President's Activities
2024
Discussion on cooperation between RIKEN and Belgium (November 28, 2024)
President Gonokami discussed cooperation between RIKEN and research institutes in Belgium with H.E. Mr. Antoine Evrard, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium.
(From left) President Gonokami, Ambassador Evrard
Exchange of opinions on the state of science and technology in Japan and the UK (November 6, 2024)
President Gonokami exchanged opinions with UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser Dame Angela McLean on the Wako campus regarding the state of science and technology in Japan and the UK.
President Gonokami and Professor Dame Angela McLean (right)
Thirteenth Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders (October 5, 2024)
On October 5, President Gonokami acted as co-chair, along with Antoine Petit of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), of the Thirteenth Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders. The summit which is co-hosted by RIKEN and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is held yearly in Kyoto, coinciding with the STS forum. The theme this year was “Reducing our ecological footprint without compromising research excellence.” See a more detailed news article.
President Gonokami chairs the 13th Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders
RIKEN-BNL Joint Workshop (October 4, 2024)
On October 4, President Gonokami participated in a joint workshop between RIKEN and BNL on the themes of quantum computing and quantum information science, nuclear physics and fundamental quantum physics. At the lunch time session, he gave a greeting at a memorial session to honor the achievements of Prof. Tsung-Dao Lee, the first director of the RIKEN-BNL Research Center, who passed away in August of this year. For more information, see this news article.
President Gonokami gives speech at the Memorial Session
Global Commons Forum (October 8, 2024)
President Gonokami attended the Global Commons Forum, which was co-hosted by RIKEN, the University of Tokyo, and the Global Commons Center (CGC) at the University of Tokyo, and which was held in a hybrid format at the Tokyo Marunouchi Building Hall. See full article here.


Discussion on cooperation between RIKEN and Finland (October 6, 2024)
At the Kyoto International Conference Center, President Gonokami exchanged opinions with Her Excellency Ms. Sari Multala, the Minister of Science and Culture of the Republic of Finland, regarding research collaboration between RIKEN and research institutes in Finland.
Minister Sari Multala, President Makoto Gonokami
Discussion on cooperation between RIKEN and the Republic of Korea (October 5, 2024)
At the Kyoto International Conference Center, President Gonokami exchanged opinions with Dr. Yoo Sang-im, Minister of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, regarding research collaboration between RIKEN and Korean government research institutions.
(From left) Minister Yoo Sang-Im, President Makoto Gonokami
Pioneering the Future Through “Science that Connects” (October 2, 2024)
Interview with President Makoto Gonokami: Creating a Scientific Research Structure to Break New Ground through Collaboration
RIKEN is home to outstanding researchers in a broad range of fields of fundamental science and a rich array of research platforms. RIKEN President Makoto Gonokami has proposed the concept of "Transformative Research Innovation Platform of RIKEN platforms” (TRIP), which aims to organically link these assets to create new knowledge and pave the way for a better future. In the midst of rapid changes in the industrial structure and mounting global environmental challenges, as well as dramatic advances in AI, quantum computing, and semiconductor technology, RIKEN is working to fully leverage its strengths to generate new wisdom for solving social issues and bringing about social change.
Read more: https://www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs/research_news/rr/20241002_1/index.html
Discussion on cooperation between RIKEN and the Max Planck Society (April 9, 2024)
President Gonokami discussed cooperation between RIKEN and Max Planck Society with Prof. Dr. Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society. On the same day, at the “Reception to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Cooperation between the Max Planck Society and RIKEN” held at the official residence of the German Ambassador to Japan H.E. Dr. Clemens von Goetze, he exchanged views with attendees from both Japan and Germany.
Executive Director Makiko Naka (3rd from left), Executive Director Minoru Yoshida (5th), Executive Director Kohei Miyazono (7th), President Makoto Gonokami (9th), President Patrick Cramer (10th), Vice President / Director at the MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Christian Doeller (11th), Director at the MPI for Nuclear Physics Klaus Blaum (12th), Director at the MPI for Medical Research Joachim Spatz (14th)
(From left) President Makoto Gonokami, Ambassador Clemens von Goetze, President Patrick Cramer, Ambassador Misako Kaji
RIKEN and Argonne National Laboratory sign MOU on AI for Science (April 5, 2024)
On April 5, 2024, RIKEN and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on AI for Science (Innovation in Scientific Research Using AI).


