Implementing Systems thatGenerate Innovation in SocietyAfter working for the City of Yokohama on industry-academia-government collaboration in the medical and health fields, I was appointed Secretary General of the Yokohama Sports Medical Center. One week into my appointment, I found myself responding to COVID-19 and witnessed firsthand how institutional designs intended for emergencies did not function adequately under unforeseen circumstances. Through repeated trial and error in this unprecedented situation, I strongly felt the need to c o n c e p t u a l i z e a n d s y s t e m a t i z e a s u s t a i n a b l e f r a m e w o r k f o r industry-academia-government collaboration, which led me to pursue a doctoral program.At SHI, I was continually inspired by fellow working professionals from diverse public and private sector backgrounds, and I reaffirmed the value of connecting research to social implementation. Balancing work and research was not always easy, and there were times when my research did not progress as planned. Even during those times, I was greatly supported by encouraging guidance from my primary and secondary advisors, a psychologically safe research environment, and a flexible course structure that incorporated online learning.My doctoral research examined the evaluation and application of “redundancy” in promoting health innovation ecosystems and explored how to design institutions that enable innovation under conditions of high uncertainty. I believe that an organizational culture that tolerates failure and experimentation, along with trust-based human networks, underpins sustained innovation.Upon completion of the program, I founded a start-up to translate my research outcomes into practice and now work at the intersection of scholarship and practice to advance regional policy. Going forward, I will continue to engage in “systems building” that supports society, maintaining a dual focus on theory and practice.From Individual Care to CreatingSystems for Better HealthWhile working as a nurse, I often wondered why peopleʼ s opportunities in life could become limited simply because of illness or ageing. I gradually came to realize that these situations are shaped by social systems and environments, which led me to look beyond individual support and toward the broader “systems” that shape peopleʼ s lives. This desire to turn questions from my clinical experience into evidence that could benefit society led me to pursue my studies at SHI.Through discussions with classmates from diverse professional backgrounds and perspectives, I learned firsthand that even when discussing the same issue, it can be perceived in different ways. This experience helped me recognize my own thinking patterns and limitations and strengthened my ability to rethink and refine my research questions. Balancing full-time work with graduate studies has not been easy, but I have been supported by a flexible learning environment and faculty members who deeply understand the challenges faced by working students.During my masterʼ s program, my research focused on the relationship between functional ability and physical activity among community-dwelling older adults, as well as behaviour change using app-based data. In my current role, I support municipalities in the fields of long-term care prevention and frailty prevention. Focusing on the early stages of functional decline, I explore factors that enable individuals to maintain or improve their functional abilities.Social issues are complex and cannot be solved by one person alone. I value building evidence collaboratively with people from different areas of expertise and working together to create solutions that can make a meaningful impact.17 School of Health InnovationToshitaka ItohCourse Model: Advanced Research Professional / Advanced Policy MakerStudentAfter completing her undergraduate studies in nursing, she worked at a specialized cancer hospital and in home health care. She gained extensive experience ranging from medical management at home to end-of-life care, supporting individuals to continue living in their communities. Her decision to study at SHI marked a turning point in her career, leading her to transition into research and join a research institute in Tokyo. She is currently engaged in municipal support and human resource development in the fields of long-term care prevention and frailty prevention.Sumika KarasawaCourse Model: ResearcherGraduateHe has worked for the City of Yokohama for 31 years beginning in 1994, taking on a wide range of responsibilities including personnel administration, public finance, community and local economic develop-ment, and industry-academia-government collaboration in the medical and health fields. He also served as Executive Director of Finance Affairs Department, overseeing the cityʼs budget.After completing the doctoral program at SHI in 2025 and earning his Ph.D. in Public Health, he founded a company to support regional policy development. He is currently active as a special research fellow and university faculty member.
元のページ ../index.html#17