Kyoto Tachibana University to Host Memorial Lecture by Astrophysicist Dr. Kazunari Shibata in Honor of the Late Dr. Fumitaka Sato, a Pioneer in Black Hole Research

Kyoto Tachibana University (Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City; President: Tomohiro Okada) will host a special lecture on Friday, June 19, 2026, inviting Dr. Kazunari Shibata (Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University and President of the Kazan Astrophysics Foundation) as speaker, in memory of the late Dr. Fumitaka Sato (Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University), a leading Japanese astrophysicist who passed away in 2025. Additionally, a special exhibition of approximately 400 books donated by Dr. Sato’s estate will be open at the university library until Friday, June 26.

At this lecture, Dr. Shibata—former director of the Kyoto University-affiliated Kazan Observatory, established in the Taisho era and a cornerstone of Japan’s astrophysics development—will share personal anecdotes from his long-standing friendship with Dr. Sato. He will also explain the cutting-edge research on black holes from the perspective of 'solar flare explosion mechanisms' in an accessible manner for students. Furthermore, drawing on his unique insights as a long-time observatory director, Dr. Shibata will discuss the historical significance and hidden local charm of the Kazan Observatory, which shares the same Yamashina district as the university.

Alongside the lecture, the university library is hosting a special exhibition titled 'A Researcher Who Tackled the Mysteries of the Universe and Black Holes,' featuring valuable books donated by Dr. Sato’s family. The university hopes this exhibition will allow future generations of students to engage with Dr. Sato’s 'source of knowledge'—his relentless, independent thinking beyond conventional wisdom—and cultivate a rich spirit of inquiry.

About the Memorial Program for the Late Dr. Fumitaka Sato

【Outline of the Special Lecture】

Date: Friday, June 19, 2026, 17:10–18:40 Venue: Group Study Area, 1st Floor, Kyoto Tachibana University Library Participants: Students and staff of the university, and approximately 30 members of the general public ※ Registration has closed due to capacity limits Speaker: Dr. Kazunari Shibata Host: Tomohiro Okada (President of Kyoto Tachibana University / Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics) Program: 17:10–17:15 Opening 17:15–18:00 Lecture by Dr. Shibata: 'Dr. Fumitaka Sato, Black Holes, and the Kazan Observatory' 18:00–18:20 Interview with Dr. Shibata (Interviewer: President Tomohiro Okada) 18:20–18:35 Q&A and dialogue with participants 18:35–18:40 Closing remarks and guidance for exhibition viewing

【Speaker Profile】 Kazunari Shibata Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University, Special Visiting Professor at Doshisha University, and President of the Kazan Astrophysics Foundation. His expertise lies in astrophysics. A leading researcher in solar flares and cosmic jets, he has served as Director of the Kyoto University Astronomical Observatory and President of the Astronomical Society of Japan. He has received numerous domestic and international awards, including the American Astronomical Society’s Hale Prize and the Chandrasekhar Prize.

【Outline of the Special Exhibition 'A Researcher Who Tackled the Mysteries of the Universe and Black Holes'】

Period: Thursday, May 7, 2026 – Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: Exhibition Space, 2nd Floor, Kyoto Tachibana University Library Opening Hours: 8:45–20:30 ※ Saturdays: 8:45–17:15, Sundays: Closed

【Main Exhibits】 Approximately 400 donated books from the family of Dr. Fumitaka Sato

Books authored by Dr. Sato: '100 Years of Quantum Mechanics' (Seidosha), 'Dr. Fumitaka Sato’s Quantum Theory—Interference Experiments, Quantum Entanglement, and Interpretation Issues' (Kodansha), 'Don’t Cling to Science!—A Special Class on the Universe and Death' (Iwanami Shoten), and other science books aimed at undergraduate students.

【Background of the Donation】

Dr. Sato’s donated materials have been distributed among three institutions: the library in his hometown of Shirataka Town, Yamagata Prefecture; Kyoto University; and our university. This allocation ensures their future use in research and education.

The reason books were donated to our university stems from the longstanding relationship between Dr. Sato and President Tomohiro Okada. Both played central roles in the 'Citizens’ Association for the Preservation and Utilization of Hideki Yukawa’s Former Residence,' which aims to preserve and utilize the home and materials of the world-renowned physicist Dr. Hideki Yukawa. Their close collaboration, rooted in a shared mission to protect and pass on the Yukawa spirit and academic-cultural heritage to future generations, led the family to decide on this donation following Dr. Sato’s passing.

These books will be integrated into the university library’s collection and widely used as valuable resources to enrich the academic experience of students, especially those in engineering disciplines.

【Exhibition Highlights】

【Public Access to the University Library】

As part of its commitment to returning intellectual resources to the local community, Kyoto Tachibana University Library allows general citizens (18 years and older) who wish to borrow materials to register and use the library for lifelong learning and educational research purposes. Registration: User registration at the library counter (valid ID required) For details: Please visit the university library website.

Guest User Registration at Kyoto Tachibana University Library https://www.tachibana-u.ac.jp/library/information/guest_user.html