The Open Talk Series, hosted at the Ichigaya Campus of Hosei University in Tokyo, brings together scholars, practitioners, students and the general public to discuss topics ranging from culture and creativity to social innovation and emerging technologies.
From ancient stargazing to modern space exploration, humanity has long looked to the skies in search of meaning, inspiration, and discovery. This session explores how the mysteries of the universe continue to shape the way we think, create, and imagine the future.
The session opens with a short talk by Dr Hippo Yam, a space technology expert working on lunar and planetary exploration missions, followed by a cross-disciplinary discussion connecting science, art, imagination, and human curiosity.
📅 Date: Saturday, 27 June 2026
🕒 Time: 15:00–16:30
📍Venue: Multimedia Studio 0300, 3F Boissonade Tower, Ichigaya Campus, Hosei University
🌟 English session
🌟 Free admission
🌟 Open to students and the public
Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gFM5rqZA
9 May 2026 | Presentation, Discussion and Workshop
Kaz Matamura explored how improvisation can strengthen awareness, listening, adaptability, and everyday communication beyond performance. The discussion expanded into themes of instinct, authenticity, and what makes interactions feel natural and alive. The session concluded with a fun and highly interactive workshop, where participants experienced simple improv exercises together.
18 April 2026 | Presentation and Discussion
The session opened with research insights from Kazuyuki Nomura on language learning, followed by a cross-disciplinary discussion exploring what language learning reveals about how we see ourselves, relate to others, and make sense of the world. Moving beyond practical usefulness, the conversation reflected on language as a way of thinking, connecting, and experiencing life differently.
7 March 2026 | Presentation and Discussion
This session explored why many well-intentioned social innovation initiatives struggle to deliver lasting impact, and how projects can be designed to better serve the communities they aim to support.
20 February 2026 | Book Talk
This talk introduces Meiji Graves in Happy Valley (2024), which uncovers the lives of Japanese who lived and died in Hong Kong during the Meiji era, offering new insights into the historical ties between the two places.
23 January 2026 | Presentation and Discussion
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly capable of composing music, this talk explores how it challenges traditional ideas of originality, authorship, and creativity.
21 December 2025 | Screening and Discussion
“Song of the Exile”, a 1990 film by award-winning Hong Kong director Ann Hui, follows a young woman’s border-crossing journey that evolves into a profound return to memory, language, and inheritance. Following the screening, we engaged in a dialogue on identity, memory, and belonging, exploring the film’s reflections on both personal and collective histories.