President's Greeting

Happy New Year! I am pleased to share some wonderful news as we begin 2025. Dr. Takashi Taniguchi, Executive Vice President of NIMS, and Dr. Kenji Watanabe, Specially Appointed Researcher, have been awarded the 2024 Asahi Prize for their outstanding contributions to “high-quality synthesis of boron nitride crystals and advances in quantum materials research.” This achievement is a shining example of how the NIMS vision of “Change the World with Materials” is being realized.

In recent years, the pace of scientific and technological progress has been extraordinary. Innovations in areas such as generative AI, data science, and automated experimentation are transforming the global landscape of science and technology. At the same time, the increasing importance of economic security has created multiple challenges that science and technology must address beyond purely academic pursuits.

The 5th Mid- to Long-term Plan, launched in April 2023, is now entering its second year. This plan aims to tackle next-generation societal challenges and drive technological innovation. United under the vision of "Change the World with Materials," our staff has been working diligently to deliver impactful results. However, the dynamic and rapidly evolving environment of science and technology demands that we remain agile and responsive to emerging needs throughout the seven-year duration of this plan.

In fiscal year 2025, we will address these changes by focusing on two new priority research areas: fundamental studies for novel computing devices and foundational research on hydrogen-related materials. These areas are critical to improving next-generation energy efficiency and achieving a sustainable society, and they remain highly competitive on the global stage. Particularly in hydrogen-related technologies, we will fully utilize the capabilities of the Hydrogen Environmental Materials Testing Facility, established in October 2024 through the Green Innovation Fund. By strengthening collaborations with other research institutions and industries, we aim to deliver world-leading results in this area.

In addition, next-generation semiconductors and economic security remain critical areas in which NIMS must play a key role. Advanced semiconductor materials research is considered essential to maintaining Japan's global competitiveness, and collaborations among industry, academia, and government are driving these efforts. Basic materials research serves as the backbone of these developments, and NIMS will continue to advance its research through the Leading-edge Semiconductor Technology Center (LSTC) while conducting fundamental studies to demonstrate the potential of next-generation semiconductor devices at NIMS.

To ensure the smooth progress of these initiatives, it is essential to strengthen our research environment. Expanding research activities have created a severe shortage of space, and many buildings, now over 50 years old, are showing significant signs of age. This situation poses challenges in ensuring information security and introducing state-of-the-art experimental equipment. To address these issues, the construction of a new research facility is a top priority.

In addition, we will restructure and increase our administrative staff to meet the diverse and growing needs of internationalization, extramural projects, industry collaborations, and start-up support. For many years, the number of administrative staff has remained fixed, but these changes will allow us to improve overall operational efficiency and create an environment where researchers can fully dedicate themselves to their work.

At the heart of all research are talented individuals. As Japan’s population continues to decline, securing and fostering global talent is essential for maintaining international competitiveness in materials science and technology. NIMS has established joint graduate school agreements with seven universities, including the University of Tsukuba, and employs graduate students as NIMS Junior Researchers to provide them with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research.

In addition, we are strengthening collaborations with universities in Southeast Asia and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to involve master's and doctoral students in advanced research programs at NIMS. These efforts are aimed at nurturing the next generation of talent, both domestically and internationally, who will become the driving force behind Japan's future materials industry. We are also improving working conditions for postdoctoral researchers and ICYS fellows, enhancing direct employment and career support for JSPS fellows, and establishing global career paths for young researchers to succeed on the international stage. These initiatives are designed to ensure that every researcher can reach his or her full potential.

NIMS has consistently delivered impactful results under the belief that "Change the World with Materials". By balancing basic and applied research, we are committed to exploring the limitless potential of materials science. The year 2025 will mark a new chapter of challenge and growth as we work to contribute to a sustainable and prosperous society.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and guidance in the year ahead.