Note: This is an English translation of the original Japanese message.
Message on My Appointment as Representative Director
I am honored to have been appointed Representative Director of FrontISTR Commons. First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere respect and gratitude to Professor Hiroshi Okuda of the University of Tokyo, my predecessor as Representative Director, and to everyone who has contributed to the development, use, and promotion of FrontISTR.
FrontISTR is open-source structural analysis software that has been developed and advanced over many years through collaboration between academia and industry. Built on large-scale parallel computing technology, it has been widely used in applications ranging from research and development to engineering design and manufacturing, establishing a strong track record as CAE software originating in Japan.
In recent years, manufacturing has seen rapid progress in areas such as digital twins, multiphysics analysis, and integration with AI, further increasing expectations for simulation technologies. Against this backdrop, the role of open-source software that anyone can use and improve is becoming increasingly important. FrontISTR Commons is expected not only to develop further as a community in which users, developers, and researchers collaborate to create new value, but also to foster an ecosystem in which technology, people, and knowledge can circulate and develop sustainably.
As Representative Director, I will work to strengthen the development framework, foster human resources, and invigorate the user community, while further deepening collaboration between academia and industry to contribute to the sustainable development of FrontISTR. I will also place particular emphasis on creating an environment in which young engineers and students can readily participate, learn, and take on new challenges, thereby helping to pass technologies and expertise on to the next generation.
The greatest strength of FrontISTR Commons lies not only in the software itself, but also in the community that supports it. Together with our members, I will continue working to advance computational mechanics technologies in Japan, enhance the competitiveness of Japanese manufacturing, and further develop FrontISTR.
I sincerely appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
Representative Director, FrontISTR Commons
Masakazu Takagaki