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Centers & Labs

In order to ensure that we can accurately grasp the latest trends in cutting-edge research and promote research and development in a way that makes the most of RIKEN's comprehensive capabilities, under the 5th Mid- to Long-Term Plan, which began in 2025, RIKEN has introduced a system of five “research domains”—mathematical, computational and information science, life science, sustainable science, and physical science, as well as pioneering sciences—with the aim to create new academic knowledge across fields, including while maintaining the research centers and other facilities that have been cultivated up to this point as the basic units of research management. Leading scientists have been appointed to oversee each research domain. This system encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration based on advanced expertise, and will accelerate the creation of new knowledge.
In addition, RIKEN is developing the TRIP (Transformative Research Innovation Platform of RIKEN platforms) concept to effectively accelerate research across research areas by linking RIKEN's cutting-edge research infrastructure.
We are also developing, operating and upgrading our flagship large-scale research infrastructure.

To search for a laboratory using the name of the principal investigator or team director, please see the list of laboratory heads.

image explaining RIKEN's organization

TRIP Initiative

The Transformative Research Innovation Platform of RIKEN platforms: TRIP initiative promotes “connecting science” across research fields, contributing to the creation of new academic knowledge and the solution of issues facing human society.

TRIP Headquarters TRIP aims to create an innovative research platform that effectively generates new fields of knowledge across research fields by cross-linking cutting-edge research platforms.
Data and Computational Sciences Integration Research Program (CoRe) CoRe promotes the expansion of computationally viable regions, the acquisition and integration of high-quality data, and research and development of prediction algorithms based on AI and mathematics to make the best use of the data, pioneering its application for challenges in diverse research fields.
Advanced General Intelligence for Science Program (AGIS) AGIS develops foundation models for scientific research trained by systematic datasets. We aim to innovate research methodologies by combining foundation models and robotized experiments/simulations.
Fundamental Quantum Science Program (FQSP) FQSP works toward the deep understanding of fundamental quantum science. We aim to create a world-class research center, form a hub for brain circulation, and foster human resources for the fundamentals of quantum science research.
RIKEN Program for Drug Discovery and Medical Technology Platforms (DMP) DMP manages a system within RIKEN to facilitate the transfer of basic research on new drugs and medical technologies, carried out both inside and outside the institute, to the pharmaceutical industry and medical institutions.
Advanced Semiconductor Science Program (ASSP) In order to deal with the explosive increase in energy consumption that is expected to accompany the extension of the computable domain, ASSP promotes basic research necessary for reducing the power consumption of semiconductor devices.
RIKEN Industrial Co-creation Program (ICoP) Under ICoP, RIKEN and industry partners share research topics and technological “seeds” to jointly forge plans for collaborations with the potential to develop into specific joint research projects and large-scale collaborative research undertakings.
RIKEN Baton Zone Program (BZP) BZP fosters collaborations with private companies, both in response to the needs of industry and to ensure the transfer of RIKEN’s scientific achievements into commercial applications through efficient technology transfer.

Pioneering Science Domain

This domain aims to contribute to the dramatic advancement of science and technology and the creation of new value, to international brain circulation through the creation of networks with top-class research institutions and researchers, and to the training of outstanding young researchers.

RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute (PRI) PRI is committed to carrying out challenging research and development, in order to create and pioneer unexplored research fields and contribute to breakthroughs in science and technology and the creation of new value.
Chief Scientist Laboratories etc In order to achieve the mission of the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Chief Scientist laboratories are established, led by scientists with outstanding research achievements, broad perspectives and excellent leadership abilities. The Chief Scientists carry out their own research based on a long-term perspective, in a way that crosses disciplinary and organizational barriers, while also considering the role of science within society, with the ultimate goal to create new fields of science.
RIKEN Hakubi Research Teams In the Hakubi Fellows Program, RIKEN offers junior PI positions for independent research by exceptionally talented individuals.
RIKEN ECL Research Team / RIKEN ECL Research Unit Outstanding junior researchers are assigned to positions according to their career stage, and can carry out research based on their own innovative thinking as a PI (RIKEN ECL Research Team Leaders / RIKEN ECL Research Unit Leaders.)

Mathematical, Computational and Information Science Domain

This domain aims to organically connect researchers in different fields and create the computational infrastructure and fundamental principles needed for the promotion of future science, technology and social change.

