The JSPS Doctoral Course Research Fellows (DC) Friendship Meeting 2024 in Kyoto was held at the Kyoto International Conference Center on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

The JSPS Doctoral Course Research Fellows (DC) Friendship Meeting 2024 in Kyoto was held for the newly selected fellows of the academic year 2024. The purpose of the event was to facilitate cross-disciplinary interactions among the new DCs, who are Japan's top young researchers selected through a rigorous competitive process. A total of 505 DCs from all over Japan attended the event.

Before the main event, an icebreaking session was held where participants formed friendships through recreational activities. The main event began with an opening speech by JSPS President SUGINO Tsuyoshi, who announced the decision on the logo for JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists. This was followed by a video message from Mr. MORIYAMA Masahito, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and a congratulatory speech and lecture by Prof. MURAYAMA Hitoshi of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, the University of Tokyo, a WPI center.

Following the main event, participants dispersed to various venues for lectures by senior researchers, poster presentations by participants, and roundtable discussions on their individual research activities. There was a great deal of enthusiasm at all the venues. We received positive feedback from participants, including the following comments: “This opportunity has allowed me to significantly expand my network and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on my future career”; “I was able to see that I have so many peers, and I am now more motivated to continue my research from tomorrow, knowing that I should work hard and be a good competitor”; “I believe that today's meeting was such a valuable social event that it could be an important milestone in my life. I was once again made aware of the high expectations placed on me. I had a productive day today, which has strengthened my resolve to carve out my own possibilities in the field of research.”