Message from Director-General
Since the Institute of Statistical Mathematics (ISM) was established under the management of the Ministry of Education in June 1944, ISM has pursued distinctive activities to meet the needs of the times and environment. This year marks its 80th anniversary. ISM has consistently focused on developing novel mathematical methods for data acquisition, interpretation, modeling, and decision-making to serve a wide range of disciplines. Statistical and mathematical sciences do not exist in a vacuum. Building on the efforts of generations of researchers, ISM has embraced the belief that a "mathematical understanding of reality and facts paves the way to discovering the truth." Our primary mission is to create new outstanding mathematical models and approaches that help reconstruct the reality and facts and consequently, contribute to the progressof fundamental science.
Based on discussions to advance our primary m mission, we made a strategic decision to reorganize our three departments in March 2024, looking ahead to ISM’s 100th anniversary. Specififically, this reorganization aims to (i) establish a framework that enhances ISM’s research potential and social applications of research fifindings, (ii) shape and enrich the academic societies and associations of statistical and mathematical sciences, and (iii) support and maintain ISM's research activities in scientifific arenas that require collaboration with us.
The main feature of this reorganization is the creation of the Department of Advanced Data Science, which is directly supervised by the Director-General. This department hosts two centers for advanced research: the Research Center for Statistical Machine Learning and the Research Center for Materials Informatics. The former promotes cross-disciplinary activities, while the latter is dedicated to research in specifific areas. We are also planning to launch the Virtual Laboratory, which will facilitate dynamic collaborations between the two centers and their networks of partnering institutions. In addition, it will not only support leading theoretical and methodological studies of ISM and other institutes but will also advance applications to specifific research fifields. Thus, the Virtual Laboratory will function as a leading research hub and catalyzesynergistic research endeavors.
Statistical and mathematical sciences connect researchers from diverse backgrounds as it naturally lends itself to interdisciplinary applications. Thus, another aspect of our mission is to develop and apply powerful statistical and mathematical methodologies to overcome social challenges through various multidisciplinary and industry-government-academia collaborations. Utilizing the networks established through the Network Of Excellence (NOE) Project, we will continue to advance national and international joint activities as the hub with an emphasis on multidisciplinary integration and creation of new disciplines.
Quite different from other countries, Japan’s higher education system did not provide postgraduate statistics programs until recently. To meet the academic demands of Japan, ISM has offered various programs to develop and train statisticians as part of its core activities. Initiatives include the Project for Fostering and Promoting Statistical Thinking and the Project for Training Experts in Statistical Sciences. The former covers a wide array of advanced audiences. The latter focuses on faculty and staff development. These activities to expand statistical literacy and expertise will gain momentum as another facet of ISM’s mission. The fifirst-term enrollment in the Project for Training Experts in Statistical Sciences was comprised of junior researchers with various specialties from 29 institutions. They received their certifificate of completion diplomas in September 2023. Now, we are formulating the graduate curriculum and statistical education systems for the 29 institutions participating in the project. We have high expectations for the continuation and expansion of this time-limited project.
In May 2023, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was legally recategorized as a Class 5 Infectious Disease. This reclassifification has lifted the ban on domestic and international travel and visits, allowing us to resume in-person academic interactions and meetings. We strive to make social contributions through the research and education activities that take advantage of ISM’s features.
We sincerely ask for your continued understanding and support.