Nuclear industry was a major player at universities and research institutions in Japan

But now the question is: If Japan is going to phase out nuclear power, what happens to its huge presence at its universities? The nuclear industry was a major source of funds for taught programs and research (even though much of that ultimately came from government subsidies and support to the industry).

I somehow think majors like 'nuclear safety engineer' are not going to have much appeal to young people.

http://www.iaea.org/inisnkm/nkm/ws/research_institutes/japan.html

Nuclear Research in Japan

This list of names of university institutes and research institutes has been compiled from the INIS Bibliographic Database. It is not intended to be complete, but indicates some of the main institutes that are actively publishing in the nuclear field.

Please consult the Nuclear Energy Handbook for more information about Japan.
Universities

    * Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka (Japan). Dept. of Physics
    * Osaka City Univ. (Japan). Dept. of Physics
    * Kumamoto Univ. (Japan). Faculty of Science
    * Sapporo Gakuin Univ., Ebetsu, Hokkaido (Japan)
    * Tsukuba Univ., Ibaraki (Japan). Inst. of Physics
    * Tokyo Univ., Tanashi (Japan). Inst. for Nuclear Study
    * Chiba Inst. of Tech., Narashino (Japan)
    * Shibaura Inst. of Tech., Tokyo (Japan)

Nuclear Research Laboratories

    * Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Wako, Saitama (Japan)
    * Science Council of Japan, Tokyo (Japan)
    * CRC Research Inst. Inc., Tokyo (Japan)
    * Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute, Tokai, Ibaraki (Japan). Tokai Works
    * Hitachi Ltd., Ibaraki (Japan). Energy Research Lab.
    * National Lab. for High Energy Physics, Tsukuba, Ibaraki (Japan)
    * National Inst. of Radiological Sciences, Nakaminato, Ibaraki (Japan)
    * Japan Nuclear Fuel Industries Co. Inc., Tokyo (Japan)
    * Radioactive Waste Management Center, Tokyo (Japan)
    * Kyoto Fission-Track Co. (Japan)
    * Japan Atomic Energy Research Inst. (JAERI), Tokai, Ibaraki (Japan). Tokai Research Establishment

Nuclear Fusion Research

    * Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, 487-8501 Kasugai-City, Aichi-prefecture, Japan
    * Ehime University, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics,2-5 Bunkyo-cho,790-8577 Matsuyama,Japan
    * Electrotechnical Laboratory,Energy Fundamentals Division,1- 1-4 Umezono,305-8568 Tsukuba, Ibaraki,Japan
    * Himeji Institute of Technology, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo,671-2201,Japan
          -Department of Electrical Engineering
          -Faculty of Engineering

    * Institute of Physical and chemical Research, lchijoji Matsubara-cho 105, 606-8156, JAPAN
    * ITER XT, Physics Unit, 801-1 Mukojama, 311 -01 Naka, Ibaraki,Japan
    * Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Electrical Power System,Nonoichi,921-8501 Ishikawa,Japan
    * Kyoto University

          -Engineering Physics and Mechanics,Sakyo,606-8501,Japan
          -Graduate School of Energy Science, Uji, Kyoto
          -Institute of Advanced Energy, Uji, Kyoto
          -Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kyoto

    * Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku,464-8603 Nagoya,Japan
    * National Institute for Fusion Science, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, 509-5292 Toki,Japan

          -Department Of Large Helical Device Project
          -Theory and Computer Simulation Center

    * Nihon University, 1-8 Kanda Surugadah, Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo,101-8308, JAPAN

          -Department of Physics
          -Atomic Energy Research Institute

    * University of Tsukuba, Plasma Research Center, Univ. of Tsukuba, Tsukuba Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan,
    * Kyushu University, Kasuga Koen 6-1,816-8580 Kasuga City, Japan

          -Research Institute for Applied Mechanics
          -Advanced Fusion Research Center,
          -Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering and Sciences

    * Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-Machi, Koganei-shi,184-8588 Tokyo,Japan
    * University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku , 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan

