Overview of the Initiative

The MEXT Element Strategy Initiative: To Form Core Research Centers is a ten-year project initiated in April 2012. The goal of this initiative is to contribute to the creation of a sustainable society through science, with the primary strategy of pioneering fundamental technologies for discovering innovative materials. To this end, a new discipline called element science was born. Element science brings together materials science, metallography, physics, chemistry, and advanced equipment analysis to transcend traditional academic frameworks. In order to ensure the steady continuation of this advanced research, the Element Strategy Initiative has been adopted as a national strategy that is directly overseen by Japan’s government.

Our research is conducted primarily at four research centers. The centers are established in research institutes and universities and carry out studies on (1) magnetic materials, (2) electronic materials, (3) catalysts and batteries, and (4) structural materials that have a direct bearing on Japan’s industrial competitiveness. Each research center comprises three research groups (analysis and evaluation, electronic theory, and materials synthesis) that conduct research activities in collaboration with each other. This research framework enables young researchers specializing in different areas to tackle a variety of issues and encourages personnel interaction and development. Through the utilization of leading research institutes in Japan, including the world’s most advanced supercomputers, synchrotron radiation facilities, and neutron beam facilities, the initiative has produced major research results.

Discussions on the administration of the Element Strategy Initiative are undertaken at steering committees held by the program’s governing body, which includes the Program Director (PD), Program Officers (PO), and expert advisors. Committees for the promotion of research headed by each research center are held to discuss the direction of research among the center directors and the expert advisors in charge of each area.

Governing boards have been established within METI and the Cabinet Office. MEXT publicizes material prototypes and other achievements aimed at practical use. METI and the Cabinet Office propose studies aimed at solving problems, and both parties investigate the best ways to promote use of intellectual property and research facilities.

Program Director, Program Officer, Expert Advisor

	Kohei Tamao PD	President Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute (Toyota RIKEN)
	Tomohiro Nakayama PO	Director, Fellow Department of Planning and Management, Center for Research and Development Strategy, Japan Science and Technology Agency
	Yoshio Hayashi PO	Creative Director, Kyoto University Open Innovation Organization
	Masanori Murakami PO	Special Aide to the President/ Assistant Trustee The Ritsumeikan University
	Hideki Iba	Project General Manager Material Platform Engineering Division, Advanced R&D and Engineering Company, Toyota Motor Corporation
	Kohei Uosaki	Fellow National Institute for Materials Science
	Kohsaku Ushioda	Senior Adviser Nippon Steel & Sumikin Research Institute Corporation
	Tohru Setoyama	Executive Fellow, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation General Manager, Setoyama Laboratory, Science & Innovation Center
	Masatoshi Takao	Former Professor of Osaka University Former Research Director of Panasonic Corporation
	Hirohisa Tanaka	Professor Kwansei Gakuin University
	Masaaki Tokunaga	General Manager (Retired) Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
	Hidetoshi Fukuyama	Adviser to the Chair and the President Tokyo University of Science
	Akihiro Miyauchi	Professor Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)
	Masanori Yuki	Senior Partner Business Development Division, AGC Inc.