The year 1995 saw the enactment of the Science and Technology Basic Law, followed in August 1998 with the enactment of the Law Promoting Technology Transfer from Universities to Industry. In June 1999 a report from the Ministry of Education Science Council argued the need for collaboration at universities among industry, government, and academia. In August the same year, the Law on Special Measures for Industrial Revitalization was enacted. This was followed in April 2000 by the Law to Strengthen Industrial Technical Ability, which provided the policy and legislative environment to support industry-government-academia collaboration. As social expectations regarding university research functions and their results grow, so do the obligations of universities in that regard.

In order that the University fulfill its role and social responsibility as a research facility, it has to encourage organic links between the different research activities underway within its walls, as well as establishing collaborative projects with institutions within and outside Japan. The RDI is realizing this objective.



The research activities of the RDI are conducted by individual research units on a project-by-project basis. Each unit operates under a sunset clause, which limits the unit conducting the research to the parameters defined by the external funding, with a clearly defined topic, objectives, period, and conditions of the research. The system enables each research unit to conduct germinal research based on interdisciplinary activities, producing original technology and theories to aid in the search for answers to issues facing society.

Each unit employs researchers appropriate to its research (full-time researchers, visiting research fellows, and assistant researchers). The RDI Organizing Committee decides on employment and determines the titles to be awarded to full-time researchers possessing specialized expertise or technical knowledge. Such researchers are awarded the title of RDI Professor, RDI Associate Professor, or RDI Research Associate.



Five years after its founding, the RDI relocated its center of activities to the Korakuen Campus. Provisions have been made at the Korakuen Campus for a dedicated research facility, including individual research rooms, work rooms, conference rooms, and meeting rooms. The facility is equipped to provide the ideal environment for conducting research.

The facility provides a comprehensive support system, including a facility-wide information network and support from the office staff, to create an environment that is highly conducive to producing even greater research results.