April 7, 2026
The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI)

This May 5 (Tue, public holiday), The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), together with steAm Inc. and Girls Unlimited Program, will be co-hosting a career guidance event "From Secrets of the Surface and Beyond: Find Your Potential!"** at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) for junior high and high school girls, helping them discover the wonders of mathematics.

* Note: The movie screening will be in English, but the panel discussion and workshop will be in Japanese.

** This is part of a global event to support women studying and researching mathematics on May 12, to honor the birthday of mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani. Read more here.

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Event Summary

Time & Date: May 5 (Tue, public holiday), 2026

10:30am - 12:30pm　Movie screening and panel discussion (Doors open 10am)
10:30am - 4:30pm　Workshop (Doors open 10am and will be held in a separate room from the movie screening)

Venue: Miraikan Hall, 7F, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
Host: The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI)
Co-hosts: steAm Inc., Girls Unlimited Program
Support: The University of Tokyo Office for Gender Equity, The University of Osaka Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mitsubishi Memorial Foundation for Educational Excellence.
This event is for: Junior high school and high school girl students and their parents. Anyone is free to take part in the workshop.
Admission: Free
Seats: Movie screening 200 seats (first come first serve basis). Please register in advance.
How to register: Fill out a registration form here (One registration per group)

*Note: On May 5 (Children's Day), the Miraikan will be offering free admission to the their permanent exhibition to anyone under 18-years-old. If you wish to see the permanent exhibition, please collect your ticket upon arrival. The Miraikan will open at 10am.

Program

1. Movie screening and Panel Discussion

TIme: 10:30am - 12:30pm (doors to venue and Miraikan open at 10am)
Venue: Miraikan Hall, 7F, Miraikan
*Note: Pre-registration is required. No admission after 10:30am.

Movie screening: Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani (with Japanese subtitles)

This documentary film follows the life of Maryam Mirzakhani, the first women to be awarded the Fields Medal. Kavli IPMU assisted with making the Japanese subtitles.

*Note: The Fields Medal is the highest honor in mathematics. The award is presented to a handful of mathematicians under 40-years-old every four years, and is often referred to as the Nobel Prize in Mathematics. Read more about the Fields Medal here.

Panel Discussion

Following the movie screening, a panel of five experts will take part in a panel discussion.

Panelists

Hitomi Ono

Kobe City University of Foreign Studies Visiting Scholar

After receiving a PhD in Literature, Ono worked as a Project Researcher at the University of Tokyo Center for Coproduction and Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, before joining Kobe City University of Foreign Studies. Her research field is Islamic law and Gender History. She has published several books, including, "The Ethics of Single-Sex Schooling in Islam: Rethinking Equity in Education" (co-edited with Mina Hattori, 2026), and "Children in Islamic Law: Child-Rearing and Family from a Gender Perspective" (2019).

Sachiko Nakajima

Musician/Mathematician/STEAM Tutor

Nakajima currently serves as steAm Inc. CEO, steAm BAND Representative, Cabinet Office STEM Girls Ambassador, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences Project Researcher, and Research Institute for Humanity and Nature Specially Appointed Visiting Professor. In 2025, she helped produce the Jellyfish Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. She is an International Mathematic Olympics gold medalist, and recipient of the Shiseido Clé de Peau Beauté Power of Radiance Awards 2025.

Sayako Kanamori

The University of Osaka Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences Professor, Girls Unlimited Program Board of Director

Kanamori has worked in a diverse range of fields, starting from science to international collaborations on global health. She has held posts in academic institutions outside Japan, the consultation industry, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She currently serves as a Board of Director to Girls Unlimited Program, providing guidance to junior high and high school girls, and encouraging students to reach further. At university, Kanamori works across fields, focusing on mentoring students capable of resolving issues in society.

Yukari Ito

The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) Professor and Deputy Director

Ito's field of research is mathematics, particularly algebraic geometry. She is the 2001 recipient of the Mathematical Soceity of Japan's Takebe Kitahiro Special Prize. Ito has served as a member of the Science Council of Japan since 2020, and President of the Asian-Oceanian Women in Mathematic since 2025. She has authored several books, including "Research is Fun!", "An Introduction to Beautiful Mathematics" (Iwanami Shoten Publishers), and "The paper and the Professor" (Nikkei NG Publishers). She also helped write the Japanese subtitles for "Secrets of the Surfaces".

Masao Imose

Mitsubishi Memorial Foundation for Educational Excellence Executive Director

Imose joined Mitsubishi Bank (currently MUFG Bank) in 1990. After working in corporate sales and domestic business planning, Imose has been involved in human resources, developing HR systems and promoting diversity within the organization. He has held posts as Head of the HR Staff Office, Manager of the Administrative Planning Department, and President and CEO of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Partners, Inc., before becoming Executive Director in 2023.

Moderator: Naoko Shinozaki

Narrator, Mathematics Communicator

Shinozaki is a narrator and communicator for mathematics and physics courses at The Open University of Japan. She helped develop the "Mathematics and Physics Connecting with the World" program, and regularly interviews researchers on YouTube channel Tokanai Mathematics.

2. Workshop

Time: 10:30am - 4:30pm (venue opens at 10am)
Venue: Mercury, Mars and Venus Rooms, 7F, Miraikan

* This is an open event for everyone and does not require pre-registration

In this workshop, participants will be able to try out puzzles and technologies involving mathematics.
There will be presentations from student members of Mathematics and Music Seminar.