For the first five years, the Future of Humanity Research Center’s activities will be centered on the concept of rita — the Japanese word for altruism.
　Exclusivism and accelerating fragmentation are rampant nowadays. Merit-based ideas force people to compete with each other and abandon the weak. This utilitarian view informs decisions on who to socialize with in order to gain the most benefit. The tendency is that if things are quantifiable, they are either valued or cast aside. How can we envision a better society and more fulfilling life in this savage world in which we find ourselves?
　The concept of rita and its central idea of acting for someone or something other than oneself might provide us with a clue. At first glance, it may seem absurd. However, this human tendency could help us completely rethink humanity, society, and technology. To illuminate this aspect of our human nature, which stands apart from meritocracy, utilitarianism, and numerical evaluation, we can lead with an altruistic light in our pursuit of “rita-ism.”
　Research areas will range widely from politics, the economy, and religion to AI, the environment, and the universe. Valuing encounters with researchers and experts in various fields, we will avidly extend our reach and open up the field of rita-ism. Our methods involve a flexible approach unique to Tokyo Tech that includes experiments and producing works in addition to methods traditionally employed by the humanities and social sciences such as bibliographic surveys and fieldwork.
　The center will disseminate research results in various ways, such as symposiums, books, web articles, and radio. (You can check out some works now from the “Pick up words” link section.) With your help and support, we will plant a variety of seeds in order to achieve the technology that will set humans free in the truest sense and realize a more humane society. Please look forward to the Future of Human Research Center’s Rita Project.