The Osaka and Kobe R&D ecosystem
Osaka and Kobe is ranked number 47 of 392 R&D ecosystems in the 311 Institute directory, with 49 labs within about 120 kilometres: 24 research institutes, 11 corporate, 10 university and 4 government. Leading organisations include Kyoto University, RIKEN, Universities in Japan and Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research, focused on atomic and molecular physics, and optics, materials chemistry, mechanical engineering and electrical and electronic engineering.
Part of the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory. Compiled by Matthew Griffin. Last updated .
Why these labs matter
All 49 labs
| Lab and organisation | Location | Type and sector | Focus | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daikin Technology and Innovation CenterDaikin | Settsu, Japan | Corporate Industrials and manufacturing | HVAC, Refrigerants | 2015 |
| Ion Technology Center (Japan)Ion Technology Center (Japan) | Osaka, Japan | Corporate Industrials and manufacturing | Computational Mechanics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 2008 |
| KAN Research InstituteKAN Research Institute | Kobe, Japan | Corporate Healthcare and life sciences | Immunology and Allergy, Oncology, Developmental Neuroscience | 1997 |
| Kobe Material Testing Laboratory (Japan)Kobe Material Testing Laboratory (Japan) | Kobe, Japan | Corporate Industrials and manufacturing | Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Metals and Alloys | 1998 |
| Kobelco Research Institute, Inc. (Japan)Kobelco Research Institute, Inc. (Japan) | Kobe, Japan | Corporate Chemicals and materials | Mechanical Engineering, Materials Chemistry, Metals and Alloys | 1979 |
| Kyoto Biken Laboratories (Japan)Kyoto Biken Laboratories (Japan) | Kyoto, Japan | Corporate Healthcare and life sciences | Animal Science and Zoology, Microbiology, Epidemiology | 1948 |
| MHI Research and Innovation CenterMitsubishi Heavy Industries | Takasago, Japan | Corporate Industrials and manufacturing | Energy, Hydrogen | |
| Murata Manufacturing R&DMurata | Nagaokakyo, Japan | Corporate Technology | Electronic components | |
| Panasonic Technology DivisionPanasonic | Kadoma, Japan | Corporate Technology | Batteries, Devices | |
| Translational Research Informatics Center (Japan)Translational Research Informatics Center (Japan) | Kobe, Japan | Corporate Healthcare and life sciences | Oncology, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine | 2002 |
| Tsumura Research Institute (Japan)Tsumura Research Institute (Japan) | Osaka, Japan | Corporate Healthcare and life sciences | Complementary and alternative medicine, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Gastroenterology | 1992 |
| Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change ResearchAsia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research | Kobe, Japan | Government Environment and climate | Global and Planetary Change, Sociology and Political Science, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics | 1996 |
| Hyogo Prefectural Institute of Environmental SciencesHyogo Prefectural Institute of Environmental Sciences | Kobe, Japan | Government Environment and climate | Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Atmospheric Science, Food Science | 1948 |
| RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Fugaku)RIKEN | Kobe, Japan | Government Technology | Supercomputing | 2010 |
| Tokushima Prefectural Public Health, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences CenterTokushima Prefectural Public Health, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences Center | Tokushima, Japan | Government Healthcare and life sciences | Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Infectious Diseases, Pharmacology | |
| Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies, Kyoto UniversityKyoto University | Kyoto, Japan | University Technology | Computer Science Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Hardware and Architecture | 2002 |
| Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto UniversityKyoto University | Ōtsu, Japan | University Environment and climate | Insect Science, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Environmental Chemistry | 1991 |
| Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto UniversityKyoto University | Kyoto, Japan | University Environment and climate | Oceanography, Aquatic Science, Nature and Landscape Conservation | 2003 |
| Fukui Institute for Fundamental Chemistry, Kyoto UniversityKyoto University | Kyoto, Japan | University Chemicals and materials | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry | 2002 |
| Kyoto University Institute for Chemical ResearchKyoto University | Kyoto, Japan | University Chemicals and materials | Polymers and Plastics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics | |
| Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto University | Kyoto, Japan | University Space | Astronomy and Astrophysics, Building and Construction, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics | 2004 |
| Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto UniversityKyoto University | Kyoto, Japan | University Social sciences and humanities | Social Psychology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Small Animals | 2008 |
| Yukawa Institute for Theoretical PhysicsKyoto University | Sakyō Ku, Japan | University Nuclear | Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics | |
| Kyoto UniversityUniversities in Japan | Kyoto, Japan | University Multidisciplinary research | Stem cells, Chemistry | 1897 |
| Osaka UniversityUniversities in Japan | Suita, Japan | University Multidisciplinary research | Robotics, Immunology | 1931 |
| Foundation Wakasa Wan Energy Research CenterFoundation Wakasa Wan Energy Research Center | Tsuruga, Japan | Research institute Multidisciplinary research | Computational Mechanics, Materials Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering | 1981 |
| Geo-Research InstituteGeo-Research Institute | Kobe, Japan | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Civil and Structural Engineering, Geophysics, Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality | |
