Aug. 14, 2025
R-CCS Center Director Matsuoka receives award from Singapore government
Satoshi Matsuoka, Director of RIKEN R-CCS, has been selected to receive the Public Service Medal (Friends of Singapore) at the Singapore National Day Awards 2025. These awards recognize various achievements and contributions to Singapore, and the Public Service Medal (Friends of Singapore) is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in fields such as the arts, science, and business. This is the fourth time a Japanese has received this award, and the first time in the field of science.
Dr. Matsuoka has served as a key strategic advisor to the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) Singapore since 2013 and continues to play an active role as a member of its steering committee. Over the past decade, he has been instrumental in driving the evolution of High Performance Computing (HPC) in Singapore and has played a crucial role in enhancing the country's standing within the global HPC community.
In addition, he has promoted cooperation between Japan and Singapore in HPC, AI, and quantum computing, including the supercomputer Fugaku, and has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the HPC field in Singapore.
This year marks the 60th National Day anniversary of Singapore, and the award ceremony is scheduled to be held in November by the President of Singapore.
Upon receiving the award, Dr. Matsuoka said:
“I am deeply and profoundly honored to be awarded the Public Service Medal by the President of the Republic of Singapore. To receive this prestigious honor on Singapore's commemorative 60th National Day is a moment of immense pride and emotion for me. I am humbled to learn that I am only the fourth Japanese citizen, and the first from the research and academic community, to be bestowed with this accolade. This recognition resonates with the same sense of honor I felt upon receiving the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. I view these honors not just as personal achievements, but as a testament to the collective efforts of many."
“This award is a reflection of the remarkable and fruitful collaboration between Singapore and Japan. My contributions have been made possible by the unwavering support and collaborative spirit of my brilliant colleagues at Singapore's National Supercomputer Centre (NSCC) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), as well as my dedicated teams at RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS). I am merely a representative of our shared vision and the incredible scientific outcomes we have achieved together. It is their passion and dedication that have truly made the difference, and I am eternally grateful to each and every one of them."
“Our collaboration has not only advanced the frontiers of high-performance computing and scientific research but has also forged a strong bridge of friendship and mutual respect between our two nations. As we look forward to commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore in 2026, I hope this award serves as a shining symbol of our enduring partnership and our shared commitment to a future driven by innovation and discovery. I am more committed than ever to continuing our work together, to push the boundaries of what is possible, and to contribute to the prosperity of both our nations and the world. Thank you, Singapore, for this incredible honor."