The Landmark Press Conference: Nobel Laureates Unite for Basic Research
On March 3, 2026, two of Japan's most celebrated scientists, Susumu Kitagawa from Kyoto University and Shimon Sakaguchi from Osaka University, held a joint press conference at the Japan Press Club in Tokyo. Fresh off their 2025 Nobel Prize wins—Kitagawa in Chemistry for pioneering metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and Sakaguchi in Physiology or Medicine for discovering regulatory T cells (Tregs)—they issued a passionate appeal to the government. Their message was clear: Japan must commit to long-term funding for basic research, the foundational work conducted primarily in universities that drives breakthroughs decades later.
Kitagawa emphasized that basic research outcomes do not emerge immediately, even with funding injections, taking 10 to 20 years to mature. Sakaguchi reinforced this by noting research's inherently low yield rate, urging recognition of this reality as essential for a 'cultural nation.' This event underscores a recurring theme in Japanese higher education: the need for sustained investment amid evolving global competition.
Profiles of the Laureates and Their University Legacies
Susumu Kitagawa, Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) special professor, revolutionized materials science with MOFs—porous structures from metal ions and organic linkers that store gases, separate molecules, and enable catalysis. His work at Kyoto U has spawned applications in energy storage and environmental tech, training generations of researchers.
Shimon Sakaguchi, Osaka University's Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) special honorary professor, identified Tregs in 1995. These CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells suppress excessive immune responses, preventing autoimmunity and aiding transplantation tolerance. His discoveries at Osaka U have transformed immunology, with ongoing Treg therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Both exemplify how university environments foster curiosity-driven basic research, but they warn that without reform, Japan's higher education sector risks stagnation.
Japan's Basic Research Funding Landscape in Higher Education
Basic research, defined as investigator-initiated studies without immediate applications (unlike applied research), forms the bedrock of innovation. In Japan, universities handle ~70% of public basic research, via mechanisms like the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI, 科研費)—competitive funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
Japan's total R&D spend reaches 3.7% of GDP (2023), ranking high globally, but government basic research allocation lags. Public funding for basic research is ~0.5% GDP vs. US 0.7% or Germany's 0.6%. University operational grants have declined, forcing reliance on competitive KAKENHI, which favors established PIs.
- KAKENHI supports ~30% of applications; average grant ~10M yen (~$65K USD).
- Top universities like UTokyo, Kyoto U, Osaka U capture 40%+ of funds.
- Private universities struggle, with 40% bankruptcy risk by 2040 due to enrollment drops.
For aspiring researchers, platforms like research jobs at AcademicJobs.com highlight opportunities amid these constraints.
Government's FY2026 Response: A Step Forward?
Responding to calls—including from Kitagawa and Sakaguchi—the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) proposed FY2026 KAKENHI at 2,479 billion yen, up 101 billion yen (~4%) from FY2025—the largest increase in 15 years. Young researcher slots rise by 1,000.
Kitagawa praised the direction but stressed prior inadequacy: 'It was too little until now.' Total science/tech budget: 9,863 billion yen (+86B). Yet critics note it barely offsets inflation and past cuts; national university operational grants up 188B but still below 2012 levels.
| Funding Type | FY2025 (B yen) | FY2026 Proposal (B yen) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKENHI | 2,378 | 2,479 | +101 |
| National Uni Ops Grants | ~1,100 | ~1,288 | +188 |
Challenges Facing Young Researchers in Japanese Universities
Kitagawa highlighted young faculty's limited research time: MEXT 2023 survey shows university teachers spend 45% on education/admin, only 25% research. Over 64% under-40 national uni faculty on term-limited posts, hindering independence.
- Term attachments delay tenure; many exit academia.
- Competitive funding favors seniors; young PIs get <10% KAKENHI.
- Gender gap: Women ~20% professors.
Both laureates' paths—decades at Kyoto/Osaka U—contrast today's precarity. Sakaguchi started Treg work in 1990s with stable support.Career advice for navigating this is vital.
Support Concentration: Top Universities vs. Regional Institutions
Laureates called to 'review support concentration.' Top 10 unis (UTokyo, Kyoto U, etc.) get 60% KAKENHI; regional unis suffer. Private unis, 75% higher ed enrollment, face enrollment cliffs from low births.
Osaka U's IFReC exemplifies focused excellence; Kyoto U's iCeMS global hub. But decentralization needed for nationwide innovation. Explore Japan university jobs for regional ops.
Historical Precedent: Nobel Winners' Repeated Appeals
This isn't new: 2010 Suzuki (Chemistry), 2018 Honjo (Medicine), 2015 Omura/Kajita urged basic funding post-win. Yoshino (2019 Chemistry) echoed. Pattern: Laureates leverage prestige for reform.
Japan's 28 Nobels since 2000 mostly basic research from unis, yet funding prioritized applied/tech transfer.
Nobel Chemistry 2025 | Medicine 2025International Comparisons and Lessons for Japan
US NIH/NSF allocate ~$40B basic research annually; EU Horizon Europe €95B (2021-27). Japan: ~¥1T public basic (~0.2% GDP). US unis attract global talent; Japan's intl students 400K goal met early, but researcher retention lags.
Kitagawa's MOFs inspired global unis; Sakaguchi's Tregs fuel immunotherapy worldwide. Japan must match to compete.
Implications for Higher Education Careers and Opportunities
Increased funding could boost professor jobs, postdocs. Kyoto/Osaka U thrive; others need equity. Young researchers: Build CVs via KAKENHI young grants. Postdoc positions key bridge.
Future Outlook: Toward a Research Renaissance in Japanese Universities
With FY26 boosts and laureates' advocacy, optimism grows. Reforms: Stable grants, tenure tracks, intl collab. Potential: AI/quantum/bio at unis. For careers, monitor university jobs, higher ed jobs.
Stakeholders—from MEXT to unis—must act. Explore Rate My Professor for insights; career advice for thriving. Japan's next Nobels await sustained basic research.
