2025 Activity Report vol.2:Kwansei Gakuin University

This collaborative initiative originated from the Sakura Science Program of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). In September 2024, six students and their mentor, Dr. Smriti TIWARI from Biyani Girls College, visited Japan. That encounter led us to an invitation to participate in BICON2024, the Indo-Japan academic exchange held in Jaipur in December.

During the visit, we witnessed firsthand the severe air pollution affecting many parts of India. As the country experiences rapid economic growth, air quality has become a serious concern, with schools being forced to close when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches critical levels. According to the State of Global Air 2024 report, air pollution causes approximately 8.1 million deaths annually worldwide, with children under five being the most vulnerable. When I expressed my aspiration as a catalyst researcher to "make the sky over India clean," Smriti, an educator, responded, "let's work together to protect the smiles and health of children." Her words became the foundation for this international collaborative research.

As part of the Sakura Science Program: Joint Research Activities, we welcomed Smriti and seven students from Amity University and Biyani Girls College to Japan from July 21 to August 1, 2025. During their 12-day stay, they joined my laboratory at Kwansei Gakuin University, where they synthesized and evaluated automotive catalysts. They also visited HORIBA's Shiga E-Harbor and Daihatsu's Ikeda Plant, where they observed industrial practices designed to improve air quality.

The exchange program progressed smoothly thanks to prior online interactions. In addition to students from Tanaka's lab, two senior international students from Biyani Girls College helped with the preparations, including preparing vegetarian meals, to ensure the guests had a comfortable stay. Three of the guests celebrated their birthdays in Japan, and surprise parties were organized by the host students.

A particularly memorable event was a cultural exchange visit to Omi-hachiman, where the Sakura Science Participants joined Renga no Ouchi Kodomo Shokudo ("The Brick House Children's Kitchen") to cook Indian Curry together with local volunteers and families. In total, about 50 people—including 23 children—shared Indian curry and Sweets around the table. This experience made us all realize that language, nationality and age have no barriers and create true connections between people.

Ms. Yoshimi Maeda later said, "This encounter began with one phone call, but it meant so much more. Cooking and eating together helped us truly understand each other. Now when I see news about floods in North India, I feel deeply concerned. India feels close to my heart."

Smriti also reflected, "The first Japanese word I learned was konnichiwa. I've hosted many Japanese guests in India, but this time I lived inside Japanese culture. This visit was a deeply touching experience. The kindness, hospitality, and care extended to us were remarkable. Cooking for little children at the Children's Kitchen was especially heartwarming. By a beautiful coincidence, three of us—including myself—celebrated our birthdays in Japan, making the experience even more special. In addition, the lectures and meetings with professors, along with the opportunities for students to explore prospective labs for higher studies, added great academic value to our journey. This experience has strengthened not only professional ties but also bonds of friendship, warmth, and mutual respect that I will cherish forever."

Following the program, students from both countries reunited at BICON2025 in Jaipur in September 2025, reaffirming their enduring friendship and shared commitment to improving air quality through science and education.

Science brought us together, but compassion made it meaningful. This project exemplifies how young researchers from Japan and India can work together to address global environmental challenges. Through shared learning and mutual understanding, they are nurturing hope for a cleaner and healthier future for all children.