Hosted by some of Japan’s most prestigious universities and institutes — including the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tohoku University, and RIKEN — this unprecedented four-day event showcases how interdisciplinary, high-risk research is shaping the life sciences of the future.
The Science Summit consists of two parts. The High-Level Event on 3 October, held at the University of Tokyo’s historic Yasuda Auditorium, will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions with Nobel Laureates and HFSP Nakasone Award winners. Surrounding this will be three dynamic satellite events hosted by Tohoku University (1 October), RIKEN (2 October), and Kyoto University (4 October), where laureates will engage directly with early-career scientists in workshops, poster sessions, and thematic roundtables. The events are designed to foster dialogue between generations and disciplines, encouraging bold ideas and cross-border collaboration.
“Serendipitous discoveries ushered in most of the groundbreaking innovations and progress that humanity has experienced over the last century,” said Pavel Kabat, Secretary-General, International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO). “We are therefore grateful to the Government of Japan to welcome our initiative and support the Science Summit Events. Bringing together the world’s science leaders and top researchers, representing diverse disciplines, with the young generation of Japanese scientists will be beneficial for future research outlook.”
Among the High-Level speakers are:
- Frances Arnold, 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Thomas Cech, 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Martin Chalfie, 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Tim Hunt, 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Takaaki Kajita, 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics
- Paul Nurse, 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Svante Pääbo, 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or
- Medicine & 2018 HFSP Nakasone Award Winner
- Richard Roberts, 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Randy Schekman, 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Ada Yonath, 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The Science Summit is meant to inspire a wholly new, transdisciplinary approach spanning the life sciences, climate change, marine science, ecology, agriculture, psychology, the social sciences, and more. More than 100 presentations, including flash talks and discussions are planned over the four days. The complete program together with the full list of speakers is available at https://hfspsummit.org/japan2025-en/ .
The summit events are organized by HFSPO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), the University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, RIKEN, and Kyoto University, and with support from Science, the flagship journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).