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) International experts in theoretical science, mathematics, and computational science leverage mathematical approaches at iTHEMS to uncover the principles of natural phenomena and drive transformative innovations for society.
RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) R-CCS operates the supercomputer Fugaku, leveraging its world-class computing power across various research fields. Upholding "science of computing, by computing, and for computing," it drives research and development to advance computational and computer sciences.
RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing (RQC) RQC develops and improves the performance of actual quantum computers based on various approaches, expands the range of computational possibilities to solve social issues, and promotes research to establish the next-generation quantum computer technologies.
RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP) AIP carries out basic theoretical research and is working to develop innovative technologies in the field of informatics, with the aim to achieve scientific breakthroughs and to contribute to the welfare of society and humanity.
RIKEN Information R&D and Strategy Headquarters (R-IH) The mission of R-IH is to promote and operate RIKEN’s information infrastructure and information research, in a strategic and integrated way. R-IH consists of two divisions and a cross-cutting research project.

Life Science Domain

This domain aims to approach the essence and totality of life, spanning different levels, time axes, and species, and the span of mechanisms of complex life, including genomes, epigenomics, and environmental factors.

RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) At IMS, we are committed to making cutting-edge contributions to medicine by focusing on genomic functions and the response of biological systems to various stimuli, while conducting state-of-the-art research on the pathogenesis and treatment of human diseases.
RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) RIKEN BDR aims to comprehensively understand the multilayered biological processes of organisms from development and birth to aging and promote research for predicting and controlling life cycle progression to find solutions to issues facing an aging society with declining birthrates, such as maintaining health throughout the life cycle.
RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) The brain is the essence of the mind, which is what makes us human. As Japan's premier research center for brain science, CBS advances basic brain research at multiple scales from genetic and cellular levels to whole body and social systems, towards the ultimate goal of benefiting society.
RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC) Bioresources are essential for research in a broad range of fields in the life sciences. Scientists at BRC are committed to collecting, preserving, and distributing bioresources of the world’s highest-level and to conducting necessary research and development.

Sustainable Science Domain

This domain aims to build sustainable societies and achieve a balance between human society and the health of the planet by carrying out research and development related to the production of biological resources, material circulation, symbiosis, and the environment, with the aim of maintaining the Global Commons.

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) Through the power of science, CSRS contributes to solving global challenges toward the realization of a sustainable circular society and preserving the global commons, and opens our future where both the Earth and humanity can live healthily together.

Physical Science Domain

This domain aims to bring together diverse researchers and further develop information processing technology and highly efficient energy conversion technology through cross-disciplinary research and discussion, with the goal of solving social issues such as the realization of Society 5.0 and creating new academic disciplines.

RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) CEMS carries out advanced research combining physics, chemistry and electronics with the aim to harness the high energy efficiency in emergent materials.
RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics (RAP) RAP is at the forefront of photonics research, paving the way for extraordinary breakthroughs in the observation, analysis and information capabilities of light.
RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science (RNC) RNC, a major research center for nuclear physics, operates one of the world’s leading accelerator complexes, where scientists explore the mysteries of atomic nuclei.
RIKEN SPring-8 Center (RSC) RSC's mission is to stably operate SPring-8 and SACLA, two large-scale research facilities, and to carry out a major renovation to increase its brightness to more than 100 times its current level, achieving the world's highest performance. We also maintain state-of-the-art technologies, through the development of utilization technology and the improvement of the Usage Environment, by using brilliant X-rays.

Large Research Infrastructure

RIKEN is involved in the development, operation and upgrading of flagship large-scale research infrastructure.

RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) R-CCS operates the supercomputer Fugaku, leveraging its world-class computing power across various research fields. Upholding "science of computing, by computing, and for computing," it drives research and development to advance computational and computer sciences.
RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC) Bioresources are essential for research in a broad range of fields in the life sciences. Scientists at BRC are committed to collecting, preserving, and distributing bioresources of the world’s highest-level and to conducting necessary research and development.
RIKEN SPring-8 Center (RSC) RSC's mission is to stably operate SPring-8 and SACLA, two large-scale research facilities, and to carry out a major renovation to increase its brightness to more than 100 times its current level, achieving the world's highest performance. We also maintain state-of-the-art technologies, through the development of utilization technology and the improvement of the Usage Environment, by using brilliant X-rays.

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