          -School of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering
          -Nuclear Engineering Research Laboratory, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki
          -Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
          -Complexity Science and Engineering

    * Kyoto Institute of Technology, Department of Electronics and Information Science, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
    * Hitachi Ltd., Power and Industrial Systems R and D Division, Ibaraki-ken
    * Osaka University, Suita, Osaka

          -Institute of Laser Engineering
          -Plasma Physics Laboratory Faculty of Engineering
          -Graduate School of Engineering

    * ITER JCT, Naka Joint Work Site, Naka
    * Tohoku University, Aramaki-aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai

          -Department of Quantum Science and Energy Engineering
          -Institute for Materials Research
          -Graduate School of Engineering

    * Tokyo Institute of Technology, Research Laboratory for Nuclear Reactors, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
    * Toshiba Corp.,Energy and Mechanical Research Laboratories, Kawasaki
    * Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Komae-shi, Tokyo
    * Hiroshima University, Department of Material Science, Hiroshima
    * Okayama University, Faculty of Engineering, Okayama
    * Hokkaido University, Center for Advanced Research of Energy Technology, Sapporo
    * Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka
    * Toshiba Co., Otawara-shi, Tochigi
    * Yamagata University, Yamagata
    * Iwate University, Department for Electrical Engineering, Morioka, Iwate
    * Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI)

          -Tritium Engineering Laboratory, Tokai, Ibaraki
          -Naka Fusion Research Establishment, Mukoyama 801-1,311-0193 Naka-machi, Naka-gun, lbaraki-ken
          -Tritium Engineering Laboratory, Tokai, Ibaraki
          -Blanket Engineering Laboratory, Naka-machi, Naka-gun, Ibaraki-ken
          -Advanced Photon Research Center, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki
          -Department of Reactor Engineering, Tokai-mura, Ibaraki-ken
          -RF Heating Laboratory
          -Naka Fusion Research Establishment, Tokai Annex, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki
          -Japanese ITER Home Team

http://www.iaea.org/inisnkm/nkm/ws/countries/japan_universities.html

 University Home Pages

Hiroshima University


    * Synchotron Radiation Facilities

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Hokkaido University
language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Kobe University of Mercantile Marine
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Kyoto University (Institute of Advanced Energy)
language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Kyushu University
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Nagoya University
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Osaka University
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Ritsumeikan University

    * Compact Superconducting Synchotron Radiation light Source
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site

     *Science University of Tokyo (SUT)

language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site

Tohoku University
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open only to certain groups
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site

Tokai University
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Tokyo Institute of Technology (TITECH) (
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site

       *University of Tokyo

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open only to certain groups
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
t

School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo 

    * Nuclear Engineering Research Laboratory (UTNL)
    * Fast Neutron Source Reactor YAYOI

language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: The University of Tokyo | Nuclear Engineering Research Laboratory (UTNL)


UTTAC, Tandem Accelerator Center, University of Tsukuba
language: Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Research Institutes and Laboratories
           Nuclear Research Institutes
           High Energy Research Institutes
           Nuclear Fusion and Plasma Physics
           Application of Isotopes and Ionizing Radiation
click to expand Nuclear Facilities
click to expand Nuclear Authorities, Governmental Organizations, Laws and Regulations
click to expand Non-Governmental and Inter-Governmental Organizations
click to expand Commercial Service Providers in the Nuclear Field
click to expand Scientific and Technical Data
click to expand Health and Safety Aspects
click to expand Environmental Aspects
click to expand Bibliographic Databases and Online Journals, Reports, Pre-prints
click to expand Nuclear Gateways, Educational Sites, News, Conferences
click to expand General News Media

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  Nuclear Research Institutes

