Greetings

In October 2025, Sanae Takaichi became the first female Prime Minister. The LDP has not gained majority in the diet, and compromising policies of populist nature are introduced for the moment. However, we expect she will solve various disadvantages because of being female that have existed for years since their elimination is past due. The outcome will share the same ideas of UD: Stagnation of Japan for the past several decades was caused by the male-dominated practices and customs, needing immediate revisions with diversity in mind.

Under these circumstances, IAUD is struggling to come back to business. The following are the activities we had in 2025, and some plans for 2026.

With Japanese and overseas experts to serve as judges, the judgement of IAUD International Design Award for 2025 was conducted. Awards ceremony with presentations will be held on 27th February 2026. Innovative ideas are to be shown, so please join us online.

UD certification is now online, with both tests for beginner and intermediate level are progressing smoothly. After careful consideration, we started the advanced level certification. We have four applicants for the first round, and certification is proceeding. The certification steps comprise: Problem setting, survey, and final proposals, similar to seminar activities at post-graduate level, and final decision will be made in mid-February.

The fourth round of IIUD course will start in April 2026. Translation with the assistance of AI enables overseas applicants to take up the course, and we expect Indian and others to join us. It would enable IAUD to disseminate knowledge and experiences that we have accumulated so far. Besides, it would reveal the differences and similarities of UD in global context, toward enhancing the realization of inclusive society.

We are pursuing possibilities for our next international UD conference, negotiating with several local government bodies. It could be in line with the government policy on more resilient Japan. Hopefully, we will be able to hold the conference in 2026. Regarding possibilities of holding the conference overseas in 2027, we are seeking if India could be our counterpart, in line with FOIP strategy. We are well aware that short notice is inconvenient for you all, and we will do our best to let you know as soon as the plan is available.

To sum up, we will do everything we can to step further. With the advice, cooperation, and support of our members, we strive to move forward.

IAUD Chairperson of the Board of Directors,
Satoshi Kose