AIST -About AIST-

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), led by President Nomakuchi, is a public research institution funded by the Japanese government to a large extent.  The present AIST is a rather new research organization established in 2001. However, AIST and its predecessor organizations have been contributing to society through continuous advancement in technologies and support of Japanese industries since 1882. 

Headquarters of AIST are located in Tsukuba and Tokyo.  AIST has over 40 autonomous research units in various innovative research fields, and the units are located at nine research bases and several sites (smaller than research bases) of AIST all over Japan.  About 2400 researchers (about 2100 with tenure: about 80 from abroad) and thousands of visiting scientists, post-doctoral fellows, and students from home and abroad are working at AIST.  About 700 permanent administrative personnel and many temporary staff support research works of AIST.

AIST was ranked 9th in “Top 20 Japanese Research Institutions for All Field 2001-2011” announced on April 17, 2012, by Thomson Reuters.  AIST was also ranked high in category rankings.  Rankings in Japan and in the world (in parentheses) are shown below.