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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 .

#47world rank
49labs
39organisations
1country
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Why these labs matter

RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Fugaku): Japan's flagship for supercomputing and AI for science.

All 49 labs

Lab and organisationLocationType and sectorFocusFounded
Daikin Technology and Innovation CenterDaikinSettsu, JapanCorporate
Industrials and manufacturing
HVAC, Refrigerants2015
Ion Technology Center (Japan)Ion Technology Center (Japan)Osaka, JapanCorporate
Industrials and manufacturing
Computational Mechanics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering2008
KAN Research InstituteKAN Research InstituteKobe, JapanCorporate
Healthcare and life sciences
Immunology and Allergy, Oncology, Developmental Neuroscience1997
Kobe Material Testing Laboratory (Japan)Kobe Material Testing Laboratory (Japan)Kobe, JapanCorporate
Industrials and manufacturing
Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Metals and Alloys1998
Kobelco Research Institute, Inc. (Japan)Kobelco Research Institute, Inc. (Japan)Kobe, JapanCorporate
Chemicals and materials
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Chemistry, Metals and Alloys1979
Kyoto Biken Laboratories (Japan)Kyoto Biken Laboratories (Japan)Kyoto, JapanCorporate
Healthcare and life sciences
Animal Science and Zoology, Microbiology, Epidemiology1948
MHI Research and Innovation CenterMitsubishi Heavy IndustriesTakasago, JapanCorporate
Industrials and manufacturing
Energy, Hydrogen
Murata Manufacturing R&DMurataNagaokakyo, JapanCorporate
Technology
Electronic components
Panasonic Technology DivisionPanasonicKadoma, JapanCorporate
Technology
Batteries, Devices
Translational Research Informatics Center (Japan)Translational Research Informatics Center (Japan)Kobe, JapanCorporate
Healthcare and life sciences
Oncology, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine2002
Tsumura Research Institute (Japan)Tsumura Research Institute (Japan)Osaka, JapanCorporate
Healthcare and life sciences
Complementary and alternative medicine, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Gastroenterology1992
Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change ResearchAsia-Pacific Network for Global Change ResearchKobe, JapanGovernment
Environment and climate
Global and Planetary Change, Sociology and Political Science, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics1996
Hyogo Prefectural Institute of Environmental SciencesHyogo Prefectural Institute of Environmental SciencesKobe, JapanGovernment
Environment and climate
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Atmospheric Science, Food Science1948
RIKEN Center for Computational Science (Fugaku)RIKENKobe, JapanGovernment
Technology
Supercomputing2010
Tokushima Prefectural Public Health, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences CenterTokushima Prefectural Public Health, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences CenterTokushima, JapanGovernment
Healthcare and life sciences
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Infectious Diseases, Pharmacology
Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies, Kyoto UniversityKyoto UniversityKyoto, JapanUniversity
Technology
Computer Science Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Hardware and Architecture2002
Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto UniversityKyoto UniversityŌtsu, JapanUniversity
Environment and climate
Insect Science, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Environmental Chemistry1991
Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto UniversityKyoto UniversityKyoto, JapanUniversity
Environment and climate
Oceanography, Aquatic Science, Nature and Landscape Conservation2003
Fukui Institute for Fundamental Chemistry, Kyoto UniversityKyoto UniversityKyoto, JapanUniversity
Chemicals and materials
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry2002
Kyoto University Institute for Chemical ResearchKyoto UniversityKyoto, JapanUniversity
Chemicals and materials
Polymers and Plastics, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto UniversityKyoto, JapanUniversity
Space
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Building and Construction, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics2004
Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto UniversityKyoto UniversityKyoto, JapanUniversity
Social sciences and humanities
Social Psychology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Small Animals2008
Yukawa Institute for Theoretical PhysicsKyoto UniversitySakyō Ku, JapanUniversity
Nuclear
Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Kyoto UniversityUniversities in JapanKyoto, JapanUniversity
Multidisciplinary research
Stem cells, Chemistry1897
Osaka UniversityUniversities in JapanSuita, JapanUniversity
Multidisciplinary research
Robotics, Immunology1931
Foundation Wakasa Wan Energy Research CenterFoundation Wakasa Wan Energy Research CenterTsuruga, JapanResearch institute
Multidisciplinary research
Computational Mechanics, Materials Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering1981
Geo-Research InstituteGeo-Research InstituteKobe, JapanResearch institute
