Israel’s Ambassador to Japan, Yaffa Ben-Ari, hosted a reception at her residence on 3 June in honour of a unique science and design collaboration by a joint team from the University of Tokyo and the Bezalel Arts and Design Academy, Jerusalem.

The joint team has developed a novel system which transforms microscopic images of human capillaries into musical tunes. The latest research by Associate Professor Yukiko Matsunaga of the Institute of Industrial Science (University of Tokyo) has revealed that shapes of capillaries can indicate one’s health condition, and the team led by Dr. Romi Mikulinsky of the Bezalel Arts and Design Academy has enabled the creation of individualised, unique music from images of capillaries.

Ambassador Ben-Ari said in her opening remarks that she is “Very pleased that not only has this collaboration merged science and design [sectors between] Japan and Israel, but also that the teams are led by two women from Israel and Japan.”

Welcoming remarks were given by Prof. Teruo Fujii (Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo), Prof. Kisho (Director-General of the Institute of Industrial Science), and Prof. Nino (Vice Chair of the DLX Platform).