SANKEN - The official English name has changed

We are pleased to announce that the Institutes has changed its official English name to "SANKEN" as of 1 June 2021.

The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (ISIR), now in its 82nd year of operation, has achieved a great deal through the tireless efforts of its predecessors, the active work of many researchers and students, and the generous support of industry and others. As a result, there is a certain level of recognition of the Institute within the relevant research community and industry in Japan. However, what about on a global scale? We are discussing ways of raising the profile and branding of the Institute in order to make it more widely known to the general public and to people overseas. One of these is to review our official English name.

For example, many of you will immediately think of world-renowned institutions when you hear the names MIT, UCLA or RIKEN. Changing the official English name of an institution is a big decision, and one that will be used for a long time to come. That is why we have decided to change our official English name to "SANKEN", after much discussion, including questionnaires, exchanges of views and briefings with all staff, students and related members of the Institute.

Some of you may feel sad or uncomfortable about the change of the official English name (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research) and its abbreviation (ISIR), which you have been familiar with for a long time, to a simple six-letter word. However, the "SANKEN" will remain unchanged, and the achievements of The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research will continue.

As we approach the centenary of the founding of the Institute and the midst of the 21st century, when the shape of society is likely to change dramatically, we will continue to promote activities based on our philosophy of contributing to society through the promotion of advanced research and co-creation, so that "SANKEN" will be widely recognized and familiar throughout the world as "that research institute" in Osaka.

We would like to ask for your continued support and cooperation so that "SANKEN" can further spread its wings around the world.


June 2021
Tohru Sekino
Director of SANKEN, Osaka University

New official English name: SANKEN
Date of application: from 1 June 2021
*There will be a transition period of approximately five years, during which the former name will be used in a concurrent manner, if necessary, as follows SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research)
*There will be no change in the official Japanese name (産業科学研究所) (abbreviation: 産研).