Industrials and manufacturing
Civil and Structural Engineering, Geophysics, Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
HLA LaboratoryHLA LaboratoryKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Healthcare and life sciences
Hematology, Transplantation, Surgery
Hyogo Prefectural Institute of TechnologyHyogo Prefectural Institute of TechnologyKobe, JapanResearch institute
Industrials and manufacturing
Materials Chemistry, Control and Systems Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering1917
Hyogo Prefectural Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesHyogo Prefectural Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesKasai, JapanResearch institute
Agriculture and food
Agronomy and Crop Science, Oceanography, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Industrial Technology Center of Wakayama PrefectureIndustrial Technology Center of Wakayama PrefectureWakayama, JapanResearch institute
Chemicals and materials
Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering
Institute for Health Outcomes & Process Evaluation ResearchInstitute for Health Outcomes & Process Evaluation ResearchKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Healthcare and life sciences
Nephrology, Hematology, Pharmacology
Institute for Laser TechnologyInstitute for Laser TechnologyOsaka, JapanResearch institute
Industrials and manufacturing
Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Computational Mechanics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering1987
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research InstituteJapan Synchrotron Radiation Research InstituteSayō, JapanResearch institute
Chemicals and materials
Radiation, Materials Chemistry, Surfaces, Coatings and Films1990
KRIKRIKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Industrials and manufacturing
Condensed Matter Physics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Chemistry1987
Kyoto City Institute of Health and Environmental SciencesKyoto City Institute of Health and Environmental SciencesKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Healthcare and life sciences
Hematology, Immunology, Oncology
Kyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Technology CenterKyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Technology CenterKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Agriculture and food
Insect Science, Plant Science, Genetics
Miyakojima iGRT ClinicMiyakojima iGRT ClinicOsaka, JapanResearch institute
Healthcare and life sciences
Radiation, Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
NARD InstituteNARD InstituteAmagasaki, JapanResearch institute
Energy and resources
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Water Science and Technology, Organic Chemistry1972
Research Institute for Humanity and NatureNational Institutes for the HumanitiesKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Environment and climate
Geochemistry and Petrology, Global and Planetary Change, Ecology2001
Osaka International Cancer InstituteOsaka International Cancer InstituteOsaka, JapanResearch institute
Healthcare and life sciences
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Surgery, Oncology1959
Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public HealthOsaka Prefectural Institute of Public HealthOsaka, JapanResearch institute
Healthcare and life sciences
Food Science, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Cancer Research1972
Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and TechnologyOsaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and TechnologyOsaka, JapanResearch institute
Chemicals and materials
Polymers and Plastics, Organic Chemistry, Building and Construction1916
Quantum Chemistry Research InstituteQuantum Chemistry Research InstituteKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Basic science
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence2006
Research Institute for Production DevelopmentResearch Institute for Production DevelopmentKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Healthcare and life sciences
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Condensed Matter Physics1947
Research Institute of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Osaka PrefectureResearch Institute of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Osaka PrefectureOsaka, JapanResearch institute
Agriculture and food
Insect Science, Plant Science, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis1968
Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the EarthResearch Institute of Innovative Technology for the EarthKyoto, JapanResearch institute
Multidisciplinary research
Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Molecular Biology1990
RIKEN Advanced Science InstituteRIKENKobe, JapanResearch institute
Basic science
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Condensed Matter Physics, Molecular Biology2008
RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchRIKENKobe, JapanResearch institute
Healthcare and life sciences
Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Cell Biology2018

Countries

Organisations

Other leading ecosystems

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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