RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) | iTHEMS

Featured News

Farewell message from Osamu Fukushima

Our colleague, Osamu Fukushima, will be joining the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, as an Assistant Professor. We will all miss him and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor. Here is a message from Osamu: <i>I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at iTHEMS as I leave my position as a Special Postdoctoral Researcher. During my time at iTHEMS, I greatly benefited from its open and interdisciplinary research environment. My research has mainly focused on theoretical and mathematical physics, but interactions with researchers from a wide range of fields encouraged me to broaden my perspective and explore new research directions.</i> <i>I especially appreciated the many stimulating discussions, seminars, and informal conversations at iTHEMS. They often gave me new ideas and perspectives that I would not have encountered within my own field.</i> <i>I would like to thank all the researchers, assistants, and staff for their support and for making iTHEMS such a welcoming place to work. Although I am leaving iTHEMS, I hope to stay connected and continue interacting and collaborating with its members in the future. It has been a great pleasure to be part of the iTHEMS community.</i>

2026-10-01
Workshop “Quantum Information: Entanglement of Mathematics & Physics” Held at UBC

From September 21 to 23, 2026, iTHEMS held the workshop “Quantum Information: Entanglement of Mathematics & Physics” at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. The workshop brought together researchers in mathematics and physics to foster cross-disciplinary discussion through the shared lens of quantum information. Its wide-ranging program covered operator algebras, quantum resource theories, quantum gravity, condensed-matter physics, quantum computing, and quantum error correction. Participants discussed entanglement in these different fields and the mathematical structures underlying quantum information. Approximately 40 researchers from iTHEMS, UBC, and other universities and research institutions in Japan and Canada participated in the workshop. Over the three days, 21 talks were presented. Generous time was also allocated each day for discussion, allowing participants from different fields to share their perspectives and research methods and to engage in lively exchanges. Viewing the participants’ research through the common perspective of quantum information revealed many concrete ways in which insights and methods from distinct fields can complement one another. The broad range of expertise represented by researchers from Japan and Canada gave depth to the discussions and enabled an organic exchange of ideas, with candid questions and challenges addressed across disciplinary boundaries. On the final day, a plenary discussion entitled “Entanglement across mathematics and physics; future iTHEMS–UBC collaboration” explored how the exchanges initiated at the workshop could lead to future research collaboration between iTHEMS and UBC. The workshop also provided a valuable opportunity to build relationships toward sustained academic exchange and a possible Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions. By connecting diverse areas of mathematics and physics through quantum information, the workshop expanded opportunities for new exchanges and collaborative research, while further strengthening the partnership between iTHEMS and UBC.

2026-09-30
Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit Joins OIST Mirror Lab

The Mathematical Genomics RIKEN ECL Research Unit, led by RIKEN ECL Unit Leader Leo Speidel at iTHEMS, has joined an OIST Mirror Lab together with research groups from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), the Max Planck Institute, and Karolinska Institutet. Mirror Labs are a framework established by OIST to foster long-term research partnerships with institutions in Japan and abroad. Through joint research, researcher exchanges, and the development of early-career researchers, Mirror Labs promote sustained collaboration that brings together the complementary expertise of participating research groups. The newly established “The Evolutionary History of Archaic and Modern Humans Mirror Lab” brings together research groups from OIST, the Max Planck Institute, Karolinska Institutet, and RIKEN to investigate human evolution and population history using genomic data from Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans. The collaboration will explore topics including genetic admixture between archaic and modern humans and the more recent population history of modern humans, particularly in the Japanese Archipelago. The unit will contribute its expertise in population genetic analyses to research on human migration, admixture, and evolution through analyses of modern and ancient genomes.

