The paper discusses research strategies to attract more attention to Human Factors and Ergonomics approaches in Japan, focusing on diverse application domains and research topics. In the discussion, the main target is set for practitioners in industry. The effectiveness of applications on diverse domains as well as the cooperative research between academia and industry are thoroughly explained. Especially, the importance of research topics relating to development of methodology/tools is stressed. Additionally, possible obstacles to be overcome are discussed.

Modern complex systems such as aviation, plants, and healthcare are referred to as socio-technical systems because they are operated under the close interaction of not only technical systems but also social systems involving numerous operation personnel and organizations engaged in their operation. Therefore, the roles that human factors and ergonomics should play in enhancing the safety of these systems are significant. Based on the insights gained from new safety perspectives proposed in Safety-II and Resilience Engineering recent years, this paper suggests the necessity of a framework for describing and understanding not only failures like human errors but also occurrences in normal successful operations （various trade-offs, changes, interactions, human contributions, etc.） as a foundation for constructing more practical and effective theories and methodologies. Additionally, taking Naturalistic Decision Making as a precedent, the significance and challenges of learning from reality and practice in the field are discussed.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders （WMSDs） occur in various occupations. This research issue focuses on endoscopic medical work, and outlines the trends of WMSDs and ergonomic measures/guidelines. Furthermore, the following three research issues to be addressed are summarized: 1） grasping the prevalence/incidence of WMSDs related to endoscopic medical work, 2） accumulating knowledge on evidence-based ergonomic measures, and 3） addressing diverse stakeholders. To disseminate and implement the solutions for these issues in medical work, it is necessary to form partnerships with each stakeholder and develop them through cooperation among industry, academia, government, and the private sectors.

The usefulness of pictograms in signage and guidance displays is well known. This paper introduced the possibility of using this knowledge as a safety measure for young children. Considering the fusion with handmade culture in kindergartens and nursery schools, it could be able to create a tool that allows teachers and childcare workers themselves to easily arrange pictogram designs, it will be possible for young children to know about safety conditions according to the situation. This method may lead to the prevention of accidents at daycare centers and kindergartens, and that by raising children’s sensitivity to danger from an early age, it may contribute to the prevention of future occupational accidents and unexpected accidents.

Human Factors and Ergonomics has comprehensively considered physical, psychological, environmental, and social factors in the relationship between people, products, technology, and the environment. Based on the accumulated experience, I propose a research issue on the ecosystem （interconnected and circulating system） in ergonomics for empowerment. As ergonomics for empowerment, I would like to discuss what can be done to maximize the power of individuals, communities, and society, and to provide products, environments, and systems that can realize a better quality of life.

This paper presents a new perspective in the field of human factors/ ergonomics, a unique discipline characterized by the complementary execution of science and practice, by viewing the process towards social implementation and solving societal challenges as one of adaptive leadership. This process not only involves making people accept significant changes but also adapting organizations and society at large. It argues for the necessity of case studies on leadership that meticulously describe the process of solving societal challenges. Ergonomics aims to solve societal challenges through a blend of scientific and practical efforts, demonstrating that solving these challenges leads to a new future where significant issues are resolved, and new lifestyles are adopted. It further stated the need to describe how stakeholders’ nuances were overcome in the process of creating this future. Additionally, if ergonomic leadership focused on solving societal challenges can be redefined, it would facilitate the connection between academia and practitioners, potentially broadening the complementary execution of science and practice.

We live in a new era of diversity, but laterality research, which is human lateral preferences like handedness or footedness, has not been systematically organized. This article summarizes research issues to be addressed to clarify the effect of workers’ laterality on occupational injuries. First, we reviewed the historical research trends of laterality from biological and socio-cultural perspectives. Then, as fundamental but forgotten state-of-the-art issues for occupational human factors and ergonomics, the following were identified: 1） Application to statistical analysis of occupational accidents/injuries, 2） Elucidation of the effects of the interaction between laterality and tools/equipment on safety, 3） Elucidation of the interaction between workstation design and laterality, 4） Risk estimation of occupational accidents related to laterality, and 5） Establishment of ergonomic risk reduction measures for occupational injuries related to laterality.