"New Era", Annual Presentation of the Department of International Communication
“Have you ever imagined a world without time?” Or perhaps,
“What would it be like to travel to Mars on a space shuttle for a school field trip?”—These seemingly boundless ideas were the visions of the future presented by students at this year’s annual presentation.
Annual Presentation of the Department of International Communication
The Department of International Communication held its annual presentation last week. Twenty-three international students delivered presentations under the theme “New Era,” each sharing their own vision of the future. Some explored new ways of life brought about by technological advancement, while others focused on the potential costs hidden behind progress, offering diverse and thought-provoking perspectives.
The Department of International Communication provides a learning environment exclusively for international students, with a strong focus on Japanese-language communication skills, adaptation to Japanese culture, and practical abilities required for future academic advancement and employment. The annual presentation serves as an important platform where students integrate what they have learned with their own viewpoints and express their ideas through the Japanese language.
Exploring Different Aspects of a New Era
During the presentation, students examined the concept of a “new era” from various perspectives, including economics, technology, society, and space. The following are excerpts from some of the presentation topics:
・A Secondhand Market for Memories
・Life Underwater
・A World Without Time
・Communication Chips
・Field Trip to Outer Space
・Preventing Sports Injuries Using AI Technology
・The Cost of Evolution
“A Secondhand Market for Memories”
Among these, the presentation titled A Secondhand Market for Memories posed a compelling question: if exchanging memories became possible and legal in the future, could it help people who are suffering from psychological trauma? The student then explained that although trading memories might eliminate the root causes of trauma, replacing memories does not guarantee the duplication of emotions or personal perceptions. Whether people should erase memories to escape the past, or choose to confront and overcome their difficulties remains an important issue for reflection.
“Communication Chips”
In the presentation titled Communication Chips, students envisioned a future in which people are implanted with chips from birth, enabling direct communication without language barriers. For international students who frequently face linguistic and cultural challenges while living abroad, this concept reflects a strong desire to be understood and highlights the essential role of communication in modern society.
“Life Underwater”
Another presentation, Life Underwater, explored the possibility of humans living beneath the sea in the future. People would reside in underwater homes, travel by submarine trains, and enjoy a level of convenience comparable to life on land. As living environments change, new forms of sports, dietary cultures, and even new types of pets may emerge. This vision also encourages a reevaluation of the relationship between humanity, the ocean, and the Earth’s environment. Returning to the ocean—the origin of life—may represent a future that is closer to nature.
Looking Toward the Future
Through this annual presentation, students demonstrated remarkable imagination and a strong awareness of social issues related to the future. While these ideas may not be realized in the near future, the future itself does not simply arrive on its own—it is shaped by countless thoughts, choices, and actions of each and every individual. We hope that all students will continue to nurture the critical thinking, judgment, and expressive abilities they displayed, and find their own place within the futures they envision.
