SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 1
Experiencing Cutting-Edge Science at RIKEN: Lectures and Research Facility Visits
On the morning of May 28, under pleasant early summer weather, 60 participants—56 high school students and 4 supervisors from India—visited RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research) in Wako, Saitama Prefecture, as part of Group 1 of the Sakura Science High School Program (SSHP). Founded in 1917 and designated as a National Research and Development Agency in 2015, RIKEN is one of Japan's leading comprehensive research institutions in the natural sciences. The Wako campus hosts cutting-edge laboratories across a wide range of fields, including physics, chemistry, life sciences, and engineering.
Upon arrival, the group took a commemorative photo at the entrance of the main building, surrounded by lush greenery, before moving to a large lecture hall for an orientation session. The program began with a presentation by Kelly Jackson, Senior Coordinator from the International Affairs Division, who provided an overview of RIKEN's history, organizational structure, and research facilities across Japan. The presentation, supported by slides and videos, highlighted the institute's global research environment, where many international researchers from around the world are actively engaged in scientific work.
Next, a student representative delivered an opening remark, stating, “Although we come from different countries and cultures, we share a common language—science.” The speech expressed both their excitement about learning through science and their gratitude to those who made the visit possible, earning warm applause from the audience.
The participants were then divided into two groups, A and B, and attended separate sessions to explore different areas of research. This report focuses mainly on the activities of Group B.
Group B first visited the Bio-Polymer Research Team at the Center for Sustainable Resource Science, where they attended a lecture by Senior Research Scientist Ari Andres Marai on spider silk research. Spider silk, a natural material known for its lightness, strength, and elasticity, is attracting attention as an innovative material. The students learned about its potential applications in environmentally friendly textiles and medical materials. After the lecture, they toured the laboratory and observed firsthand the research on spider silk and bio-derived materials.
At 11:00 a.m., the group walked to the Okochi Memorial Hall in the Laser Research Building to attend a lecture by Chief Research Scientist SAITO Takehiko. Following an advanced explanation of the microscopic world of atomic nuclei and the origins of matter in the early universe, students asked insightful questions. One student asked, “Why can protons, which both carry positive charge, bind together within the atomic nucleus instead of repelling each other?” Their ability to engage with fundamental questions and actively interact with leading researchers left a strong impression. The group then visited the SAITO High Energy Nuclear Physics Laboratory for an on-site tour.
The final visit was to the Neutron Engineering Facility, where Research Scientist KOBAYASHI Tomohiro from the Center for Advanced Photonics explained neutron beams, their generation systems, and related research equipment. Here again, the students showed great curiosity, asking questions such as whether neutron beams can pass through concrete walls, demonstrating their keen interest in the unique properties of neutrons and their industrial applications.
Although the topics covered were highly advanced and related to cutting-edge science, the students remained attentive throughout and actively participated by asking questions.
The visit to RIKEN, with its exposure to diverse research approaches, provided the participants with a valuable opportunity to appreciate the immense potential of science. Some students even expressed their aspiration to study science in Japan in the future, making this experience a meaningful step toward their goals.
