The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), one of the largest public research organizations in Japan, focuses on the creation and practical realization of technologies useful to Japanese industry and society, and on “bridging” the gap between innovative technological seeds and commercialization.

For this, AIST is organized into 5 departments and 2 centers that bring together core technologies to exert its comprehensive strength.

AIST, as a core and pioneering existence of the national innovation system, has about 2300 researchers doing research and development at 11 research bases across the country, based on the national strategies formulated bearing in mind the changing environment regarding innovation.

AIST is also actively building a global network by, for example, signing memorandums of understanding for comprehensive research cooperation (MOUs) with major research institutes around the world.