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI)
The Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) was founded in 1951 to serve as the comprehensive central research institution for the electric power industry. Since that time, CRIEPI has exercised the talents of its specialists in responding precisely to the business challenges that electric utilities face. At the same time, we undertake the general development of technologies in the quest for fundamental solutions to the many problems involved in global energy and resources, the environment, and sustainable economic development, as seen from a long-term perspective. In this way CRIEPI makes useful contributions both domestically and internationally through the advancement of the electric power industry.
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation | industry or service provider
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)
The Persistent Quest Home Page gives a good overview over the research activities at JAERI.
language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: english JAEA site | Persistent Quest Home Page


Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)
The Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) was formally inaugurated on 1-October 1998; its Mission is to perform the development of the advanced technology required to establish the complete nuclear fuel cycle. JNC's Key Projects are those which form the basis of the fuel cycle, these are: the fast breeder reactor (FBR), advanced reprocessing, plutonium fuel fabrication and the disposal of high-level radioactive waste.


    * research and development for nuclear fuel cycle technology
    * fast reactor
    * plutonium fuel
    * reprocessing
    * radwaste

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: Latest News | MONJU prototype reactor | JAEA's Key Projects | JOYO Home Page


Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL)
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation | industry or service provider
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: english pages


Japan Science and Technology Corporation (JST)


    * ReaD: Database of Research and Development Activities (free of charge)
    * access to a selection of other (paying) databases
    * host for STN Interantional bibliography (200+ databases)

language: Japanese | English
originator: data centre
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information | numerical data, codes | bibliographic data
type of site: data base


JOYO Experimental Fast Reactor (JNC)
The experimental fast reactor JOYO achieved initial criticality in April 1977 as the first liquid metal fast breeder reactor in JAPAN. As a fuels and materials irradiation test facility, JOYO achieved the maximum design output of 100MWt in 1983, and thirty-two cycles of 100MWt rated power operation were successfully conducted until the end of March 1998. During this period, many irradiation tests for the development of fuels and materials were carried out.
language: English
originator: operator of nuclear plant or facility | university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: Japan Atomic Energy Agency


Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute (KURRI)
The KURRI (Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute) was reorganized in 1995 and is now composed of six research divisions and two facilities. On average, each division is composed of three laboratories. There are a total of twenty two laboratories including one laboratory provided for visiting professors.

The organization of the Institute consists of about eighty scientists, forty technical staff, and forty administrative members and clerks. The Advisory Board consists of members chosen from the scientists of both the Institute and other organizations.Its function is to provide advice to the Director on policies for cooperative research activities. It also receives and reviews cooperative research projects proposed by researchers of universities and research institutes.

language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


MONJU prototype reactor (JNC)
MONJU is the prototype reactor of the Japanese fast breeder reactor project. This English language site has been created to explain how fast reactors work, why Japan is committed to the development of this technology and how it can be used as a major contributor to electricity supply in the next century.
language: English
originator: operator of nuclear plant or facility | university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) | MONJU Plant - Basic Specifications


National Institute for Radiological Sciencies (NIRS)

    * established in 1957, as a special research institution attached to the Science and Technology Agency

language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site

National Institute of of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST)


From April 1, 2001, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (the new AIST) has begun operations. The AIST is a newborn research organization that is combined with 15 research institutes which are used to be under the former Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (the former AIST) in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Table 1 below) and The Weights and Measures Training Institute. The new AIST is the Japan's largest public research organizations with research facilities on scale, and around 3,200 employees including the authorities.
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Nuclear Engineering Research Laboratory, University of Tokyo (UTNL)
language: English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: Online Reports on Nuclear Engineering


Persistent Quest - Research Activities (JAERI)
Persistent Quest is published annually to introduce the most recent accomplishments of JAERI (Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute) on scientific and technical research to the general public. Its contents are focused on research topics which made outstanding progress in the year concerned.

