Transforming Futures: The 30th Seminar on Building a Better Society through Mathematics

On April 22nd, 2026, at 19:30, the 30th installment of the inspirational seminar series entitled “Thinking About Your Future” will be held via Zoom, featuring Professor Atsushi Hirota. This 90-minute session aims to enlighten high school students and their parents about the critical role of mathematics in fostering a safer and more inclusive society.

Hosted by Nagase Corporation, which manages Tohshin High School and Tohshin Satellite Prep, this monthly seminar series seeks to ignite dreams and aspirations within high school students. The seminar is open to all, even those not currently attending Tohshin, and participation is free of charge.

A Glimpse into the Seminar

The “Thinking About Your Future” seminar provides students with insights into new career opportunities that have emerged in our digital age. Each session features industry leaders who are creating new value in society, streamed live on Zoom for 60 to 90 minutes, complete with lectures and Q&A sessions accessible nationwide. Previous speakers have included data scientists, white hat hackers, and machine learning engineers, all sharing their experiences to inspire students to broaden their horizons and discover their dreams.

Students facing questions like, “What do I want to do in the future?” or “Why am I studying?” will find this seminar particularly beneficial.

Details of the 30th Seminar

- Topic: Building a Better Society through the Power of Mathematics
- Speaker: Professor Atsushi Hirota from Omron Social Solutions
- Date and Time: April 22, 2026, from 19:30 to 21:00
- Format: Online live stream via Zoom, free of charge
- Target Audience: High school students and their parents (Anyone with a high school-level understanding is welcomed)
- Pre-registration Required: Details and registration can be found on Tohshin.com

A Profound Perspective from Professor Hirota

Professor Atsushi Hirota, an alumnus of Kyoto Institute of Technology, emphasizes the transformative power of mathematics. Reflecting on his own educational journey, he recalls the awe he felt upon realizing how mathematics underpins tools like Google Search and connects to real-world scenarios such as the parabolas encountered in high school math.

His career has been driven by a commitment to apply mathematics to significant societal challenges, including congestion forecasting for public transport and traffic systems. His work at Omron has garnered accolades, including a distinguished paper award from the Japan Society for Railway Cybernetics.

Hirota believes that mathematics can be a robust instrument for change within society. He encourages students to reconsider their perception of studying, asserting that knowledge not only facilitates personal development but also enhances societal safety and efficiency.

During the seminar, participants will gain insights into how mathematics contributes to the community, coupled with guidance on maintaining a long-term perspective while facing current challenges.

Voices from Previous Participants

Feedback from past attendees reinforces the seminar's positive impact:

- “The insights from the speaker regarding their personal journey motivated me to take concrete steps toward my own goals” (Kanagawa, High School 1).
- “I once thought the job market is daunting. This seminar has given me a more hopeful outlook” (Tokyo, High School 2).
- “I realized that success in engineering requires a broad understanding of all subjects, not just math and science” (Nara, High School 3).
- “After hearing the professor, I've decided to tackle challenges I once avoided” (Gunma, High School 1).

The “Thinking About Your Future” seminar series is just one of many efforts by Nagase Corporation, which has been dedicated to shaping independent and self-reliant individuals since its establishment in 1976. As Japan’s largest private educational network, they continue to evolve in providing comprehensive educational experiences from early childhood through adulthood.

Join us for this exciting opportunity to explore how mathematics can not only change your life but potentially transform the world around us!