The intellectual achievements of the hundred years of the 20th century were remarkable. The amazing advances in science and technology made human life much richer than ever before. However, despite the increase in material abundance, there has been, in many cases, a decrease in human happiness and fulfillment. It is now clear that if the cold intellect is not balanced with a sensitivity to human well-being, it will be very difficult to promote the total happiness of humankind. “Kansei” means “sensitivity” and it also may be defined as “the functioning of the human heart in all its aspects, over and above the intellect”. “Fukushi” is “human well-being”. In the 21st century, the need to balance intelligence and human sensitivity will be paramount, and this is the starting point and rationale for the development and application of Kansei Fukushi at the Research Institute.

The Institute has being pursuing the project of “New Academic Frontier” (MEXT), in which many research members from within and outside the University are participating.
The 1st term(1998-2003): Interdisciplinary life science research on the relationship between human sensitivity and human environment.
The 2nd term(2004-2009): Establishment of human environmental systems for health improvement based on measurement of stimulation involving the five senses.
The main themes of both the first and the second term focus on health care, on which much weight is becoming to be given in the field of welfare. These are characterized by new approaches from the perspective of preventive and Kansei welfare. Themes of the first term were basic research oriented and ones of the second term are apply and development research oriented.