Uncovering what must be studied
for the future and happiness of humanity

Humanity is currently facing challenges threatening our very survival. Can humanity continue to exist on this planet, considering what we value and our current way of life? The International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS) operates under the founding philosophy of “uncovering what must be studied for the future and happiness of humanity” and aims to envision the culture, science, and technology that should exist in the 21st century. Through basic and foundational research, we seek to predict and explore solutions to issues faced by global society.

With the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, USA, and the Berlin Institute for Advanced Study (Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin) in Berlin, Germany, serving as benchmarks, efforts to develop a unique institute for advanced studies in Japan were underway since the late 1970s.The International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS) was established as an incorporated foundation in August 1984, under the approval of the Ministry of Education and with the strong support of the industrial, academic, and governmental sectors, all of whom endorsed its founding philosophy.In October 1993, the foundation constructed a central hub to serve as a core academic research institution in Keihanna Science City on land provided by Kyoto Prefecture. On April 1, 2013, it transitioned into a public interest incorporated foundation, following the receipt of a certification for the transition from the Cabinet Office in March of the same year.

In the new era of AI, society is shifting to prioritize efficiency and fast development. It is moving away from being peaceful and sustainable. The mission of the International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS) is to uncover fundamental issues impeding the happiness of humanity and propose new perspectives and directions to offer solutions to global social challenges. IIAS’s directive is to be a place where outstanding researchers transcend national and academic boundaries come together to freely interact and communicate. As a core academic research institution in Keihanna* Science City, we promote and conduct creative basic research in cooperation with industry, academia, government, and civil society.
　 Since its founding, the following pillars have been crucial to our research activities:

・Being an international research institution
・Conducting basic research by selecting advanced fields and topics
・Cycling new research topics and researchers into the research ecosystem continuously
・Cooperating with the industrial sector

*Keihanna = an area that encompasses the Prefectures of Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara in the Kansai Region

Keihanna Science City was proposed by the “Kansai Science City Surveillance Conversazione” (Chairman: OKUDA Azuma, Former President of Kyoto University) in 1978. Following the enactment of the Kansai Science City Construction Act in 1987, this “Science City” began as a full-scale national construction project, spanning Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara prefectures, creating one of Japan’s leading centers for creative activities on par with Tsukuba Science City in the Kanto region. The Keihanna area is historically and culturally significant, situated at the ancient heart of Japanese culture and surrounded by the former capitals of Asuka, Naniwa, Nara, and Kyoto. Opening its doors to the entire world, Keihanna Science City aims to become Japan’s new cultural capital for the 21st century and beyond. Currently, the Keihanna Science City houses approximately 160 facilities. Leveraging its concentration of universities and research institutions, it has generated a great deal of successful outcomes through collaboration with industry, academia, government, and civil society, significantly contributing to the advancement of culture and scholarship in Japan. The International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS) acknowledges its position as a core research institution within Keihanna Science City and aims to promote research activities oriented toward the future, while striving to realize its founding philosophy.