On Tuesday October 29, 2024, we were delighted to hold the Symposium for the Alliance for Brain Science, “How can brain scientists help athletes perform well? - A Venture into the Universe of the Athlete’s Brain from a Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective” at the Fukutake Hall, UTokyo, to inaugurate the collaborative partnership between the University of Tokyo, Teikyo University, and the National Research and Development Agency (RIKEN).
This symposium was the first step in commemorating the alliance to introduce the significance and future plans of the "Athlete Cognitive Neuroscience Program" launched by the International Research Center for Neurointelligence at the University of Tokyo (WPI-IRCN), Teikyo University Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization (Teikyo U. ACRO), and the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (RIKEN-CBS) to the general public and related parties, as well as to hear the opinions of those involved in sports.
It began with opening remarks by the executive director/vice presidents of the three institutions, followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the Alliance for Brain Science.
The symposium was divided into two parts. In Part 1, researchers from the three institutions who are seeking to unravel the mysteries of the brain gave talks exploring the workings of the brain and the mechanisms behind the yips, using approaches based on their respective fields of expertise.
Part 2 featured a special dialogue between a UTokyo researcher and two professional golfers who have experienced the yips, with the full support of the Japan Golf Association. The program concluded with a special lecture by a former head coach of the Teikyo University Rugby Football Club, famous for having led his team to nine consecutive victories in the National University Rugby Championship.
Opening remarks on the establishment of the Alliance for Brain Science
 SAITO Nobuhito Executive Vice President, UTokyo |
 OKINAGA Hiroko Executive Vice President, Teikyo U |
 MIYAZONO Kohei Executive Director, RIKEN |
Signing of the MoU on Academic Exchange for the Promotion of the Alliance for Brain Science
 Left: KAGEYAMA Ryoichiro Director, RIKEN CBS Center: HENSCH Takao Right: ASASHIMA Makoto |
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Lectures
 “Motor Control and Auditory Feedbac in Birdsong” OKANOYA Kazuo Professor Division of Complex System and Cognitive Sciences Teikyo U ACRO |
 “Brain Mechanisms for Stabilization and Development of Aacquired Skills” SHIBATA Kazuhisa Team leader, Lab for Human Cognition and Learning RIKEN CBS |
 “Neuroscientific Strategy to Overcome Yips” WATANABE Takamitsu Principal Investigator & Associate Professor UTokyo WPI-IRCN |
Special Dialogue “How we have struggled over yips: cases of professional golfers”
 OHE Kaori (Professional golfer) NAKAJIMA Kazuya (Professional golfer) Moderator |
 Professional golfer Kaori Ohe demonstrates the moment when the yips occur |
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Special Lecture “Approach to the Diversifying Student Consciousness”
 IWADE Masayuki Director of the Sports Bureau Deputy Director & Professor of Institute of Sports Science and Medicine Former Head Coach of the Rugby FC, Teikyo U |
This symposium, which brought together athletes, researchers, educators and sports professionals, and many members of the general public, was a great success, with the venue filled to capacity. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated and supported this milestone event
