Message from the President
I am Hisanobu Sato, Director-General of the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. I was appointed as the new President of the Tsukuba Science City Network effective July 1, 2025. I hope that you will continue to give me your full cooperation.
Tsukuba Science City was planned in the 1960s to alleviate the concentration of population in Tokyo and to promote science and technology. It has developed into Japan’s largest research and development hub. In particular, 20 years have passed since the opening of the Tsukuba Express (TX) in 2005, and thanks to that, the city’s population has been increasing in part because of its excellent accessibility to central Tokyo. Currently, the Science City hosts 29 national research and educational institutions and more than 100 research organizations from both public and private sectors, with approximately 17,000 researchers, including over 4,000 foreign researchers, actively engaged in their work.
Against this backdrop, in June 2004, the Tsukuba Science City Network was built by merging the Tsukuba Science City Liaison Council for Promotion of Research Exchange and the Tsukuba Science City Council. The Tsukuba Science City Network was founded with an aim to “allow its members to mutually and closely exchange diverse information and opinions and partner with each other in research and other issues by capitalizing on the global environment of Tsukuba Science City and setting a future vision, thereby attempting to build a truly resident-friendly, mature community.” Today, it is fulfilling a major role in such partnerships in Tsukuba.
Now, Japan is facing multiple issues including continuous decline in the nation’s labor force due to low birthrate and aging population, stagnant economic growth, global climate change, serious disasters, food problems and the like. To tackle these issues, the promotion of Digital Transformation (DX) and Green Transformation (GX), and a transition to carbon neutrality and the like are essential.
Falling birthrate and aging population cause the nation’s labor force to dwindle and that is impeding economic growth. Against such a problem, DX can be an effective solution. For instance, introduction of physical AI and robotics will lead to the enhancement of productivity and labor efficiency. Also, the adverse effect brought by climate change poses a serious problem for Japan. While Nankai megathrust earthquakes are imminently feared, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake occurred on January 1, 2024. Against such natural disasters, making efforts for promotion of GX is absolutely necessary. By more widely adopting renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, we can implement carbon neutrality and build communities less vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. Furthermore, we are urged to develop and spread sustainable farming technologies to solve food problems. Adoption of smart farming and stable supply of food by using DX will positively contribute to the enhancement of food self-sufficiency.
As an effective solution against these issues, the promotion of innovation through research and development is now required. In particular, the development and implementation in communities of new technologies under the 6th and subsequent Science, Technology, and Innovation Basic Plan will fulfill an important role.
To achieve this, it is essential for Tsukuba Science City Network to work as a unified body and realize synergy effects, pioneering Japan’s future through research and development. We aim to address these challenges through R&D to build a sustainable and resilient society. In addition, we contribute to the urban development of the Science City by leveraging the expertise of its research institutions.
To promote activities of the Tsukuba Science City Network, I would appreciate your further understanding and assistance.
Hisanobu Sato
President, Tsukuba Science City Network
（Director-General of the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management,
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism）