Meijo University is the only university in Japan’s Hokuriku and Tokai regions that has been selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a university eligible to receive the support of the Private University Research Branding Project (global development category) in FY 2016. The program, the Meijo University Research Branding Project for Development of New Optical Devices Based on Blue LED Technology, which was selected as the subject for the subsidy, is aimed at inventing new optical devices for the near future based on blue LED technology, centered on the research team of Professor Isamu Akasaki, a 2014 Nobel laureate in Physics.
As part of this project, the Meijo University Optoelectronic Device Research Center was established as the university’s research base for the development of optical devices that perform an unprecedented range of new functions. In addition, the achievements of research will be shared throughout society so that Meijo University will have a brand image, both in Japan and around the world, as a research-oriented university.
Under Meijo Strategy-2026 (MS-26), a strategic plan culminating in 2026, the university’s 100th anniversary, we state the mission of our research as “passing on the achievements of our research to education and society through academic exploration and the application of theories.” The plan also defines our objectives of developing and strengthening Meijo University as a base of international research.
Since this project is an extremely important part of the MS-26 strategic plan, we will be thoroughly engaged in establishing Meijo University’s brand image as a research-oriented university and in consolidating our position as one of the leading universities in Japan towards our 100th anniversary.

Akihiro Ohara
President, Meijo University

No one ever thought that a blue LED would be achieved in the 20th century. But it was. This achievement was the result of the successful creation of high-quality GaN single crystal, which had been the largest deadlock in the research, and the contribution of researchers and technical experts from many companies who collaborated to put blue LED into practical application. This blue LED has been applied to things like lighting and smartphones, and it has been a key device in creating numerous product innovations.
This Meijo University project is aimed at furthering the technology nurtured through the research of blue LED, inventing innovative optical devices such as ultra-efficient semiconductor lasers, and applying them to new key devices that will result in innovation. These devices are expected to be applied to a wide range of fields including energy, environment, medicine, and bioscience and to bring us one step closer to an ultra-energy-efficient society.
Towards the realization of such a society, faculty and students in this university must work with researchers from companies towards a common ambitious goal. The Optoelectronic Device Research Center was established to serve as the base of concrete research towards this goal.
In closing, I would like to express my appreciation for your continuing understanding and support for the young researchers and students who are doggedly pursuing their goals.

Isamu Akasaki
Honorary Director, Optoelectronic Device Research Center

This project is aimed at furthering the development of the blue LED invented jointly by Professor Akasaki and Professor Amano, embodying new optical devices that can contribute to a safe and secure society, and disseminating the research achievements throughout society.
The above-mentioned optical devices include high-efficiency RGB semiconductor lasers, surface-emitting laser arrays, and deep ultraviolet lasers that may directly lead to the realization of challenging applications such as ultra-high-efficient and high-performance lighting, tiny displays, and sterilizing light. We conduct research in which faculty, students, and company researchers work as one in accordance with Professor Akasaki’s intentions, and we strive to strengthen mutual understanding between students and companies through internship programs. The Optoelectronic Device Research Center in Meijo University was established as the base of these research activities.
To share our achievements in an easy-to-understand way and show people research highlights and what they can do for society, we hold lectures and mock experiments for the general public and for students at elementary, junior high, and high schools. We hope that the youngsters who experience these opportunities will discover the wonders of creating new technologies and will be inspired to someday take part in research at Meijo University.
I was also fortunate to learn a lot directly from Professor Akasaki when I was engaged in research with company researchers as a student. I am taking part in this project because I firmly believe that I must convey Professor Akasaki’s philosophy of research to as many people as possible.

Tetsuya Takeuchi
Director, Optoelectronic Device Research Center