About TFC

Since its establishment in 1907, Tohoku University has followed its tradition of ‘Research First’, its philosophy of ‘Open Doors’, and its ethos of ‘Practice–Oriented Research and Education’, all of which have enabled it to produce leading figures and numerous research achievements.

In 2024, Tohoku University became the first institution in Japan to meet the requirements for accreditation as a University for International Research Excellence. Tohoku University humbly accepts the great honor and responsibility of being a leading research university in Japan. I believe that what is required of us is to create world–class knowledge and drive transformative change that will lead us to the future. Through our activities, we will support students and young researchers, helping them achieve their goals and cultivating their talents so that they may be active on the world stage.

Thanks to the efforts of many people, the university's Tohoku Forum for Creativity (TFC) was established in 2013 as the first international visitor research institute in Japan. The TFC facilitates interdisciplinary research with international collaborators, fosters young global leaders, and creates new research fields. In order to identify important issues across the sciences and humanities, the TFC runs programs that bring together junior and senior researchers in a stimulating environment and promote creative approaches to new, interdisciplinary research areas. Through these programs, the TFC provides a place for young researchers and students to interact directly with world–class researchers, including Nobel Prize winners, and engage in exchanges about research results. In this way, the TFC helps play a major role in strengthening the university's research capabilities, in building international networks, and in nurturing talented, globally oriented individuals who can contribute to solving the common issues our society faces. The TFC also strives to disseminate knowledge widely and expand the scope of its audience by holding academic events for the general public where they too can interact with leading researchers. Through the TFC, we are working to solve common issues and implement research results for the good of society through collaborative programs with various actors such as companies, local governments, individual citizens, as well as other international industry–academia actors.

On behalf of the university, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the tremendous support the TFC has received so far and ask for your continued support for the TFC and its activities.