Q. Tell us about the content of the lecture.

　Today, when we go out to work or play, we often need transportation systems. The development of transportation will broaden the scope and type of social activities. For that reason, along with the development of society, the transportation system has also developed, but it is accompanied by not only positive aspects but also negative aspects. For example, transportation-related accidents. The train caused a fatal accident on its first day of business and was originally not considered to be a safe vehicle. In the case of automobiles, the history of its development is also the history of accidents. Millions of casualties and injuries have resulted therefrom in Japan alone. Also, there are problems with automobiles that hinder the development of society such as traffic pollution and regional division. In the lecture, we will learn both merits and demerits of transportation, and we will consider ways to improve transportation.

Feedback from the students who took the course ■ I was able to learn about the beginning of the formation of a transportation society as well as its development thereafter, and it was content that interested/intrigued me. ■I attended this lecture because I was interested in transportation policies. The lectures of the professor were very interesting, and they gave us deep understanding of the topics. ■Since lessons were conducted using many pictures and figures, it was easy to understand the content. ■ It was easy to understand because no difficult terminologies were used. Also, even if such difficult terminologies were used, clear explanations were given. ■ The theme of the lectures was clear, easy to understand, and the pacing was appropriate. The utilization of PowerPoint was also well done.

Q. What is the significance of studying "Transportation Systems Theory" at the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences?

　Transportation problems are related to a wide range of items. Even if it is limited only to traffic accidents, it relates to the psychology of those who caused the accident, the organizational response to prevent accidents, the social system underlying the fundamental problem, and so on. At the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences, it is possible to learn about all of them. In addition, development of society requires evolution / progress of transportation, but safety measures cannot be lacking in achieving said purpose. Even if people and luggage are transported faster and in larger quantities, it will be meaningless if human beings are injured or goods are broken on a daily basis. It is the primary responsibility of transportation that it (people, things, etc.) can be delivered safely without any accidents or obstacles. It is with the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences where you can learn about the problem of safety comprehensively.

Message to the candidates 　Unfortunately, it is no longer possible for you to have unlimited possibilities. However, it is not a matter that should cause grief. Even if there were unlimited possibilities, life only happens once. Therefore, among these possibilities, carefully choose what you want to do and sufficiently prepare for that. Many possibilities will be abandoned in the process, but those possibilities are only the things which you will give up in order to make your own flower bloom into a “big flower”. By choosing a university, enrolling, and choosing a faculty, you will give up even more possibilities. Your distress may stem from there, but, as a result of that, you will be able to make the flower you chose bloom. I would like to see that as well.

Comment of a seminar student 　Professor Nishimura is “a teacher who always has a gentle smile”. In the seminar activities, the professor has plenty of knowledge to help us students and sometimes also watches and supports us from the shadows, so the good atmosphere of the seminar is always maintained. There are also occasions that invite a smile to the face, such as being engrossed in conversation that we forget the time. Such cuteness is also one charm that the professor possesses and can even be set as a mascot-like existence within the Nishimura seminar. Everyone enjoys seminar activities every day. *This article is as of December 2016.