2026-09-29
AI for Science Summer School 2026 Held on August 25–27, 2026

The AI for Science Summer School was held on August 25–27, 2026, at RIKEN Wako Campus, with online participation via Zoom. Jointly organized by the AI as Science Team and the DEEP-IN Working Group, the three-day school brought together more than 40 participants for lectures and hands-on coding sessions exploring how artificial intelligence can support scientific research. The program focused on three practical questions concerning where AI can help address scientific problems, how to choose appropriate methods, and how to apply them effectively. Masato Taki (Rikkyo University/RIKEN) introduced machine learning fundamentals, and Lingxiao Wang (RIKEN/The University of Tokyo) discussed generative modeling. Vinicius Massami Mikuni (Nagoya University) presented foundation models and parameter inference. Naoya Takeishi (The University of Tokyo) covered simulation-based inference. Akinori Tanaka (RIKEN) and Conglong Li (Google DeepMind) explored large language models and their applications to scientific discovery. Hands-on tutorials complemented the lectures. Tutors included Yang-yang Tan (The University of Tokyo), Jinyang Li (KEK/RIKEN), Victor Kawasaki-Borruat (EPFL), and Jingzong Zhang (Fudan University). The sessions covered supervised and unsupervised learning, generative models, data generation, and AI-assisted research workflows. These tutorials connected the lecture material with practical implementation. By combining conceptual introductions with practical exercises, the school offered participants an opportunity to explore how AI methods could be incorporated into their own research. Its emphasis on scientific questions connected the different topics, from interpreting data and generating samples to assisting the research process itself. We thank all lecturers, tutors, participants, and iTHEMS staff for their contributions and support. Reported by Lingxiao Wang

2026-09-25
A simulation of the Milky Way galaxy, utilizing exascale supercomputers and AI, advances to Finals for 2026 ACM Gordon Bell Prize

A research group including Dr. Keiya Hirashima of the RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 ACM Gordon Bell Prize for large-scale Milky Way galaxy simulations using exascale supercomputers and AI. Further details will be available soon.

2026-09-24
Farewell message from Yuto Yamamoto

Our colleague, Yuto Yamamoto, will be joining the Department of Mathematics, School of Science, Institute of Science Tokyo as an Assistant Professor starting in October 2026. We will all miss him and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor. Here is a message from Yuto: <i>I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been a member of iTHEMS. During my time here, I enjoyed the stimulating research environment and many opportunities to interact with researchers from different fields.</i> <i>I would like to thank all the members and administrative staff of iTHEMS for their support and for making my time here productive and enjoyable. I have learned a lot from seminars, discussions, and informal conversations with colleagues.</i> <i>Although I am leaving iTHEMS, I hope to stay in touch and to have opportunities to meet and collaborate again in the future. I wish iTHEMS and all its members continued success.</i> <i>Thank you very much for everything.</i>

2026-09-15
Farewell message from Kai Murai

Our colleague, Kai Murai, will be joining Tohoku University as an Assistant Professor starting in October 2026. We will all miss him and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor. Here is a message from Kai: <i>At the end of September, I will leave iTHEMS and move to Tohoku University as an assistant professor.</i> <i>I joined iTHEMS as an SPDR this April. Although my time here was short, it was a very stimulating experience. I especially appreciated the environment where researchers from various fields worked in the same place. It was interesting to be surrounded by research on topics quite different from my own, and I also enjoyed the opportunities to talk with researchers from other fields.</i> <i>I am very grateful to the iTHEMS members who talked with me, as well as to the assistants for all their support. I will come back to iTHEMS for workshops and other occasions, and I look forward to seeing many of you again.</i>

2026-09-15
JST-ASPIRE Symposium Held in Palo Alto

On July 24, 2026, the JST-ASPIRE Symposium, “Strengthening Japan–U.S. Research Collaboration through International Talent Circulation,” was held at the Japan Innovation Campus in Palo Alto, California. Organized by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the symposium brought together representatives of the Japanese government, principal investigators of ASPIRE projects, early-career researchers conducting research in the United States, and U.S.-based researchers. The program focused on research activities supported by ASPIRE, the experiences of early-career researchers working abroad, and future opportunities for Japan–U.S. research collaboration. A panel discussion also addressed how international researcher mobility can contribute to strengthening research capabilities and building sustainable international networks. Four young researchers participating in the RIKEN–Berkeley Mathematical Quantum Science Initiative—Yuuka Kanakubo, Gabriele Di Ubaldo, Haruki Emori, and Shoto Aoki—gave a joint presentation. They introduced their respective research activities and shared experiences gained through conducting research in the United States, as well as their perspectives on future research and career development. Their diverse research areas, ranging from high-energy and nuclear physics to quantum gravity, quantum information, and lattice gauge theory, reflect the broad scope of the RIKEN–Berkeley collaboration. The symposium provided an opportunity to introduce the activities of the RIKEN–Berkeley Mathematical Quantum Science Initiative within the broader ASPIRE program and to consider the importance of sustained researcher exchange between Japan and the United States. Reported by Shuntaro Aoki

