From the Director
Motohiko Miyachi, Ph.D.
Director of Waseda Institute for Sport Sciences
Since its establishment in 2006 as a research institute within the Faculty of Sport Sciences, the Waseda Institute for Sport Sciences has advanced research across a broad range of disciplines. Through collaboration with universities, research institutions, businesses, government agencies, and sports organizations in Japan and abroad, the Institute has shared the benefits of its research with society. Our mission is to open up new possibilities in sport science by building on the research foundations and collaborative networks established over the years.
Waseda University’s founding principles are the independence of scholarship, the practical application of scholarship, and the fostering of good citizens. The Institute’s activities are grounded in these principles and in the educational philosophy of the School of Sport Sciences, which seeks to enhance the value of sport and contribute to people’s health and well-being. Respecting researchers’ intellectual freedom and academic autonomy, we take an integrated approach to generating original knowledge, sharing the benefits of research with society, and nurturing the next generation. By bringing together insights from the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences, we believe we can address a wide range of challenges, from enhancing athletic performance and promoting health to supporting cultural and social development through sport.
An important part of this effort is to strengthen university-wide collaboration in alignment with Waseda University’s Global Research Center (GRC) initiative. GRC aims to create value that contributes to social transformation by advancing and integrating original and emerging research from across the University. In keeping with this vision, we will bring research findings and ideas in sport science into dialogue with expertise across the University. Through collaborative research across faculties and disciplines, exchanges with researchers in Japan and abroad, and partnerships among industry, government, and academia, we aim to create opportunities for individual projects to open up new fields of inquiry and lay the foundations for international research hubs.
The driving force behind these activities is the intellectual curiosity and spirit of inquiry of each faculty member and graduate student. A key role of the Institute is to provide strong support for their research while respecting their individual expertise and diverse research interests. To fulfill this responsibility, we will expand opportunities for dialogue and exchange that foster new research ideas. We will also support researchers in developing collaborative projects, securing external research funding, and disseminating their findings internationally. We place particular importance on creating an environment in which graduate students can pursue their research independently, take on new challenges, and grow through discussions with researchers from Japan and around the world. By broadening these opportunities, we aim to nurture the next generation of researchers who will advance sport science.
Sport has the power to unlock human potential, connect people, and enrich both individual lives and society. Our role is to explore that potential through scientific inquiry and share the knowledge gained with society. We aspire to be an institute where researchers support one another in taking on new challenges and where their work contributes to the health and well-being of people around the world. We look forward to your continued support and warmly welcome your participation in our research activities.
21 September, 2026