2026 New Year’s greeting by Naoto Ohtake, president and CEO
Advancing toward new endeavors and milestones, swiftly yet serenely
Science Tokyo President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Naoto Ohtake
January 2026
Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) has successfully navigated its first year and three months since its founding thanks to the warm encouragement and support of our members, partners, and friends around the world. This success would not have been possible without the strong resolve and tireless efforts of the Institute’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Your drive to build a new university together has made this challenging voyage smoother, and I am sincerely grateful to you all.
Following the integration of its predecessors, Science Tokyo became one corporation and one university — a unique, newly born institution where the roles of the president and chief executive officer (CEO) and the president and chief academic officer (CAO) have complemented one another. President and CAO Yujiro Tanaka and I have placed great importance on continuous dialogue and mutual respect during our tenure, fostering trust between the new administrative team and the Science Tokyo community during Town Hall Meetings and other forums, which we will continue to hold regularly. This trust has enhanced the Institute’s ability to leverage its unique strengths as an integrated institution, another indispensable element of Science Tokyo’s journey.
Looking back on the previous year, I was delighted to see two researchers from Japan win the Nobel Prize, and to read about the outstanding research achievements of Science Tokyo researchers in various media outlets. The remarkable accomplishments of the Institute’s students in their club and other activities were also constantly on display.
Furthermore, on December 19, 2025, Science Tokyo reached a significant milestone when it was selected as a University for International Research Excellence candidate by the government of Japan. This triumph was the result of meticulous preparation and extensive discussion with all members of the Science Tokyo community, including students, and numerous stakeholders at home and abroad. Grounded in Science Tokyo's mission of “advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society," the Institute’s University for International Research Excellence scheme aims to co-create a better life, a better society, and a better planet through the power of science.
This threefold vision is propelled by Science Tokyo’s Visionary Initiatives (VIs), which together form a vision-driven, cross-disciplinary research and education framework for more open exchange of opinions, meaningful global collaboration, and ultimately, a “better, brighter future.” By fiscal year 2028, all of Science Tokyo’s approximately 1,800 researchers will participate in the VIs to lead a global ecosystem, advance cutting-edge research and education, and create significant social impact. I welcome all like-minded partners and friends to join Science Tokyo on this path toward unprecedented change.
After government accreditation and research plan approval procedures, Science Tokyo will embark on a new 25-year journey. In a way, we are now like mountaineers who have obtained a rare passport to scale a soaring, unclimbed peak. The path ahead may not be smooth. There will undoubtedly be steep challenges. However, with renewed aspirations, we will advance together as a united community open to the world.
In this constantly changing global landscape, I would like to share a reflection with the broader community. Tackling significant challenges invariably requires us to negotiate prolonged periods of uncertainty and pressure before clarity emerges. Yet these very struggles allow us to cherish the moments of joy and serenity that follow. At Science Tokyo, we are proud of the diverse community we have built together, and remain committed to advancing the physical and mental wellbeing of all individuals. By acknowledging that progress naturally flows through cycles of turbulent and tranquil times, we can move forward with both purpose and balance — swiftly yet serenely — to new endeavors and milestones.
I sincerely hope that 2026 will be a prosperous year for you all.