Program Director Tetsuo Hatsuda has been elected a new International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

On 24 April 2024, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences announced the election of 250 new members (25 new International Honorary Members) and Tetsuo Hatsuda, Program Director of the RIKEN iTHEMS, was elected as a new International Honorary Member. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is the oldest academy in the United States, founded in 1780, and the Academy's mission is stated as follows: Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences honors excellence and convenes leaders from every field of human endeavor to examine new ideas, address issues of importance to the nation and the world, and work together “to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.”

"We honor these artists, scholars, scientists, and leaders in the public, non-profit, and private sectors for their accomplishments and for the curiosity, creativity, and courage required to reach new heights,” said David Oxtoby, President of the Academy. “We invite these exceptional individuals to join in the Academy’s work to address serious challenges and advance the common good."

From RIKEN, Akito Arima (former President of RIKEN), Ryoji Noyori (former President of RIKEN), Masatoshi Takeichi (former Director of the Center for Developmental Biology) and Shigeyuki Yokoyama (former Director of the RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center) have been selected. This year, two Japanese have been selected: Tetsuo Hatsuda (Director of the RIKEN iTHEMS) and Isao Kumakura (Professor Emeritus, National Museum of Ethnology). Induction ceremonies for new members will take place on 21 September in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Comment from Tetsuo Hatada, Program Director:
"I feel very honoured to be appointed as a foreign honorary member of the Academy. I hope to contribute to the well-being of humanity and the development of science in cooperation with my seniors in various fields."