    * Advanced Basic Research
    * Research and Development of Fusion Energy
    * Neutron Science and It's Applications
    * Research and Development of the Advanced Photon and Synchrotron Radiation Sources
    * Material Science
    * Research and Development on Radiation Applications
    * Computational Science
    * Research on Nuclear Energy System
    * Development of Irradiation Techniques
    * Nuclear Safety Research

language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information | online journals, articles, reports
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: JAEA
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  High Energy Research Institutes

Electrotechnical Laboratory (ETL)

    * Electron Linac Facility
    * NIJI-II, NIJI-IV, TERAS

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)


    * Photon Factory
    * TRISTAN Accumulation Ring

language: English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: english page


Hiroshima Synchrotron Radiation Center (HSRC)
language: English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: Hiroshima University


Institute for Molecular Science (IMS)


    * Okazaki National Research Institute
    * Ultraviolet Synchrotron Orbital Radiation Facility (UVSOR )

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: UVSOR


Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)

    * third-generation synchrotron radiation facility: SPring-8
    * advanced research into materials science, earth science, life science, and medicine

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Nuclear Science Research Facility - Accelerator Laboratory Kyoto

    * accelerator physics
    * laser nuclear physics
    * 7 MeV proton Linac and a 100 MeV electron Linac

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


RIKEN Accelerator Research Facility
This page is presented by RIKEN Accelerator Research Facility, a joint organization of Cyclotron Center, Accelerator User Group and RIBF Project Group.
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: free online access | open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Sumitomo Electric (SEI) (more info) goto TOP


    * Harima Institute
    * compact synchrotron radiation ring: NIJI-III

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (Univ. of Tokyo VSX Project )

    * Synchotron Radiation Facilities: VSX Light Source

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN)
language: English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
top | country index | search | home | contact us
  Nuclear Fusion and Plasma Physics

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)
ITER's mission is to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy for peaceful purposes. To do this, ITER will demonstrate extended energy production, demonstrate essential fusion energy technologies in an integrated system, and perform integrated testing of key elements required to use fusion as a practical energy source.


    * planned Superconducting Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor
    * international collaboration: Euratom, Japan, Russia, (USA)
    * ITER Newsletter: published monthly by the IAEA

language: English
originator: international organisation | university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public | free online access
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: ITER Newsletter | IAEA | ITER Europe | Naka Fusion Research Establshment


Institute of Laser Engineering (Osaka University)
language: Japanese | English
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site


JT-60 project (more info) goto TOP


    * JT-60/JT-60SA

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public
type of data: numerical data, codes | textual information | online journals, articles, reports
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: Naka-JAEA Home Page | JAEA Home Page


Naka Fusion Research Establishment, Japan (JAEA) (more info) goto TOP


    * JT-60 Tokamak

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public | free online access
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
related sites: english JAEA site | JT-60 Tokamak


National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS, Toki, Japan) 

    * LHD Stellarator

language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
access: open to the general public | free online access
type of data: textual information
type of site: non-commercial site
top | country index | search | home | contact us
  Application of Isotopes and Ionizing Radiation

Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center (Tohoku University) (more info) goto TOP
language: English | Japanese
originator: university, laboratory or research organisation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

http://www.eng.u-fukui.ac.jp/english/organizations/details/master.html

Nuclear Power and Energy Safety Engineering Course

The course provides practical and multilateral education and research concerning various issues, including assurance of safety in atomic power stations and areas where the stations are located, seeking convivial society systems, stabilization of power networks, and vitalization of local industries through technology transfer, as a university located in Fukui Prefecture where many atomic power stations are located. The objective of the course is to cultivate advanced professional engineers who have a thorough knowledge of safety engineering and configuration of regional symbiotic systems related to atomic power and energy and who also have wider vision and a high sense of ethics.
Divisions

    * Nuclear Power Safety Engineering
    * Regional and Environmental Symbiosis Engineering
    * Nuclear Power Plant Safety Engineering

http://www.npes.u-fukui.ac.jp/

Department of Applied Nuclear Technology  
Acquiring the skills to apply, develop and practice.

