RIKEN's management provides the leadership, direction and oversight necessary to maximize the potential of a fast-moving organization with thousands of scientists working in a wide array of research fields. Following the selection of RIKEN as one of three Designated National Research and Development Institutes in 2016, the institute's management has adopted an initiative to maximize research outcomes, based on five pillars: pioneer a research management model for maximizing research and development results, lead the world in achieving new research and development results through scientific excellence, become a hub for science and technology innovation, serve as a focal point for global brain circulation, and foster the development of world-class leaders in scientific research. For details on RIKEN's organizational structure, please see this page with detailed PDFs.

Charting a Vision for Research

In today’s world, where advances in science and technology are so rapid, scientists are required to draw and put into reality a vision of the future. RIKEN has established an Innovation Design Office, where officers designated as innovation designers formulate a vision of a future society and scenarios to realize it.

Board of Executive Directors

RIKEN's highest policy-making body is the Board of Executive Directors, composed of the president and executive directors. RIKEN also has two auditors which oversee the activities of RIKEN as a whole.

Executive Directors

Governance

Individual research centers at each campus are managed by a director who exercises strong leadership in the strategic management of the center. In making decisions on the direction of research and administration, RIKEN strives to strike a balance between top-down and bottom-up approaches by seeking the advice and cooperation of committees and councils established with the aim of achieving optimal scientific governance.

Advisory Councils

Interim RIKEN Advisory Council in 2021

RIKEN regularly evaluates its own research themes and the performance of its scientists based on governmental guidelines. In carrying out this important work, RIKEN is guided by the RIKEN Advisory Council (RAC) and the individual centers' Advisory Councils.

The RIKEN Advisory Council is composed of world-famous scientists, both Japanese and international, as well as individuals with experience in managing research institutes. The RAC meeting, held every two or three years, provides recommendations on both general research activities and the overall management of RIKEN, and provides guidance on future research strategies and improvement to management structures.

• Read the reports from previous RAC meetings.
• Read more about RIKEN's governance in its reports.

The individual Advisory Councils for centers are bodies set up in each research center and institute to receive recommendations from eminent Japanese and international scientists in their respective fields of research. The council recommendations form an integral part of the ongoing appraisal of RIKEN's performance as a scientific research organization.