Message from the
Chairperson
Chairperson
UEDA Teruhisa
Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, Shimadzu Corporation
Contributing to the development of an ideal future society as a hub for the creation of knowledge
The International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS) has been continuing its activities as a core research institute of Keihanna Science City while upholding its basic philosophy of “uncovering what must be studied for the future and happiness of humanity” since its founding in 1984.
IIAS has nurtured a spirit of “Beyond Boundaries,” where researchers with diverse expertise gather to boldly tackle the complex and multifaceted challenges of modern society, transcending research domains, generations, organizations, and nationalities. In the face of unpredictable changes in the modern world, such as global climate change, environmental issues, increasing geopolitical risks, and remarkable advancements in cutting-edge science and technology, including generative AI and autonomous driving, I am confident that IIAS’s advanced interdisciplinary approach, which integrates insights from different specialized fields and approaches fundamental problems from multiple perspectives, is becoming increasingly crucial.
This year, in conjunction with the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, Keihanna Science City is hosting the Keihanna Expo 2025 under the theme, “Contributing to Future Society – Solutions for the Next Generation.” To actively contribute to this international exchange event, IIAS is planning and organizing international symposiums and other events, aiming to disseminate our research findings and deepen discussions regarding future society.
We are committed to further development by building upon the valuable assets cultivated through IIAS’s past activities, honing our adaptability to a rapidly changing new era, and proactively collaborating with other institutions. As a hub for the creation of knowledge, we are determined to double our efforts to contribute to the realization of the ideal future for humanity. We sincerely request your continued understanding and support.
Message from the
Director-General
Director-General
NISHIO Shojiro
Professor Emeritus and the 18th president, Osaka University
Striving for deeper growth and innovation cultivated through co-creation to fully realize our latent potential.
It was with great honor that I accepted the appointment as the 9th Director-General of the International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS), a core research institution of Keihanna Science City, on October 1, 2025, in IIAS’s 41st year.
IIAS was established with the strong support from the business community and government under the founding philosophy, “uncovering what must be studied for the future and happiness of humanity,” proposed by the first Chairman, Dr. OKUDA Azuma. With an operational structure without permanent researchers, IIAS stands out as a rare entity within Japan’s academic community as it steadily advances its mission. I consider it a great privilege to serve as the Director-General of such a distinguished institution.
Given the crucial role of Vice Directors, we have appointed a total of three. Together with myself as the Director-General, we will oversee different specialized domains and manage systems covering a wide range of academic fields, ensuring the effectiveness of IIAS’s distinctive governance. Already, we have launched new management approaches aimed at forming academic and personal networks by leveraging our extensive connections.
The Three Vice Directors:
・ AKAMATSU Tamame (Professor Emeritus and Former President of Kyoto City University of Arts, and Artist)
・ KOBAYASHI Tadashi (Director-General of the Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and Professor Emeritus of the University of Osaka)
・ YAMADA Michio (Specially Appointed Professor of the Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Kyoto University, and Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University)
IIAS has promoted co-creative activities that bring together the power of transdisciplinary academic research and gather diverse researchers to tackle complex and multifaceted social challenges. Precisely because the future has become even more difficult to foresee, we are committed to a new IIAS structure to strive for deeper growth and innovation cultivated through co-creation to fully realize our latent potential.
Furthermore, we will identify and address social challenges through collaboration with the business sector, form communities that create new value for the resolution of these challenges, and engage in interdisciplinary research aimed at linking deeper knowledge made possible through co-creation dialogues to social transformation. We would be most honored to receive your continued support and generosity.