Nuclear power － used as a means to produce electricity it plays a fundamental role in our society. Japan’s relationship with nuclear power stretches back over 40 years. Now more than ever we need technicians trained in the use of nuclear power and in fact this institution is the only such one in the country to offer the particular course of study that we have here. Here at this university we seek to produce technologists who will go on to be experts in nuclear power and the correct and safe use of radioactive substances.
We are looking for the following kinds
of people with ambition:

   1. People who can keep to the rules, forward-looking
   2. People who are able to cooperate with others
   3. People who are passionate about future developments in nuclear power
   4. People who are creative and keen to experiment
   5. People who abound with curiosity and are ready to take on the challenge of discovery


http://www.fukui-ut.ac.jp/ut/english/subject/president.html#04

Japan's Big Science Takes Big Hit from Big Disasters

http://www.hpcwire.com/hpcwire/2011-03-21/japanese_science_takes_big_hit_from_earthquake.html

March 21, 2011
Japanese Science Takes Big Hit from Earthquake

excerpt (entire article at link above). 

One of the most affected centers is Tohoku University, which was near the epicenter of the quake in Sendai. The institution was one of Japan's preeminent materials science, engineering and biomedicine centers, but will be shut down until at least the end of April, according to a report from Nature News. Tohoku University is home to the Cyberscience Center, which houses a 31.2 teraflop system, but as of now, there are no updates about the status of the resource. As it stands, the university area is difficult to access due to dangerous aftershocks, and recovery efforts are being hindered by a lack of electricity and water.

Japan HE dominates QS's 'Asian Ranking' of Universities

Japanese universities dominate the entire Asian set, but only one Japanese university makes it into the top five--that is, University of Tokyo.

QS rankings are now independent of the THES rankings. This Asian rankings list makes for an interesting preview of the world rankings for 2011, which will come out later this year, in direct competition with THES's for our attention. One question that comes to mind is this: If University of Tokyo is number four in Asia, will it even make the top twenty of QS's world rankings?

http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings

http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2011

Top Five Universities in Asia

Ranking University

1          The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
2          University of Hong Kong
3          National University of Singapore (NUS)
4          The University of Tokyo
5          The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Japan tops supercomputer rankings (June 2011)

A supercomputer in Japan hasn't been number 1 since late 2004. Japan had even dropped out of the top 10 list for much of those 7 years. However, a supercomputer that Fujitsu built for Riken (a group of government-funded research institutions) recently put Japan back at the very top. US dominance of petaflop-level computing continues. However, China shows growing strength at supercomputers. This is now an era of PETAFLOP computing, with all top ten computers attaining that level of calculating power.  

http://www.top500.org/lists/2011/06/press-release

excerpt (entire article at link above)

Japan Reclaims Top Ranking on Latest TOP500 List of World’s Supercomputers
Thu, 2011-06-16 19:24


HAMBURG, Germany. A Japanese supercomputer capable of performing more than 8 quadrillion calculations per second (petaflop/s) is the new number one system in the world, putting Japan back in the top spot for the first time since the Earth Simulator was dethroned in November 2004, according to the latest edition of the TOP500 List of the world’s top supercomputers. The system, called the K Computer, is at the RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science (AICS) in Kobe.
....
For the first time, all of the top 10 systems achieved petaflop/s performance-- and those are also the only petaflop/s systems on the list. The U.S. is tops in petaflop/s with five systems performing at that level; Japan and China have two each, and France has one.

Bumped to second place after capturing No. 1 on the previous list is the Tianhe-1A supercomputer the National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin, China, with a performance at 2.6 petaflop/s. Also moving down a notch was Jaguar, a Cray supercomputer at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, at No. 3 with 1.75 petaflop/s.