| HLA LaboratoryHLA Laboratory | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Hematology, Transplantation, Surgery | |
| Hyogo Prefectural Institute of TechnologyHyogo Prefectural Institute of Technology | Kobe, Japan | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Materials Chemistry, Control and Systems Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 1917 |
| Hyogo Prefectural Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesHyogo Prefectural Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries | Kasai, Japan | Research institute Agriculture and food | Agronomy and Crop Science, Oceanography, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics | |
| Industrial Technology Center of Wakayama PrefectureIndustrial Technology Center of Wakayama Prefecture | Wakayama, Japan | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering | |
| Institute for Health Outcomes & Process Evaluation ResearchInstitute for Health Outcomes & Process Evaluation Research | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Nephrology, Hematology, Pharmacology | |
| Institute for Laser TechnologyInstitute for Laser Technology | Osaka, Japan | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Computational Mechanics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 1987 |
| Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research InstituteJapan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute | Sayō, Japan | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Radiation, Materials Chemistry, Surfaces, Coatings and Films | 1990 |
| KRIKRI | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Industrials and manufacturing | Condensed Matter Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Chemistry | 1987 |
| Kyoto City Institute of Health and Environmental SciencesKyoto City Institute of Health and Environmental Sciences | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Hematology, Immunology, Oncology | |
| Kyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Technology CenterKyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Technology Center | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Agriculture and food | Insect Science, Plant Science, Genetics | |
| Miyakojima iGRT ClinicMiyakojima iGRT Clinic | Osaka, Japan | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Radiation, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging | |
| NARD InstituteNARD Institute | Amagasaki, Japan | Research institute Energy and resources | Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Water Science and Technology, Organic Chemistry | 1972 |
| Research Institute for Humanity and NatureNational Institutes for the Humanities | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Environment and climate | Geochemistry and Petrology, Global and Planetary Change, Ecology | 2001 |
| Osaka International Cancer InstituteOsaka International Cancer Institute | Osaka, Japan | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Surgery, Oncology | 1959 |
| Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public HealthOsaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health | Osaka, Japan | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Food Science, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Cancer Research | 1972 |
| Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and TechnologyOsaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology | Osaka, Japan | Research institute Chemicals and materials | Polymers and Plastics, Organic Chemistry, Building and Construction | 1916 |
| Quantum Chemistry Research InstituteQuantum Chemistry Research Institute | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Basic science | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence | 2006 |
| Research Institute for Production DevelopmentResearch Institute for Production Development | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Condensed Matter Physics | 1947 |
| Research Institute of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Osaka PrefectureResearch Institute of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Osaka Prefecture | Osaka, Japan | Research institute Agriculture and food | Insect Science, Plant Science, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis | 1968 |
| Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the EarthResearch Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth | Kyoto, Japan | Research institute Multidisciplinary research | Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Molecular Biology | 1990 |
| RIKEN Advanced Science InstituteRIKEN | Kobe, Japan | Research institute Basic science | Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Molecular Biology | 2008 |
| RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchRIKEN | Kobe, Japan | Research institute Healthcare and life sciences | Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Cell Biology | 2018 |
Countries
Organisations
Other leading ecosystems
- Paris and Saclay
- Beijing and Tianjin
- Washington DC and Maryland
- Greater Tokyo and Tsukuba
- Moscow
- Grenoble
- London and the Golden Triangle
- Greater Bay Area (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong)
- Shanghai and Suzhou
- Provence (ITER and Cadarache)
- Silicon Valley and the Bay Area
- Singapore
- Zurich, Basel and Aargau
- Randstad (Amsterdam, Delft, Leiden)
- Stuttgart and Karlsruhe
Questions and answers
How big is the Osaka and Kobe R&D ecosystem?
It has 49 labs from 39 organisations, ranking number 47 worldwide in the 311 Institute Global R&D Labs Directory.
Which organisations have labs in Osaka and Kobe?
They include Kyoto University, RIKEN, Universities in Japan and Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research.
What does the Osaka and Kobe ecosystem specialise in?
Its main focus areas are atomic and molecular physics, and optics, materials chemistry, mechanical engineering and electrical and electronic engineering.
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