2026-09-15
Masason Foundation Summer Program Visit to the RIKEN–Berkeley Center on August 11, 2026

Participants in the Masason Foundation’s summer program visited the RIKEN–Berkeley Center at the University of California, Berkeley, on August 11, 2026. The summer program provides young participants with opportunities to broaden their perspectives through visits to universities, research institutions, and other organizations, and through direct interactions with researchers and professionals. The visit began with a tour of the UC Berkeley Physics Department, including an introduction to its history and research environment. This was followed by short presentations by researchers, including Shoto Aoki, Yuka Kanakubo, Gabriele Di Ubaldo, and Akira Dohi, who introduced their research activities to the participants. In the latter part of the program, the participants visited several experimental laboratories at UC Berkeley. Through the presentations, discussions, and laboratory visits, they had an opportunity to learn about a broad range of research activities and to experience firsthand the environment in which cutting-edge research is carried out. The visit provided a valuable opportunity for the young participants to interact directly with researchers at RIKEN and UC Berkeley and to gain a broader perspective on scientific research and possible future career paths. Reported by Shuntaro Aoki

2026-09-08
From Vietnam to Korea: A Summer of Quantum Computing

Duc-Truyen Le, a graduate student at Saitama University, is currently affiliated with iTHEMS as an International Program Associate (IPA). This summer, he participated in a series of quantum computing activities in Vietnam and Korea. In Vietnam, his team received an Honorable Mention at an international quantum computing hackathon involving participants from across Southeast Asia. We asked Duc-Truyen to share his experience with the iTHEMS community: From July 9 to 31, I stayed in Vietnam, mainly to prepare for and participate in a major quantum computing event that brought together scientists, industry leaders, policymakers, and government representatives. The event aimed to strengthen collaboration and promote investment in quantum technologies across both the public and private sectors. The program consisted of a series of activities held over more than a week, including workshops, discussions, networking events, and competitions. One of the highlights was the International Hackathon on Quantum Computing for Social Good (QC4SG Vietnam 2026 / 2nd SEA Quantathon), which brought together participants from across Southeast Asia. The competition was highly selective, with more than 500 initial applications. Selected teams went through a training phase before the finalists were invited to Vietnam to present their projects. For more information about the competition, please see the related link below. Among more than 20 finalist teams, comprising around 100 participants, our team, QuanWatt, was honored to receive an Honorable Mention. It was a rewarding experience and a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with participants from different backgrounds. Our project explored how quantum computing could contribute to the analysis of modern power systems, which are becoming increasingly complex with the growing integration of renewable energy sources and smart-grid technologies. Although considerable work remains before such approaches can be applied in practice, it was encouraging to see increasing interest from both academia and industry in practical applications of quantum computing. Following the program in Vietnam, I traveled to Korea, where I attended a course at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) from August 1 to 8 on “Quantum Computing for Quantum Field Theory.” This provided another valuable opportunity to learn about the rapidly developing connections between quantum computing and fundamental physics. Overall, these experiences in Vietnam and Korea were both memorable and intellectually stimulating. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate and for the continued support I have received from iTHEMS.

2026-09-01

Videos

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) is an international research center at RIKEN. It facilitates close collaborations among researchers from different disciplines in theoretical, mathematical and computational sciences. On April 1, 2025, iTHEMS transitioned from a program to a center. The ultimate goal of iTHEMS is to unravel the mystery of the Universe, matter, and life, as well as to solve key problems in modern society through interdisciplinary approaches.

Photo of Satoshi Iso

Director: Satoshi Iso

Upcoming Events

More events Event Calendar

Opportunities

More opportunities

Latest News

Upcoming Visitors