Directories, listings, rankings etc. for HE worldwide and HE in Japan

	Directories, listings, rankings etc. for HE worldwide and HE in Japan
4ICU.ORG's Top 200 Universities Worldwide Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Institute of HE Braintrack Directory of HE - Japan Listings Higher Ed.org's College and University Home Page Directory International Association of Universities IAU Online Databases International Education A-Z List of Country Directories Japan Education and School Directory (Japanese language) Japan Education Guide - Includes directories of universities, colleges, and other HE Japan Ministry of Education's Stats on HE Japan Technical College and Technical Institute Directory (Japanese only) Japan University and Junior College Directory (Japanese only) Japans Ministry of Education's Portal to Stats and Info. in English on HE JUMP New study opportunities at Japan's GLOBAL universities NewsonJapan.com's Japan HE Directory Official Japan Statistical Almanac (in English) Online Education Database Online Education Rankings QS University Rankings Research Institute for Higher Education's Japan Stats Database Supercomputer Top 500, including many at universities and research centers THES' World University Rankings (another way to access the rankings, from the front page of the THES) Top Universities - Directory of Institutions in the QS Global Rankings University of Oulu's Directory of directories Webometrics Ranking of World Universities Wikipedia's List of Universities in Japan Yahoo Asia Directory of HE in Japan Yahoo Directory of HE in Japan

TEFL FORUM: Teaching English /r/ and /l/ to EFL learners: a lexical approach (parts 1-3 final)

http://eltinjapan.blogspot.com/2011/06/teaching-english-r-and-l-to-efl.html


Teaching English /r/ and /l/ to EFL learners: a lexical approach (parts 1-3 final)
Charles Jannuzi
University of Fukui, Japan

excerpt:

Introduction


English /r/, /l/ and contrasts across these two categories of sounds are often cited as pronunciation and listening perception problems for a variety of EFL learners, most from E. Asia. The language backgrounds most often associated with these problems are Japanese, Korean, Chinese and some languages of SE Asia (e.g., Thai but also Cantonese Chinese). Other language speakers have also expressed an interest in improving their pronunciation of English /r/ and /l/, including Russian and German EFL learners.


Perhaps the most well-known group to have a problem with the two categories of sounds is Japanese EFL learners. This could be because their native language background creates the most difficult problems to overcome, both in terms of listening perception and spoken production. It could also be because Japan attained affluence before most of the rest of Asia and hired native speakers of English to help teach and model the language. So a lot of information based on knowledge and experience of Japanese and Japanese learners of EFL has been exchanged and discussed in 'global ELT'.




Rest of article here:
http://eltinjapan.blogspot.com/2011/06/teaching-english-r-and-l-to-efl.html

For Microsoft, Japan Collaboration Mutually Beneficial

At best it looks like an exclusive academic club and a way for Microsoft Asia to recruit some top talent from Japan. However, about the institute, in 2009 MS released this PR:

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/japaneseacademics-100109.aspx

Japan Collaboration Mutually Beneficial
By Rob Knies
October 1, 2009 10:00 AM PT

excerpt:

When the Microsoft Institute for Japanese Academic Research Collaboration was founded in July 2005, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates left little doubt about his high hopes for the new effort.

“Japan is one of the most advanced countries in scientific research and engineering in the world,” Gates said at the time. “It has a talent pool that provides tremendous potential.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announces Microsoft Research Asia's collaborative effort with Japanese academia, which debuted in July 2005.

“This platform will allow researchers in one of the world's leading economies to put their long tradition of technological development and product innovation into collaboration with Microsoft.”

A little more than four years later, Microsoft Research Asia will demonstrate the ongoing importance it places on collaborating with Japanese academia when it hosts the 11th annual Computing in the 21st Century conference in early November.


http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/global/asia-pacific/regions/japan-ijarc.aspx

Microsoft Institute for Japanese Academic Research Collaboration

Established in 2005, the Microsoft Institute for Japanese Academic Research Collaboration (IJARC) acts as a virtual extension of Microsoft Research, building connections with Japanese academia and fostering Japan's technical talent pool.

When Bill Gates announced the formation of the IJARC in June 2005 in Tokyo, he presented the IJARC as a platform to advance research in Japan and to develop young talent through collaboration with Microsoft.

Japanese Academic Research Collaboration, 2005Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announces Microsoft Research Asia's collaborative effort with Japanese academia, which debuted in July 2005.

In addition to conducting sponsored research, the IJARC has organized a series of workshops to facilitate project collaboration and idea sharing between Japanese universities and Microsoft researchers.
Japan Academic Advisory Committee (AAC)

Comprised of some of the most prominent academics in Japan, the Japan Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) represents the IJARC as it works to build connections between Microsoft Research and Japanese academia.

