Tohoku University Motoaki Sugiura Lab.

Social psychiatry aims for mental health through diverse perspectives incorporating biological, psychological, and social aspects. Among the eight factors of “power to live with disasters” identified through surveys of Great East Japan Earthquake (2011) survivors, three factors also positively influenced mental health. From a common axis linking disaster response and mental health, cognitive neuroscience may bring new developments to psychiatry. I presented these interdisciplinary research findings in a lecture titled “Three Keys to Mental Health from Disaster Psychology and Brain Research” at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Social Psychiatry held in Utsunomiya.
　This time, I also exchanged views with conference chair Shiro Suda (Jichi Medical University), who invited me, on topics including holding conferences in regional cities, the operational approach for clinical societies, and the nature of local autonomy and urban development. Utsunomiya is famous for its gyoza (the top photo shows the gyoza Venus statue made of local specialty Oya stone). Recently, it has gained attention as a successful example of regional revitalization centered on transportation, notably with the introduction of streetcars—the first in Japan in 75 years—leading to increased population along the route. (Sugiura)
 

The next-generation tram “Utsunomiya Haga Light Rail Line” (from August 2023) features comfortable boarding/alighting and payment functions. It connects JR Utsunomiya Station eastward via shared-use tracks to universities, shopping centers, and other destinations.

In suburban areas, it offers dedicated tracks for enhanced park-and-ride access. Crossing the Kinugawa River brings you to the site of Tobiyama Castle (built in the 11th century by the Haga clan, vassals of the Utsunomiya clan).