A Decade of the National Institute for Materials Science as an Independent Administrative Institution

In April 2001, many Japanese national institutes were reorganized as Independent Administrative Institutions (IAI) based on the General Act for Independent Administrative Institutions and the act for each institution. Under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) was established by the merger of the National Research Institute for Metals (NRIM) and the National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (NIRIM). One of the biggest changes was the expansion of autonomous administration. The nanotechnology and material R&D field was prioritized in the 2nd (2001-2005) and the 3rd (2006-2010) Science and Technology Basic Plans; subsequently, NIMS was assigned to take the initiative in nanotechnology as well as materials science. NIMS has proactively expanded research fields through the introduction of researchers from polymers, electronics, and biotechnology as well as member institutes of the World Materials Research Institute Forum (WMRIF). Globalization has been promoted through programs that include the International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS) and the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA). The 4th Science and Technology Basic Plan (2011-2015) emphasizes outcomes-recovery and rebirth from the disaster, green innovation, and life innovation. The Midterm Plan for NIMS also follows it. R&D collaboration by multi-partners (that include industry, university, and GRI) should be strategically promoted where GRI are especially required to play a hub function for innovative R&D and open innovation. NIMS highlights are Tsukuba Innovation Arena (TIA) and the Nanotechnology Platform Project. On January 20, 2012, a new organization was decided on by the Japanese Government where several IAI from different science and technology areas will be merged to realize more effective R&D as well as administrative cost reductions. NIMS is also supposed to be merged with 4 other R&D IAI under MEXT by the end of 2013.