The AAC provides strategic advice to Microsoft Research on regional themes, programs, talent fostering, and academic exchange in Japan. The committee also reviews research proposals submitted by Japanese researchers. The selection criteria they use to evaluate proposals emphasize stimulating innovation by young Japanese researchers, as well as the development of Japanese society.

AAC Members

Kiyoharu Aizawa


University of Tokyo

Katsuro Inoue


Osaka University

Sadaoki Furui


Tokyo Institute of Technology (AAC Director)

Katsumi Tanaka


Kyoto University

Akinori Yonezawa


University of Tokyo

Previously unpublished article from the JHEO archives: Microsoft partners with top Japanese universities

This is a piece written in 2005 and never published (although parts of it were integrated into other articles, including freelance articles sold to THES).  It would be interesting to update this to see what ever developed from the IJARC initiative. Another development that needs updating is the so-called Asian OS (which was supposed to help Asia compete with the Microsoft monopoly in desktop and notebook OSes). A third thing that requires follow up is just where the TRON OS is at and is going. These all have to be updated with things like the following in mind: (1) Apple's resurgence, including in OS development, (2) Google's emergence as a key player in OSes, and (3) the presence of Linux OS in many aspects of networked and embedded computing. Other spin-off topics might include the importance of JAVA in embedded computing and the shift in personal computing from desktops and notebooks to all sort of mobile devices, including smart phones and tablets.    



Microsoft partners with top Japanese universities
[note: article refers to events and developments in 2005]
Charles Jannuzi 
University of Fukui


This summer [the summer of 2005] US-based software giant Microsoft announced the creation of the Institute for Japanese Academic Research Collaboration (IJARC) and appointed professors from some of Japan's top research universities to vet proposals and monitor projects. The move to sponsor research at the universities comes in parallel with Microsoft's increased cooperation  with Japan's global electronics manufacturers to set the next format for DVD video playback. More generally, the company's involvement in Japan centres on the development of more reliable and versatile products in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine processing of language, and portable computing, games and communication devices. However, the software juggernaut has held out the possibility that its largesse for the universities will not be limited to applied technology ready for immediate commercial development and may also be directed to basic research in fields of study not directly related to computers and software, such as biology and the environment.  

It is no coincidence that Microsoft's foray into sponsoring research with top research universities come about at this time [summer of 2005]. Over a year ago, by act of legislation, the Koizumi government earned one of its first substantial victories in its effort to liberalise the political economy with the de-nationalisation and individual incorporation of the national universities. As of April 2004, the administration and day-to-day operations of the former national universities have been transformed into 'national university corporations' (NUCs). Having lost their national-public status, the NUCs now have to compete more and more for funding and revenues, not only amongst each other, but also with the more numerous private universities, the best of which also want to be 'world class' institutions in both teaching and research. Though consolidated in number by about 10%, the former national universities (which have always dominated university-level research in Japan) now have much more freedom to pursue cooperative research and joint ventures with for-profit companies. In that connection, joint ventures and tie ups with private industry will be very important as the 89 new NUCs establish foundations in search of financial stability. Success in competition and multiple sourcing will help guarantee that. However, it is not yet clear how successful Japanese universities will be in sharing the revenues from the commercial success of applied research and technology.

Microsoft's move into university research in Japan has proven to be very well timed now that the country has an electorally renewed Koizumi government set on further reforms and liberalisation. Microsoft forecasts that it will spend around $6.7 billion worldwide on research and development in FY 2005, much of it in Asia. It already has research centres in Britain, India, and China--as well as in California's Silicon Valley and Redmond, WA, where the company is headquartered. Yet until now it had not tried to make any similar major research efforts in Japan. One reason for this has been the perception overseas that Japanese universities lack programming talent--except perhaps in coding for electronic games. But a significant part of the problem is the language and cultural barriers. Subsidiaries of global companies which succeed in Japan (including in recruiting top talent) become very nativised in their corporate culture and operations. And world-class research, especially applied research, has more often been attributed to Japan's top companies, not its university system.

