Commemorative Lecture Event Held to Mark Designation of the Machikane Crocodylidae Fossil as a Natural Monument

On September 30, 2026, The University of Osaka held a commemorative lecture event titled “Could the UOsaka’s Treasure Be the Origin of Dragon Legends?” at the University of Osaka Hall on the Toyonaka Campus.
The event was held to commemorate the designation of the Machikane Crocodylidae (Toyotamaphimeia machikanensis) fossil, discovered on the Toyonaka Campus in 1964, as a National Natural Monument. It is the sixth site in Osaka Prefecture to receive such a designation and the first in 69 years. Approximately 350 people from both within and outside the university attended the event.

President KUMANOGOH Atsushi delivering the opening remarks

Among the distinguished guests attending the lecture were MIWA Yoshihide, Director at the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and OSANAI Shigeki, Mayor of Toyonaka City, along with many other individuals involved. A congratulatory message from ITO Gakuji, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, was read on his behalf, and Mayor OSANAI also delivered congratulatory remarks. They celebrated the designation of the Machikane Crocodylidae fossil as a Natural Monument and expressed their hopes that its significance and appeal would gain even greater recognition.

(Left) Director MIWA of the Agency for Cultural Affairs reading a congratulatory message from Commissioner ITO; (right) Mayor OSANAI delivering congratulatory remarks

The event featured commemorative lectures by EGUCHI Taro, Professor Emeritus at UOsaka, and KOBAYASHI Yoshitsugu, Professor at the Hokkaido University Museum and Visiting Professor at the Museum of Osaka University.
UOsaka’s official mascot, Dr. Wani, also made an appearance, and participants enjoyed a fossil-themed quiz, making the event both fun and educational.

Professor Emeritus EGUCHI delivering a lecture titled “From the Discovery of the Fossil to Its Designation as a Natural Monument”

Professor KOBAYASHI delivering a lecture titled “Machikane Crocodylidae from a Paleontological Perspective”

Dr. Wani, making an appearance during the quiz

Prior to the event, a preview for those involved was held at the Museum of Osaka University.
President KUMANOGOH also attended the preview, which showcased some of UOsaka’s most notable academic assets, including the Machikane Crocodylidae fossil, and an official replica of the Nobel Prize medal awarded to UOsaka’s Distinguished Honorary Professor SAKAGUCHI Shimon, a recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

(Left) A scene from the preview; (right) President KUMANOGOH listening to an explanation by Professor KOBAYASHI

Following the event, a reception was held, providing an opportunity for the speakers, distinguished guests, and participants to interact and deepen their connections.
The commemorative lecture event provided an opportunity to raise broader awareness of the value and appeal of our invaluable academic assets, including the fossil, while also strengthening our ties with society through academic and cultural exchange.

(Left) Former UOsaka President NISHIO Shojiro proposing a toast; (right) Professor Emeritus SUZUKI Naoshi, former Senior Executive Vice President of UOsaka, delivering the closing remarks

We will continue to promote co-creation between academia and society, led by the Social Value Design Organization established in April 2026, by sharing the knowledge, research achievements, and cultural assets accumulated within the university with society and collaborating with a diverse range of partners. Through these efforts, we aim to contribute to addressing societal challenges and realizing a sustainable future society.

share !