Visionary Initiatives ― Shaping the future with science
Science Tokyo introduced a new vision-driven integrated research framework across the Institute in April 2025 to create enhanced societal impact across various key areas. Driving the model forward are newly established Visionary Initiatives (VIs) — international, multi-sectoral hubs that strive to solve critical societal issues based on “visions for the future.” These VIs are significantly transforming Science Tokyo’s current research framework, which was vertically divided by disciplinary fields such as the medical and dental sciences, science and engineering, informatics, and the liberal arts, into a cross-disciplinary approach.
This is accelerating integrated research, boosting collaboration in fields such as medicine and engineering — one of the goals of the merger between Science Tokyo’s predecessor universities — and creating an ecosystem that generates innovations together with diverse partners and organizations across society.
Science Tokyo's Six Visionary Initiatives
Science Tokyo aims to establish six VIs by FY 2025, and eventually, nine in total. The goal is to involve all researchers, mainly from the medical and dental sciences, and science and engineering, in the activities of one or more VIs by FY 2028. A program director (PD) who oversees research will be appointed for each VI, and approximately 60 principal investigators (PIs) will be assigned under each PD at the time of launch, encouraging researchers at home and abroad to contribute to the VIs with which they share their vision.
Better Life — Realizing prosperity for all
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Total Health Design — Achieving the health and wellbeing of all
Program Director: Fumihiko Ishikawa -
Well-Vitality Science — Each person achieving a mentally rich and diverse life
Program Director: Kumi Kuroda
Better Society — Pioneering new frontiers
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Innovative-Life Society — Cyber-physical spaces opening up new areas of life
Program Director: Kei Sakaguchi -
Space Innovation — Developing space life zones
Program Director: Yasuhito Sekine
Better Planet — Achieving sustainability on Earth
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GX Frontier — Realizing cutting-edge science and technology to make green transformation a reality
Program Director: Mika Goto -
Resilience-Tech Society — Achieving a society resilient to disasters and pandemics
Program Director: Tomoko Ishino
Better Life — Realizing prosperity for all
Visionary Initiative: Total Health Design
Message from the PD: Total Health Design
Looking back over the past decade, science and technology have brought us convenient and rich lives. Yet, there are some diseases that we are still unable to defeat. As a physician-scientist specializing in leukemia, I believe and also have learned from my colleagues and collaborators that the key to developing curative treatments for such difficult-to-treat diseases lies in collaborative effort across disciplines and wish to save lives that are shared across generations. With the momentum of the Science Tokyo launch, we stand at the dawn of a new era. Here, we find a unique convergence of compassionate commitment to patients and the sharp expertise of professionals across fields. Under the Visionary Initiative “Total Health Design,” we are committed to achieving the health and well-being of all. Together, we will continue to move forward in pursuit of this vision.
Visionary Initiative: Well-Vitality Science
Message from the PD: Well-Vitality Science
Everyone begins life as a baby, growing up under family care. As we grow, we support one another in families, workplaces, and communities, and eventually grow old. To support diverse forms of fulfilling lives throughout these stages, researchers from various fields have come together under the Visionary Initiative “Well-vitality.” Their work spans diverse areas—from extending cognitive capacities in aging brains to creating advanced technologies that help even those less physically inclined enjoy sports and foster mental and physical well-being. My goal is to provide real-life childcare support through neuroscience and information technology. By bringing together these efforts, we aim to help realize the future envisioned by this initiative. Please look forward to what's to come.
Better Society — Pioneering new frontiers
Visionary Initiative: Innovative-Life Society
Message from the PD: Innovative-Life Society
With the rapid advancement of AI, quantum science, and robotics, we stand on the threshold a new era—Super Smart Society. In this emerging society, physical and cyber spaces will marge, and collaboration between humans and AI/robots will generate unprecedented industries and new value. This Visionary Initiative outlines a bold vision of a future shaped by science and technology, spanning food, industry, cities, and healthcare. By working together with researchers and partners who resonate with this vision, we aim to co-create a future where: 1) Sustainable economic growth and innovation thrive, 2) A healthy, rich food culture is supported by stable supply, 3) Autonomous driving eliminates traffic accidents, and 4) Everyone can live an active 100-year life. Let us bring this future to life—together.
Visionary Initiative: Space Innovation
Message from the PD: Space Innovation
Since ancient times, humanity has sought to understand the universe to shape our worldview and ask who we are. Today, science explores the origins of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, while humanity begins expanding its presence to the Moon and Mars—a leap akin to life’s ancient move from sea to land. With the vision of “Space Innovation” we aim to explore not only the technologies that answer how we can live in space, but also the deeper question of why humanity seeks to expand beyond Earth. What societies might emerge on the Moon and Mars? How might the discovering extraterrestrial life reshape our view of life? By leading innovation in space, we will return its value to people on Earth.
Better Planet — Achieving sustainability on Earth
Visionary Initiative: GX Frontier
Message from the PD: GX Frontier
My field of expertise is energy economics. To efficiently utilize clean and sufficient energy, we need technological innovation grounded in engineering and the natural sciences. At the same time, realizing the full societal benefit of these technologies depends on advancing research in economic and social systems. Science Tokyo is home to many researchers with proven excellence across these domains. Through our Visionary Initiative, we unite diverse expertise under a shared vision to pioneer the frontier of green transformation—building a society where people can live healthy, comfortable lives in harmony with the planet.
Visionary Initiative: Resilience-Tech Society
Message from the PD: Resilience-Tech Society
Each year, nearly 600,000 children around the world still lose their lives to malaria. The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us how easily microscopic pathogens can cross borders and disrupt our lives—and how difficult it is for individuals or even nations to face such threats alone. To respond to both current and future infectious diseases, we must work together globally to develop effective technologies and systems. Japan, a country prone to natural disasters, also has much to contribute. By applying lessons learned from past disaster damage, we can develop systems to minimize harm to lives and livelihoods—and share those insights with the world. This Visionary Initiative reflects a strong desire: to protect lives and everyday life on Earth from pandemics and natural disasters by nurturing basic research and strengthening collaboration across disciplines and borders. Together with society, we aim to turn that vision into reality.
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