April, 2026
Director KOBAYASHI, Yohei

The Institute for Solid State Physics will mark its 70th anniversary in 2027. It was established as a joint-use research institute dedicated to advancing world-class research centered on materials science. Since its founding, the Institute has pioneered cutting-edge fundamental research on materials and their properties through collaborative use and joint research, while building research networks both in Japan and internationally and contributing to the development of human resources.

At the time of ISSP’s establishment in 1957, Japan was on the verge of transitioning from postwar recovery to a period of rapid economic growth. In that era, the Institute had a major mission: to provide researchers nationwide with access to advanced equipment that individual universities could not easily maintain on their own. In subsequent generations, the Institute expanded its role beyond providing equipment and began creating original experimental instruments and research settings, thereby opening new directions in research.

In its third generation, ISSP continued to strengthen its research foundation by developing advanced experimental environments. These included high magnetic fields, high pressures, and other extreme conditions, as well as quantum-beam capabilities using advanced lasers, synchrotron radiation, and neutrons. The institute also introduced large-scale computing systems and established an integrated framework that covers materials synthesis, materials processing, and characterization. Together, these developments have enabled ISSP to support a wide range of research areas—such as surface science, biological materials, and nanostructures—while fostering a strong community of theoretical researchers.

Over the 70 years since its founding, the social landscape has changed dramatically. Japan faces a declining population and labor shortages, while the global population is expected to continue growing for decades, intensifying challenges related to energy, food, and carbon emissions. At the same time, advances in computational resources and the success of deep learning–based artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming society. Looking ahead, we anticipate the rise of "Physical AI", which observes the real world, optimizes in virtual space, and feeds results back into the physical world.

In Japan, where labor shortages are becoming increasingly severe, AI has the potential to play a critical role in sustaining society. Japan also holds strengths in the hardware that supports Physical AI, particularly in the field of materials. From semiconductor materials onward, materials science plays an essential role. Physical AI is expected to dramatically transform research practices, enabling the large-scale acquisition of high-quality experimental data in a manner analogous to operating a supercomputer. Although AI development is currently concentrated on the U.S. West Coast, the rapid commoditization of AI tools suggests that data itself will become the primary source of value in research environments.

ISSP will enter its fourth generation in April 2026. As global circumstances continue to shift, the roles expected of research institutes will also evolve. To uphold our tradition, we must continue to refine our strengths and respond to new challenges. While valuing the large-scale research infrastructure developed over many years, we will promote new initiatives within our research divisions and work to shape the next stage of ISSP through a balance of continuity and innovation. Collaboration with domestic and international research institutions—and with partners in industry, government, and academia—will remain essential. Basic research conducted at ISSP has often contributed to technologies that support society, as seen in the development of the excimer laser, now central to semiconductor lithography. As the boundary between fundamental research and practical application grows ever closer, communication between researchers and society will become increasingly important.

In this period of rapid change, human resource development is as important as research itself. The next era will be shaped not by equipment or technology alone, but by people who can effectively use them to create new value. The Institute has long provided an environment where individuals can fully utilize cutting-edge research infrastructure, learn across disciplines, and take on new challenges, thereby cultivating talent with broad academic perspectives.

As research practices continue to evolve, it is all the more important for young scientists to formulate their own questions, engage with society, and pursue research without being constrained by existing frameworks. With research and education as the two pillars of our mission, ISSP will continue to support the development of the next generation and work together with them to build the future of materials science.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and cooperation.