Microsoft's pledge to fund research at universities in Japan is not entirely without precedent though. The company has had a partnership with some top institutions here for several years, providing curriculum related to software and sponsoring lectures. Most recently the company sponsored a series of lectures on computer games; not surprising, perhaps, given the popularity of computer games here relative to the unpopularity of Microsoft's expensive entry in the market, the X-Box. Also over the last several years, it also has shared its closely guarded, proprietary Windows source code with six top technical institutions for the purpose of developing more secure software and anti-virus programs. Microsoft, however, retained the exclusive right to develop commercial products from the results of the research.

Perhaps most significantly, late in 2002, Microsoft announced it would participate in a consortium of companies and academics promoting the 'T-engine/T-kernal' concept for the compatibility of networked household appliances and mobile computing and communication devices (info-appliances). Though the meaning of the name might be opaque, T-engine/T-kernel is actually a very important offshoot of the two-decades-old TRON operating system project at the University of Tokyo, Japan's top university for both scientific research and taught programmes. 'TRON' stands for 'The Real-Time Operating System Nucleus' and encompasses an array of software and specifications, all of them 'open architecture' (the opposite of exclusive proprietary software, such as the much more famous Windows OS). Incredibly, numerous versions and adaptions of TRON OS are found embedded in over a billion electronic devices worlwide, making TRON the world's most popular (though largely unknown) operating system. (In fact, the TRON project was cited back in the 1980s as a possible trade issue in negotiations with the US government simply because it was seen as a potential threat to the American dominance in desktop operating systems, negative publicity which seems to have kept TRON OS off of desktop computers.)  

Another reason why Microsoft may feel compelled to step up its presence in Asian computing is the recent announcement by governments and companies here that they would cooperate in developing an alternative operating system to Windows. The governments of Japan, China and Korea have announced quite publicly that their goal is nothing less than to break Microsoft's stranglehold on desktop computing, which they see as an obstacle to progress in the IT industry and the information-based society it supports. Though the impetus may well be self-serving, their efforts could help computing and networked communications all over the world if they succeed in developing software that is (1) faster and more reliable, (2) more compatible with a variety of applications, (3) more scalable to mobile computing and communications devices (including embedded systems), (4) costs less, and (5) can better handle non-western writing systems and languages.

For success of the Asian operating system, however, what is required first is source code and shared specifications that are accessible to larger numbers of developers (i.e., open standards, open architecture, open peer review, and collaborative programming). So the obvious choices have been, either in isolation or in combination, open standards software, such as Sun's Java, GNU/Linux, and the grandfather of open architecture computing, TRON. Some hybrid forms of Java-TRON and Linux-TRON are already being used or are in commercial release.

Not wanting to be left out, even Microsoft has admitted that the real-time speed and scalability of TRON OS has advantages for portable computing and communications over its product, Windows CE, an OS for info-appliances that has a very good graphic user interface (GUI) but has not enjoyed much popularity. Therefore, with developments in Asia in mind, it announced that it would make make the source code for Win CE freely available for manufacturers and programmers so they could alter the OS or adapt it to their own hardware needs. This means that Microsoft software could still end up in a hybrid form with TRON for a complex set of integrated, graphic-intensive applications, such as a car navigation system that has a Windows-like GUI coordinating satellite position data, digital radio, radio text and 3G wireless internet capabilities.

For the Japanese universities and institutes (and their previously non-profit projects, such as TRON) seeking funding from Microsoft, the chief question for the future seems to be: How do they arrange co-operation with a for-profit company so that they can also reap some of the monetary rewards that follow from profitable commercial development? For Microsoft the over-riding issue must be whether or not it can overcome its old exclusive, proprietary way of doing things and embrace the inevitable but unpredictable world of ubiquitous computing. In other words, can university-company tie ups actually find the right balance of cooperation and competition so that everyone benefits?