Message from the Director

Director SHIMAKAWA, Yuichi
(Professor, Laboratory of Advanced Solid State Chemistry)

The Institute for Chemical Research (ICR) has consistently embarked on diverse and innovative pioneering research by flexibly and actively adapting to the changing times, while keeping in mind the founding vision of “excelling in the investigation of the basic principles of chemistry and their applications”. The history of our activities and development will reach 100 years in a year and a half. We would like to express our respect for this history and tradition, and based on the many achievements of our predecessors, we will make further efforts to develop cutting-edge science to create a more prosperous future.

At present, the Institute is organized into five research divisions (Synthetic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, and Multidisciplinary Chemistry) and three research centers (Advanced Research Center for Beam Science, International Research Center for Elements Science, and Bioinformatics Center), and conducts research activities. It also contributes to the education and the development of students and young researchers at Kyoto University through its affiliation with 11 courses in 6 graduate schools (Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, and Informatics). The fact that the current organization of the ICR is fully functional is demonstrated by the fact that in recent years we have received a number of major research grants, have developed joint industry-academia research, and have received many awards for our faculty members and students. In addition, these fundamental research and education activities have been further developed as “the Global Frontier and Interdisciplinary Research Core in ICR for Deepening Investigation and Promoting Collaboration in Chemistry-oriented Fields” which promotes international joint usage and research, and has produced many international collaboration research results and achievements in international exchange of young people.

However, having witnessed rapid changes in society and advances in technology that were unimaginable just a few years ago, I feel strongly that it is time to reconsider the organizations and operations that are needed now. At the same time, in order to break through the current situation of research and education in Japan, Kyoto University is considering various organizational reforms to continue to be an internationally competitive research and education institution under the Universities for International Research Excellence program proposed by the government. At our ICR, I also feel that the time has come to discuss the role we should play in the world from a broad perspective, with a view to future social development and future science and technology.

In this context, it is sometimes important to look back on the role that the ICR has played throughout its long history. As part of the ICR’s centenary celebrations, the lecture “The History of Chemistry in Kyoto and the History of the Institute for Chemical Research” was held in December 2024, and we learned once again that the technologies that support society are always based on fundamental scientific research. We also learned that the ICR has at times made the decision to accept major changes in the direction of its research, and has been prepared to take the plunge into unknown territory. These things give us great courage as we move forward into the future. As we approach the 100-year milestone, I would like to discuss the future vision of the ICR with faculty and students, and look forward to the development of science in the future.

This year, we have asked most of the members of the internal committees, including both Vice Directors Tatsuo Kurihara and Toshiharu Teranishi, and International Joint Research Station Director Teruo Ono, to remain in their positions, in order to maintain a continuous management structure, while at the same time beginning a comprehensive discussion on the further development of the ICR and a new future. We would like to ask for your continued understanding and support.

April 2025

Our Mission

The founding philosophy of the ICR is to “excel in the investigation of the basic principles of chemistry and their applications,” and the core values of its research lie both in independence and integration. Following this philosophy and core values, the ICR is dedicated to solving global chemical challenges to benefit society.

Research:

Our research is based on examining fundamental questions about the wide field of chemistry with a viewpoint that considers how answering these questions will contribute to solving ever-changing global challenges.

Education:

Providing excellent research opportunities in a world-class enviroment, we train our people to have high-level problem solving skills and leadership skills to globally push forward the field of chemistry. Our success comes from the success of our students becoming top scientists in chemistry.

Outreach :

As researchers and educators of chemistry, we endeavor to deepen our exchanges with local communities and Japan as a whole. At the same time, we actively work with international researchers and institutions to solve global problems. By joining the ICR, researchers have the accountability to the public and the opportunity to work closely with leading scientists around the world.