About iTHEMS
The RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) is a research hub that builds on mathematics and theoretical sciences to create new knowledge and value across a wide range of fields, including nature, life, society, and information.
We study fundamental, unresolved questions such as the origins of the universe and the mechanisms of life, while also tackling the challenges of modern society from the dynamics of social phenomena to advances in AI and quantum technologies using the common language of mathematics. History has repeatedly shown that basic research, which may appear to have no immediate application, can end up underpinning society a century later. Our daily lives are shaped by technologies and theories that were unimaginable a hundred years ago, and no one can foresee how today’s research will shape the future. iTHEMS is a place where deep exploration of fundamental science intersects with diverse disciplines to generate unexpected discoveries and innovations; this is the very essence of iTHEMS.
Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Mathematical Sciences
With the rapid advancement of science and technology, we now face phenomena of unprecedented scale and complexity. Challenges such as climate change, infectious diseases, economic systems, artificial intelligence, and quantum information science cannot be fully addressed by any single discipline. To confront these issues, it is essential to adopt a perspective that connects knowledge across diverse fields such as physics, life sciences, social sciences, and information science. At the heart of this integrative effort lies mathematical science.
Just as Einstein’s theory of relativity has become indispensable to the accuracy of GPS technology, it often takes decades for the fruits of basic science to be applied in society. Precisely because of this, research driven not by immediate utility but by pure intellectual curiosity is becoming ever more valuable.
John von Neumann was one of the most remarkable mathematicians of the 20th century, and also a pioneering physicist, engineer, and computer scientist. He established the foundational architecture for modern computers—the von Neumann architecture—and made groundbreaking contributions across a wide range of fields, including quantum statistical mechanics, socioeconomics, and weather prediction. He believed that the true mission of mathematical science is to create new mathematics inspired by phenomena in nature and society. At iTHEMS, we inherit this vision. With a spirit of pure inquiry, we engage with the complexity of the real world and take on the challenge of creating new mathematical frameworks.
The Organization and Evolution of iTHEMS
In April 2025, iTHEMS evolved from a program into a formal research center within RIKEN, adopting a new organizational structure. With a core mission of pursuing fundamental sciences such as mathematics, physics, and biology, iTHEMS new divisions envisions applications to societal challenges and future technologies. The knowledge generated through collaboration among these divisions is one of the defining strengths of iTHEMS as a center.
SUURI ENGINE: Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science
This division forms the core of iTHEMS. It brings together researchers from diverse mathematical fields—mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, computational science, and information science—who interact daily to tackle fundamental questions about the origins of the universe, matter, and life. This "under-one-roof" environment fosters intellectual cross-pollination across disciplines. In pure mathematics, in particular, the pursuit of abstract structures and universal principles not only deepens theoretical understanding but also often leads to unexpected impacts on other scientific domains.
SUURI WING: Division of Applied Mathematical Science
This division extends the insights of fundamental science into solutions for societal challenges and future technologies. It aims to apply the accumulated knowledge of mathematical sciences—developed through basic research—to areas such as AI for Science, quantum computing, applied mathematics, medical science, predictive science, and mathematical social science. The division drives forward future-oriented research initiatives.
SUURI COOL: Division of Global Collaborations and Research Talent Development
This division operates domestic satellite offices at institutions such as Kyoto University, Kyushu University, KEK, the University of Tokyo, and Tohoku University to promote collaboration and nurture young researchers. It also strengthens ties with overseas institutions such as the RIKEN-Berkeley Center to advance global brain circulation.
SUURI CONNECT: Division of Social Cooperation and Outreach
Serving as a bridge between science and society, this division leads industry-academia partnerships and outreach activities. It aims to communicate the value and appeal of mathematical sciences to a broad audience and collaborates with private-sector partners to create new societal value.
Facilitating daily interactions
Collaboration among researchers beyond disciplines is a challenging task. Sometimes the technical terms used in a field may sound like a foreign language to researchers in other fields, creating a barrier to effective communication.
One way to overcome these barriers is to have a place for researchers to interact on a daily basis and talk about each other's research in easy-to-understand terms. One of the efforts to create such an environment is the coffee meeting which is held every Friday at 12:30. At the coffee meeting, we ask one iTHEMS member to give a 15-minute presentation, followed by free discussion over coffee and tea. Since the researchers are from different fields, the presenter needs to explain their work in plain terms. Getting a clear understanding of each other's research can lead to collaborative projects. Mathematical science is not just about accumulating knowledge; it is about sowing the seeds that will shape the intellectual legacy of humanity and the future of society. Believing in the value of fundamental science and contributing to it as a bridge between today’s inquiry and the next century’s breakthroughs is one of our greatest responsibilities.
At iTHEMS, researchers at the forefront of various fields stimulate one another and try to develop new ideas that will become the foundation for science a century from now. Stay tuned to see what kind of science emerges from iTHEMS!