As the 2025 fiscal year begins, CiRA enters its 16th year. On the afternoon of April 3, CiRA members gathered in the auditorium for the annual kickoff meeting.

Director Jun Takahashi delivered a message to CiRA members. This year, he emphasized the importance of taking on challenges, particularly for graduate students. He acknowledged that many students have various concerns, such as the fear of their experiments failing. He continued, "How do you make sure you never fail an experiment? The answer is simple: Don't do any. If you don't try, you cannot fail. Of course, it also means no discoveries. Without risks, there can be no progress."

Takahashi declared CiRA's full support for young researchers taking on challenges and encouraged students to persistently tackle "difficult but meaningful questions."

Additionally, three newly appointed faculty members — Program-Specific Junior Associate Professor Toshikazu Araoka (appointed February 1), Assistant Professor Chikako Okubo (appointed March 1), and Program-Specific Assistant Professor Taro Okunomiya (appointed April 1) —were introduced, and each shared their aspirations.

Jun Takahashi

(From left) Toshikazu Araoka, Chikako Okubo and Taro Okunomiya