The Birth of Institute of Science Tokyo: A Merger for Innovation
In a landmark development for Japan's higher education landscape, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT, full name Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) has approved the Research System Strengthening Plan of the Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo). This national university, known in Japanese as 東京科学大学, was formed on October 1, 2024, through the merger of two prestigious institutions: the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), renowned for its engineering and science excellence, and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), a leader in medical and dental research.
The merger aimed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly between engineering and medicine, to tackle complex societal challenges. Science Tokyo now operates with 14 departments spanning Earth and Planetary Sciences, Life Science and Technology, Basic Medicine, Physics, and more, positioning it as a hub for integrated research. This union combines Tokyo Tech's technological prowess with TMDU's clinical expertise, creating synergies expected to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, sustainability, and beyond.
MEXT's Approval and the Universities for International Research Excellence Program
On February 27, 2026, MEXT Minister Yohei Matsumoto granted final approval to Science Tokyo's 25-year plan under the Universities for International Research Excellence program (国際卓越研究大学プログラム). Selected as a candidate on December 19, 2025, and accredited on January 23, 2026, the institute becomes the second university after Tohoku University to receive this designation.
The program, enacted via the Act on Strengthening Systems for Leveraging Research and Research Results of Universities for International Research Excellence (Act No. 51, 2022), supports select universities in achieving world-class status. Funding comes from returns on the government's ¥10 trillion University Endowment Fund, with annual subsidies up to ¥300 billion distributed performance-based, primarily on external funding raised. Support lasts up to 25 years, emphasizing research infrastructure, talent, and societal impact.
Initial Funding Allocation: ¥12.4 Billion for FY2026
Science Tokyo will receive approximately ¥12.4 billion (124億円) in fiscal year 2026 (starting April 1), roughly 80% allocated to research personnel. This exceeds ¥10 billion mark, comparable to Tohoku University's ¥15.4 billion first-year grant. Future amounts hinge on milestones like external funding growth.
The endowment fund invests principal conservatively to generate stable returns above inflation (target 3%+), funding elite universities to reverse Japan's lag in high-impact research. Experts note this addresses chronic underfunding, where Japan spends ~$400K per researcher vs. $600K+ in the U.S.
Visit Science Tokyo's official site for more on their vision.
Core Goals of the 25-Year Strengthening Plan
The plan outlines ambitious targets: boost medical-engineering collaboration papers from 963 to 7,078; achieve ¥72.5 billion annual private research funding (11x current); launch 1,000 startups, focusing on healthcare and deep tech; secure 10% annual growth in corporate funding.
- Build ¥1 trillion endowment for financial autonomy.
- 40% female researchers, 30% international by targets.
- Co-create ecosystem with global partners via Visionary Initiatives (VIs).
President Naoto Ohtake emphasized collaboration: "Science Tokyo cannot execute its plan alone... We ask for your continued support."
Visionary Initiatives: Driving Cross-Disciplinary Research
Central to the plan are six Visionary Initiatives (VIs) under three themes—Better Life, Better Society, Better Planet—expanding to nine by FY2028. Each VI, led by a Program Director and ~60 PIs, unites experts for societal solutions.
- Better Life: Total Health Design (health for all), Well-Vitality Science (mental richness).
- Better Society: Innovative-Life Society (cyber-physical spaces), Space Innovation (space life zones).
- Better Planet: GX Frontier (green transformation), Resilience-Tech Society (disaster resilience).
The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME), launched July 2025, serves as an innovation hub with a hospital for med-eng fusion.
Japan Times coverage highlights reform pledges.
Educational Reforms: Toward a Single Graduate School System
Education aligns with research goals, transitioning to a single graduate school by 2028 for entrants. The "Science and Technology for Health Care and Medicine" program integrates fields, with cross-enrollment and English-taught courses (90%+ grad level).
Undergrad features "Integrated Medical, Dental, and Science and Engineering Program"; quarter system for flexibility; wedge-shaped curriculum blending liberal arts and specialization; achievement-based progression. Global focus: study abroad by Master's, data science/AI mandatory.
For faculty seeking roles in such dynamic environments, explore research jobs or higher ed faculty positions.
Leadership Vision and Stakeholder Perspectives
President and CAO Yujiro Tanaka views this as "a new starting line," committing to world-leading achievements. Minister Matsumoto hopes Science Tokyo leads Japan's research education.
Experts praise the merger's potential but urge addressing Japan's research decline—university subsidies down 13% in 20 years. Nobel laureate Takaaki Kajita calls for bolder reforms. Stakeholders see startup ecosystem as key to economic impact.
Economic Impacts and Japan's Research Renaissance
This funding counters Japan's high-impact research lag, boosting GDP via innovations. Targets like 1,000 startups could create jobs, attract FDI. Compared to Tohoku (first recipient), Science Tokyo's med-eng focus differentiates it.
Broader context: FY2026 MEXT budget up, kakenhi at ¥247.9B record. For professionals, opportunities abound in Japan academic jobs.
Photo by taro ohtani on Unsplash
Challenges, Solutions, and Future Outlook
Challenges include governance, diversity (target 30% int'l faculty), funding competition. Solutions: VIs ecosystem, BME hub, endowment building. Outlook: By 2050, Science Tokyo could rival global tops, driving Japan's STI Basic Plan.
In summary, this approval marks a pivotal step. Aspiring researchers, check higher ed jobs, rate my professor, career advice, university jobs. Post a job at /recruitment.
