Greetings from the Director of the Institute for Motivational Studies and Research

Since its establishment in September 2011, the Institute for Motivation Studies and Applied Research (IMSAR) has been dedicated to promoting research and studies related to motivation, with the aim of responding to social needs and enhancing education and research on motivation at our university.
Grounded in psychology, our work explores the mechanisms of various types of motivation-from learning and working, to interpersonal relationships, as well as motivation within society and organizations-approaching these themes from both theoretical and practical perspectives. In addition to advancing academic research, IMSAR values close collaboration with schools, companies, and local communities, with the goal of applying research findings to benefit society.
We remain committed to supporting the motivation that underlies learning, working, and social interaction, and to serving as a bridge between the science and practice of motivation.
We sincerely appreciate your continued understanding and support.

Yukiko Iso
Director, Institute for Motivational Studies and Research

Yukiko Iso（Director）
Profile: finished the Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University. She worked as an assistant professor at Osaka University and currently she is an associate professor of TFU. She is currently a professor of TFU.Her research focuses on the topics of interpersonal social psychology, and she has a particular interest in the studies of nonverbal behavior seen in interpersonal relations and the social skill. Also she is interested in people watching, which is helpful in her studies.
■Main books: Social Psychology in our Daily Life (co-author,2012). Interpersonal Social Psychology for Well-Being-The Science of Interpersonal Communications and Interpersonal Relations (co-author, 2012).Looking at society before and after COVID19(co-author, 2021).

Takashi Kakuyama（Adviser）
Profile: graduated from the Department of Psychology and the Graduate School of Sociology, Rikkyo University. He worked at Rikkyo University as an assistant professor and then was a Tokyo International University faculty member for 28 years. In 2011, he moved to Tokyo Future University (TFU) and served as the Dean of the School of Motivation and Behavioral Sciences for six years. He then assumed the position of university president and served for six years. In 2024, he was appointed President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus and has since continued to serve as an advisor to the IMSAR. His main research interest is work motivation. Currently, he is an honorary member and executive advisor of the Japanese Association of Industrial/Organizational Psychology, an honorary member of the Japanese Association of Applied Psychology, Vice President of the Japanese Academy of Human Resource Development, and chairman of the board of the non-profit organization, Culture Creation for Students.
■Main books: Psychology of organizational behavior(author and editor, 2019).Power phrase(author, 2018).Industrial and Organizational Psychology(author, 2011).Handbook of Industrial/Organizational Psychology(main editor, 2009).

Ikko Takahashi (Adviser)
Profile: finished his master’s degree in Graduate School of Humanities from Meisei University. He was engaged in planning and development of assessment and traffic safety education at companies. After, he had a career working an assistant professor at private universities, he joins Tokyo Future University as professor. Currently he was appointed the Dean of the School of Motivation and Behavioral Sciences of Tokyo Future University, and the Director of the IMSAR. He also served as training chairperson of Japanese Organization of Clinical Developmental Psychologist. His main research interest is Developmental Psychology and Aging Psychology.
■Main books: 15 Lectures of Developmental Psychology (main editor, 2019). Nursing course Basic field “Psychology”(author, 2017).

Hiroko Kobayashi（Researcher）
Profile: earned her Ph.D. (Education) at the graduate school of education, the University of Tokyo. She worked as a postdoctoral research fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and currently she is an associate professor of TFU. Her research aims to understand how learners rectify misconceptions and to propose effective instructional programs.
■Main books: Practicing-Based Approach in Educational Psychology(co-author, 2019).Educational Method and Skills for raising children who learn and think on their own (co-author, 2016).

Kenji Hanita（Researcher）
Profile: earned his Ph.D. (Sociology) at the graduate school of social sciences, Hitotsubashi University. He worked as a specially-appointed assistant professor at Otemon Gakuin University and currently he is an associate professor of TFU. His research focused on the unconsciousness of the social judgment and behavior.
■Main books: Learning Social Psychology: Episodes of Relationship in Romance, Family, and Friendship (co-author, 2020). Group Psychology (co-author, 2021).

Tomoko Hyugano (Researcher)
Profile: earned her Ph.D. at the graduate school of human life sciences, Showa Women's University. Her worked as assistant professor at RISSHO University and currently she is an associate professor of TFU. Her research focuses on Interpersonal stress and social skills, Interpersonal relationships and communication of nursery teachers at nursery schools.
■Main books:Introduction to “KODOMOGAKU”(author and editor 2017).Psychology of organizational behavior(co-author, 2019).

Satomi Ishibashi（Researcher）
Profile: graduated from the Faculty of Literature, Aoyama Gakuin University. After graduation, she engaged in sales and personnel departments at a private company. Finished her master’s degree in a Graduate School, Division of Humanities from Shinshu University. And then, she joined Tokyo Future University after having had her career as assistant professors at several private universities. Her main research interest is career development.
■Main books:Industrial /Organizational Psychology Workbook for Career Development(author, 2016). Management and Actual Steps for Worker’s Mental Health Practices and Application(co-author,2016). Psychology and Work 10 Social Psychology(co-author,2017). Psychology of motivation(co-author, 2023)

Ikuo Daibo（Honorary Fellow）
Profile: graduated from the Graduate School of Letters, Hokkaido University. He started his teaching career at Sapporo Medical College, then Yamagata University, and Hokusei Gakuen University. After Hokusei Gakuen University, Professor Daibo was invited to Osaka University, and he was a faculty member for 12 years, then he moved to TFU as the President. After he took retirement at mandatory age, he moved to Hokusei Gakuen University as the President. Currently, he is the emeritus professors of Osaka University,TFU and Hokusei Gakuen University. His research interests focus on interpersonal social psychology, especially on the studies of the interpersonal communication process and the intimacy of the interpersonal relationship, as well as the building of well-being.
■Main books: Communication that connects people-Psychology of well-being in interpersonal relationships-(author,2022). Nonverbal Communication (author,1998)

Toshikazu Sakuma（Project Researcher）
Profile: graduated from the Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University. He gained 26 years of practical experience at Recruit Holdings and accumulated his career mainly in human resource projects. In 2012 he came to TFU as a professor and the director of the Motivation Management Association (a general incorporated association). Currently he established Management Development Laboratory Inc. in April 2017 through his career as a professor in TFU of 5 years.
■Main books: Exercise of the Motivation Management (author, 2015).

Shin Nakamine（Project Researcher）
Profile: Ph.D. in psychology from the Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba. He specializes in philosophy of psychology and romantic love theory. He conduct research on various issues surrounding romantic relationship and marriage. In addition, his research focuses on what can be revealed in psychological and social surveys.

Ayako　Miura（Staff）
Profile：She joined Sanko Gakuen Group in 2016. Currently she is in charge of the IMSAR.