More than a year has passed since COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) was reclassified as a Category 5 infectious disease under the Infectious Diseases Control Law. Public health journals have published several special features on COVID-19. This paper outlines the responses of various public institutions to COVID-19 after the pandemic based on information from their official websites. In 2023, the Cabinet Agency for Infectious Disease Crisis Management was established within the Cabinet Secretariat to strengthen the leadership response to infectious disease crises and to develop a system that can respond promptly and appropriately. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare continues to release information on COVID-19 outbreaks, vaccines, infection control measures, etc., on its website, while detailed information related to COVID-19 is available on the National Institute of Infectious Diseases website. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government provides residents with clear, easy-to-understand information related to COVID-19, either online or through leaflets and handbooks. Incidentally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted not only the difficulties but also a range of other issues. The experience of restrictive situations widely felt by society should serve as both a resource and inspiration to find concrete solutions to various challenges.

Systemic amyloidosis is a disease with poor prognosis, characterized by the deposition of amyloid protein in organs throughout the body. There are few case reports of mediastinal amyloidoma. Herein, we present a case a 75-year-old man who was diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis following the resection of a mediastinal tumor. The patient was referred to our department after follow-up after undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting because he was diagnosed with an anterior mediastinal tumor. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 5 cm-sized mass with calcification adjacent to the ascending aorta and the left pulmonary artery trunk; Positron emission tomography (PET) revealed only slight accumulation in the mass and lymph nodes. Intraoperative findings showed a smooth yellowish-brown tumor adjacent to the ascending aorta, which was completely resected via thoracoscopy. Immunohistochemistry revealed Aλ amyloidosis, and amyloid deposition was observed in the bone marrow and duodenal biopsies. The patient is currently receiving chemotherapy for systemic AL amyloidosis. Preoperatively, there was a concern that the left internal thoracic artery graft was involved in the tumor, but it was possible to preserve it. There was no recurrence 5 years after surgery. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and management of systemic amyloidosis, which may significantly improve prognosis.

Nara Women's University in Japan opened the Faculty of Engineering, the first of its kind, in April 2022 because women's advancements in the field of engineering had been lagging behind those of men. An increase in female engineers is necessary for the development of Japan's industry and economy; however, to achieve this goal, engineering education that is attractive to women is necessary. According to the survey, engineering that is attractive to women focuses on the needs of people and society.

To understand the needs of people and society, a liberal arts education is necessary. In addition, to select a problem to solve from among the many problems faced by people and society, individuals must know their preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. Therefore, the liberal arts education at Nara Women's University fosters self-awareness, thus enhancing the regular liberal arts education.

Self-awareness is the basis for deciding what to do. "Initiative" is knowing "what one should do" and doing it, so finding problems to solve by oneself based on self-awareness creates initiative.

Until now, women have been a minority in the field of engineering, which is a disadvantage in terms of expressing individual abilities. Therefore, the Faculty of Engineering at a women's university, where only women can study engineering, has attracted attention and received support from organizations both in Japan and overseas.

The founding spirit of Umeko Tsuda, which aimed to nurture independent "all-round women" who could contribute to society by acquiring specialized knowledge and a broad perspective, remains the educational philosophy of Tsuda University to this day. With a foundation in traditional English education and small-group seminars, Tsuda University has been sending out highly knowledgeable and skilled human resources to society as required by each era. In response to evolving social challenges such as declining birthrates, an aging population, globalization, and technological advancements, Tsuda University established the Department of Policy Studies at the Sendagaya Campus in 2017. This was the first such department at a women's university in Japan, aiming to develop female leaders capable of addressing societal issues. The department's curriculum focuses on three core areas: Social Science for understanding societal structures, Data Science for analyzing issues through data, and English for global communication. It also emphasizes practical learning through partnerships with companies, industries, and local governments. This paper explores the department's diverse studies, its guiding philosophy, and the career paths of its graduates, while reflecting on the social significance of the Department of Policy Studies at a women's university.