Discussion on cooperation between RIKEN and India (February 28, 2024)
President Gonokami discussed cooperation between RIKEN and research institutes in India with H. E. Mr. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan.
(5th and 6th from left) President Makoto Gonokami, Ambassador Sibi George
Discussion on cooperation between RIKEN and Belgium (February 27, 2024)
President Gonokami was invited to the official residence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to exchange views with H. E. Mr. Antoine Evrard, Ambassador of Belgium to Japan, on research cooperation between RIKEN and Belgian research institutions.
(Front row, 3rd and 4th from left) President Makoto Gonokami, Ambassador Antoine Evrard
RIKEN Research Policy Retreat (February 1, 2024)
RIKEN holds an annual Research Policy Retreat, bringing together those involved in the institute’s management, with the goal to create a shared understanding of management philosophy and to broadly discuss RIKEN’s medium- to long-term research policy and other directions, and to reflect these in management policy. At this fiscal year's meeting, lively discussions were held on activities in anticipation of the next Mid- to Long-Term Plan, with the participation of the Executive Directors, including the President, the Center Directors, and outside experts who are members of the Committee for RIKEN Strategy.
2023
Discussion on cooperation between RIKEN and Korea (December 27, 2023)
President Gonokami discussed cooperation between RIKEN and Republic of Korea Government Research Institutes with Dr. Lee Jong Ho, the Korean Minister of Science and ICT. See a more detailed news article.
(From left) President Makoto Gonokami, Minister Lee Jong Ho
President Gonokami co-chairs Twelfth Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders (September 30, 2023)
On September 30, President Gonokami acted as co-chair, along with Iain Stewart of the National Research Council Canada, of the Twelfth Global Summit of Research Institute Leaders. The summit which is co-hosted by RIKEN and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is held yearly in Kyoto, coinciding with the STS forum. The theme this year was “Challenges facing research institutions from potentially disruptive technologies, in particular generative AI.” See a more detailed news article.
President Gonokami surrounded by co-chair Iain Stewart (left) and moderator Stefan Noreen (right)
President Gonokami meets Students from the Masason Foundation (August 8, 2023)
One August 8, President Gonokami met a group of nine students from the Masason Foundation visiting the Wako campus to learn about RIKEN’s quantum computer and accelerator facility, featuring the Superconducting Ring Cyclotron (SRC).
The Masaon Foundation provides an environment where young people with "high aspirations" and "exceptional talents" can develop their skills. President Gonokami serves as a director of the foundation.
The students who visited ranged in age from 14 to 21, and came from Japan and overseas. Throughout the tour, they engaged in a lively exchange of ideas with the researchers.
At the end of the visit, they had the chance to meet with the president, who encouraged them by saying, "I hope you will pursue a career in science, and I would be happy to see you as a RIKEN researcher in the near future.”
Discussion on cooperation between RIKEN and India (August 7, 2023)
President Gonokami discussed cooperation between RIKEN and India with Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
(From left) President Makoto Gonokami, PSA Ajay Kumar Sood
Meeting with President of United Nations University (August 2, 2023)
President Gonokami received a visit at RIKEN’s Tokyo Office by Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University. The two discussed future collaboration between RIKEN and the university.
(From left) RIKEN Executive Director Makiko Naka, United Nations University Senior Vice-Rector Sawako Shirahase, RIKEN President Makoto Gonokami, United Nations University Rector Tshilidzi Marwala, United Nations University Program Manager Nicolas du Bois
Singapore’s deputy prime minister visits RIKEN (April 25, 2023)
On April 25, Heng Swee Keat, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, came to RIKEN’s Tokyo office to meet with President Gonokami and learn about the RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), which is carrying out research in the area of artificial intelligence.
The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by a delegation from various ministries and government organizations from Singapore, including Andy Hor, Deputy CEO of A*STAR, an organization with which RIKEN has a memorandum of understanding for research collaboration.
The visit began with addresses from President Gonokami and the Deputy Prime Minister, followed by introductions of RIKEN and AIP. Following discussions, the delegation was given a tour of the laboratories of AIP, which are located at RIKEN’s Tokyo Campus.
(From left) Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat, President Makoto Gonokami
Discussion
Addresses from President Makoto Gonokami
RIKEN Policy Retreat (February 1, 2023)
For the first time in four years, the RIKEN Policy Retreat was held in-person, in addition to being streamed online. The February 1 retreat allowed for personnel involved in RIKEN’s management to meet in one place, and in addition to sharing operational principles, they broadly discussed the direction of mid-to long-term research to reflect in RIKEN’s operational policies. Executive directors under the president, center directors, and external experts who are members of the RIKEN Strategy Committee carried out lively discussions on ways to reach a broader range of researchers and how to retain talented scientists from within Japan and from overseas.
2022
Discussion on the goals of the EU and RIKEN (December 12, 2022)
President Gonokami attended an informal lunch meeting where he discussed the relationship between RIKEN and the the European Union with EU Ambassador-Designate to Japan Jean-Eric Paquet.

Clockwise, from left: President Gonokami, First Counsellor Gediminas Ramanauskas of the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, RIKEN International Affairs Division Director Kenichi Fujita, and Ambassador Paquet
Discussion on the future collaboration between RIKEN and Italy (December 9, 2022)
President Gonokami discussed the current state and future of cooperation between RIKEN and Italy with Italian Ambassador Gianluigi Benedetti and Enrico Traversa, Science & Technology Counsellor of the Embassy of Italy in Tokyo.

(from left) Italian Ambassador Gianluigi Benedetti, Science & Technology Counsellor Enrico Traversa, Executive Director Makiko Naka, President Makoto Gonokami