Committee for Presidential Initiative

A research organization aiming to provide overall administration for research projects that require the support of the University as a whole through the establishment of endowed chairs and research programs under the direct control of the Office of the President.

Director：Professor　Taikan OKI

In 2008, "Wisdom of Water" (Suntory) Corporate Sponsored Research Program, Organization for Interdisciplinary Research Projects, the University of Tokyo was founded by the University of Tokyo in collaboration with Suntory Holdings Limited. This organization is intended to promote various researches related to "water".
"Wisdom of Water" means the integrated architectonics of science and technology as well as history and culture related to interactions between water and humans. We are aiming to expand public interest in water, namely “Water literacy”, and promote development of better water environment and solutions of water issues.

Director：Professor　Takeshi KINOSHITA

We used to have one of the best ecological habitat and a variety of spices and the number of shell fish on the beach of Heda-Mihama, west coast of Izu peninsula in Showa 30s. But not recent days. The researchers of University of Tokyo and others started to measure the environment there in order to know the reason. After 2 year measurement, they proposed the local government to make holes on the breakwater. Fortunately it carried out and immediately sand quality has been improved. Now we continue to measure the environment to record the recovery process of the variety of spices and the number of shell fish.

Director：Professor　Taikan OKI

UT Water Forum (UTWF) was established in 2005 in order to encourage the academic exchanges among researchers related to "water" and to provide students with opportunities to be exposed to water-education. UTWF is intended to play the role of boosting water-related research and education network in the University of Tokyo by consolidating the information on researches, events and lecture related to water.

Director：Professor　Yasuyuki SAKAI

This joint research unit was initiated in January, 2011, among University of Tokyo’s affiliated three institutes, Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) for advanced integration of engineering disciplines, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) having its own hospital where translational research is carried out, and Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMCB) specialized in most-advanced biological research, for real integration of advanced engineering and biological knowledge toward early clinical applications. Specifically, it implements integrative approach toward mechanism-based understanding of diseases and developments/clinical applications of new drugs and treatments by focusing on alterations of biomolecules in in normal and disordered situations. The research includes identification of biomarkers, large-scale production and analyses of such biomarkers, development of cultured human tissue-based assays and their integration with numerical simulations toward evaluation/prediction of new drugs and disease treatments, development of various devices diagnostic or clinical devices etc.

Director：Professor　Masaru KITSUREGAWA

A Research organization established to promote research and Education for a better understanding of global earth observation data Integration and data fusion, to act as a point for cooperation with Domestic and international universities and research institutions, and contribute to the development of the field.

Director：Professor　Yasuhiko ARAKAWA

A research organization established to promote research and education to create innovation at the cutting-edge of the integrated fields of nanotechnology, nanophysics, quantum information and IT devices, to act as a center of excellence in collaboration with industry and domestic and international research organizations.

Director：Professor　Tamaki URA

An inter-faculty organization that forms an integrated network for ocean education and research. The organization seeks to identify key Issue related to current ocean research and acts as a think tank to develop solutions to them, whilst nurturing young, talented individuals to lead the next generation of ocean related research. The goal of the organization is to become an international focal point for education and research in ocean related fields.

Director：Professor　Hiroyuki FUJITA

A research organization established to create an inter-faculty network of researchers investigating engineering and related science on micro/nano multi-functional devices, to promote communication among them, and to contribute the expansion of the field through activities inside and outside the University.