At a time when scientific challenges are becoming increasingly complex and some of society’s most pressing problems extend beyond the boundaries of any single discipline, strategic collaboration built on meaningful, cross-disciplinary partnerships is vital.
This idea is reinforced by the Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS), which places a strong emphasis on collaboration. Traditionally, Japanese universities have operated in a highly competitive environment. Today, in order to strengthen the nation’s research capabilities, a shift is occurring toward mutual support and cooperation among institutions.
As part of J-PEAKS, OIST has partnered with two leading institutes, Keio University and University of the Ryukyus, to help fulfill our commitment to excellence in research, education, innovation, and outreach. Along with 13 additional world-class collaborators, we are building a robust network that will further strengthen our role as a gateway between Japan and the global research community.
OIST and Keio University
Our partnership with Keio University combines their complementary strengths in medicine, engineering, and social sciences with ours to drive forward research and innovation, particularly in the area of urban development. In July, 20 Keio medical students joined a 10-day intensive program at OIST, where they gained hands-on research experience. Staff from both universities also continue to exchange best practices on research promotion and external funding, strengthening administrative collaboration between the two institutions.
Earlier this year, we hosted the seventh joint symposium with Keio University on “Science Meets Society: Frontiers in Interdisciplinary Approaches to Life Sciences.” Looking ahead, Keio staff are set to join the International Administration Forum at OIST, while our Innovation Team will showcase at Keio Techno-Mall 2025 in December. Joint research is expanding in the humanities and social sciences, with plans for additional symposia in December this year and January 2026. We are also deepening our collaborations around Core Facilities including cryo-EM training, along with other research exchanges.
OIST and University of the Ryukyus
Our partnership with University of the Ryukyus, or Ryudai, is especially valuable as it anchors OIST regionally and aligns our joint research strengths with Okinawa’s development priorities. Together, we are advancing research and innovation through shared resources and community engagement. Recent joint projects have included training programs for multiple sections in Core Facilities, and ongoing staff exchanges to map and strengthen technical skills. Marine science is another area of growth and collaboration, with an ongoing pilot project that enables external facility use and a major symposium with Ryudai and Tohoku University scheduled for November.
Together, we have held community-focused events, such as “Envisioning the Socio-Ecological System Supporting Sustainable Fisheries in Okinawa 10 Years from Now,” which brought together fishermen, cooperatives, and scientists to help shape sustainable practices. On the innovation front, collaborative discussions have been led by OIST spin-off startups and Ryukyu University’s COI-NEXT initiative. Additionally, the launch of the Blue Carbon Project marks the beginning of efforts to establish a collaborative research platform for blue carbon ecosystems in Okinawa, bringing together OIST, Ryudai, and commercial partners. Students are also an important part of this partnership: the iGEM Okinawa team, comprising students from Okinawa KOSEN, OIST, and Ryudai, has developed a smart pest detection system using synthetic biology, which they will present at the iGEM Grand Jamboree in Paris this October.
