On Friday, December 6, recipients of grants-in-aid from the Canon Foundation gathered at the Otemachi 1st Square Conference facility at Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo for the "2019 Reunion."

At the time of this writing, 377 researchers have received grants in aid from the Foundation, a number that includes both research representatives and co-researchers. Having grown over time into a community that makes contributions in a wide range of fields, the Foundation views those researchers as a major asset. As a forum for them to go beyond the confines of their respective areas of specialty to partake in interdisciplinary exchange, the "Reunion" is an event for those researchers to take advantage of their community in a meaningful way. This marks the third time the event was held.

On the day of "Reunion 2019," approximately 90 participants were present in total, including members of the screening committee and others involved in the Canon Foundation as well as Foundation-funded researchers. In his address to commence the proceedings, Foundation Chairman Hiroyuki Yoshikawa stated, "The shape of research must proceed to change from here on out to achieve a good future of mankind. Dialogue between generations is needed for that purpose. The Canon Foundation makes it possible for the researchers it funds and its screening committee to have a dialogue at forums such as this Reunion. I hope you will consider yourselves to be members of the same community as you engage in communication with each other, creating new trends in research as you do."

Following the Chairman's address and a change in venue, the eighteen researchers receiving grants-in-aid began their poster session. This program, which was held for the first time last year, is an initiative for creating opportunities for research exchange that transcend disciplines. Each booth hosted the presentation of its own theme, and provided an ideal space for fellow researchers to engage in close exchange.

Next, Foundation Director Yuichiro Anzai give a lecture entitled: "What Is Today's A.I. Incapable Of? Why Is That So? A Model Issue for Scientific Research."

Mr. Anzai touched upon what A.I., or artificial intelligence, has shown that it can and cannot do since it was founded as a discipline in 1956. He also spoke on what scientific research on A.I. entails, giving a passionate lecture highlighted by his worldwide career while making mention of the issues encountered in scientific and technological research in Japan.
In the question-and-answer session that followed, Mr. Anzai entered a lively discussion with the researchers and members of the screening committee on hand.
Detailed information on the lecture and the question-and-answer session is scheduled to be made available at a later date.

The proceedings then concluded with a social gathering, which reached a lively peak despite the limited time on hand. There, researchers from differing disciplines continued to deepen their exchange with each other.