div. of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (IDAC)
Tohoku University

2006-present

Professor, Dept. of Functional Brain Imaging (IDAC)
Tohoku University

2001

Professor at New Industry Creation Hatchery Center
Tohoku University

1998

Lecturer at the

Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC)
Tohoku University

1993

Teaching Assistant at IDAC, Tohoku University

1991

Guest researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden

1989

Graduated from the Tohoku University’s Graduate School of Medicine (MD)

1985

Graduated from Tohoku University’s School of Medicine

 

Research Topics

Industry-University Cooperative R&D (1)

We have succeeded in developing and spreading the use of a new system to improve the cognitive function of senior citizens suffering from senile dementia, in addition to healthy people, by applying our findings of basic functional brain imaging research data (Kawashima et al. 2005). The system to improve the cognitive function of dementia patients, called “learning therapy”, is currently used in more than 400 facilities for the care of more than 6000 patient as of 2006. Furthermore, the economic effect of this system has been estimated to reduce costs of nursing care insurance by 100,000 yen per person annually (Organization of the Learning Therapy). The system has also been proven to be effective in preventing dementia (Uchida & Kawashima 2008), and is utilized for the welfare of senior citizens in 56 municipalities, including Sendai City, Shinagawa Ward, Yokohama City and Gifu Prefecture.

Industry-University Cooperative R&D (2)

Through innovative brain function imaging techniques and industry-university cooperative R&D, we have succeeded in developing a new industry-specific sector with the concept of “train your brain”. As a result, we have created educational materials in collaboration with publishing, IT and entertainment industries to help improve brain functions. According to an estimate by a private “think tank” (Yano Research Institute), it has been estimated that a new market worth 23 billion yen was created in 2006 as a result of industry-university cooperative efforts. For such activities and efforts, Dr. Kawashima was ranked among the Top 50 Innovators in the 2006 New Media (by Producers Guild of America New Media Council) and was awarded a grand prize in the annual Buzzwords Contest and the Trend Award.

Industry-University Cooperative R&D (3)

Together with the world-renowned Hitachi company, an ultra-small NIRs system was recently developed. This system can visualize not only brain activities, but also the quality of communicative activities which has been an almost impossible task to perform thus far. As a result of this ground-breaking system, we have since been investigating neuro-marketing research using this ultra-small NIRs system.

Social awareness-raising activities

Through many of Dr. Kawashima’s publications for the general public, we significantly raised awareness about the knowledge of brain functions throughout society. Since 2006, Dr. Kawashima has been writing weekly articles for Mainichi Shimbun (a nationwide newspaper company) regarding the topic of “Train Your Brain”. Moreover, he has also written a series of articles in local newspapers including the Kahoku Shimpo, Hokkaido Shimbun and Chu-nichi Shimbun. As a direct result for his endless efforts to raise awareness, Dr. Kawashima was awarded the Nice Step Researcher Award in 2006 from the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTP) of the Ministry Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). In December of the same year, he was also awarded the 9th Japan PR Grand Prize from a private company.
 

Social Activities

Editorial memberships in academic journals

2009-onward
Cognitive Computation (Springer)

2006-onward                  
Social Neuroscience (Psychology Press)

2005-onward                   
Current Medical Imaging Review (Bentham Science Publishers)

2004-2008                        
Brain and Neurology (Igaku Shoin)

2004-onward                   
Neuroinformatics (Humana Press)

2004-2008                        
Neuroimage (Academic Press)

 

Social Action Programs

2017 – onward
Project Expert & Consultant to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

2008 – 2009
Distinguished Advisor to Temasek Polytecnic, Singapore

2008 – 2009
Vice-chairman of the Council for Education, Miyagi Prefecture

2008 – onward
Chairman of the Miyagi Master Examination Promotion Conference

2008 – 2009
Expert Panel Member of the Gender Equality Meeting “Harmony between work & daily life”

2007 – onward
Advisor to the Education Administration of Ritto City, Gifu Prefecture

2005 – onward
Advisor to the Education Administration of Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture

2005 – onward
Traffic Safety Education Promotion Committee for the Elderly Member (Japan Automobile Assoc.)

2005 – onward
Director, Organization of the Learning Therapy

2005 – onward
Researcher in science and technology, NISTEP & MEXT

2004 – 2006
Sub-committee member on “Social Technology”
(Institute of Future Technology)

2004 – 2005
Japanese Language and Culture Committee Member, National Cultural Council

2003 – onward
Board member, Japan Mathematics Association

Visit: Kawashima Laboratory, IDAC, Tohoku University

Affiliation:

Tohoku University Venture Partners

Affiliation:

Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation