In this workshop, we use Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to look at misunderstandings from new perspectives. The skills can be applied both to everyday challenges in research groups and to broader dialogues between science, technology, and society.
Overview
How can people with diverse values and opposing opinions understand each other and work together? The foundation is communication. Among the many skills to strengthen communication, Nonviolent Communication (NVC) has gained attention as a highly practical and effective approach. By learning these methods, participants can gain confidence in their research, friendships, and professional collaborations. In this two-day intensive workshop, we welcome two NVC specialists to guide participants.
| 📂 Category | Innitiative |
| 📌 Keywords | Communication, Empathy, Expression, Consensus Building |
| 🎯 Objectives | Through structured practices, learn to imagining others’ perspectives and to apply them in daily life, learning, and research. |
| 🌐 Language | English & Japanese |
| 👥 Target Participants | Graduate & Undergraduate Students |
| 🗓 Format | In-person, two consecutive sessions (3 hours x 2) |
| ✅ Past & Upcoming Sessions | #1: Friday, January 9, 2026, 17:00–20:00 #2: Friday, January 16, 2026, 17:00–20:00 |
| 📍 Venue | S6-309A, Ookayama Campus |
| 🌟 Recommended for | Students Who: – Find it difficult to express opinions different from others – Struggle to find good team members – Experience challenges in project or group communication |
| 📊 Points | 6 points total (Points to be awarded to students enrolled in the courses for credits. Please refer to the syllabus for details.) |
| 🎟️ Capacity | 12 participants |
Main Content
- Empathic presence and self-leadership (beyond misunderstandings about “empathy”)
- Conflict management (from conflict and tension to collaboration)
- Empowerment listening (dialogue and coaching rooted in empathy)
- Mutual feedback (communicating and receiving both positive and negative feedback honestly)
- Consensus-building that enhances implementation power
- Designing systems that strengthen both individual and organizational capacity
Facilitator
Makiko Imai
Certified NVC Trainer, Consultant/Coach/Facilitator/Writer, ORSCC Systemic Coaching certified.
After working in HR and consulting, she became independent and now provides learning and restorative dialogue spaces based on NVC for leaders in corporations and educational institutions. Co-translator of two books.
Seiji Nagata
Representative of Restorative Circles Japan, Conflict Resolution Facilitator, Graphic Harvester.
Formerly engaged in engineering and system development projects, he studied NVC with diverse trainers and applied it to life challenges, deepening experiential understanding of emotions, human behavior, and influence.
Past Event Records
Voices from Participants
- It was really interesting to understand how specific words and being precise can affect how others understand you.
- The workshop was engaging and provided practical tools for improving communication in both personal and professional settings. The facilitators were knowledgeable and created a supportive environment that encouraged active participation and learning.
- どのように自分のNeedsを伝えたら良いかは難しいが、このワークショップを通じて、その一つの方法を学ぶことができて良かった。
- I learned a lot from this workshop, and the most important thing I learned was that we often assume others know what we want without saying it precisely, leading to misunderstandings. By listening, asking, and checking our understanding, we can communicate more deeply and find solutions.
Contact Faculty
Yuri Matsuzaki, Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Academy for Leadership
📩 matsuzaki.y.77a9 [at] m.isct.ac.jp