History

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Founded in 1917, RIKEN has a long and successful history of progressive and innovative scientific endeavor. The pages below offer an introduction to this history and the historical figures who made RIKEN the world-class institution that it is today.

Story RIKEN, the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, was formally founded on March 20, 1917 by industrialist Eiichi Shibusawa and leaders from various fields of research, modeled on the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, with an Imperial prince as President, and the mathematician Dairoku Kikuchi as its first Director.

Historical Figures Portraits of important figures in RIKEN's history.

A Century of Discovery As part of the activities to commemorate RIKEN's centennial in 2017, we have compiled a short history of the institute, guiding you through the events leading to its foundation in 1917 up to the present. Available in PDF form.