Research Base Council to Build a Platform Connecting Universities and Institutions, Declaring 2026 the 'Research Infrastructure Innovation Year' — Transforming Japan into 'One Giant Lab'

The General Incorporated Association Research Base Council (Representative Director: Shingo Ebata) will begin building a research infrastructure platform that connects universities and research institutions across Japan cross-sectionally starting in FY2026.

This initiative is linked with the 'International Excellence Research University System,' 'J-PEAKS (Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities Promotion Business)' promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and 'EPOCH (Advanced Research Infrastructure Refurbishment Business),' which is responsible for advancing research foundations. The goal is to structurally strengthen our nation's research power.

The council has positioned 2026 as the 'Inaugural Year of Research Infrastructure Innovation,' aiming to make all of Japan function as 'One Giant Lab' by integrating dispersed research equipment, techniques, data, and human resources.

### Background: Why Research Infrastructure Now? In recent years, while Japan's decline in research power has been pointed out internationally, we do not perceive the essence of the problem as a matter of individual researchers' abilities.

To compete globally, Japan urgently needs an 'infrastructure (platform)' that maximizes researchers' power, but its development has been slow. Inability to access necessary equipment, lack of professional technical support, fragmented data—these structural issues are considered significant barriers to research potential.

'From an era depending on individual effort to an era of winning with resilient research infrastructure.' We believe this shift is the key to bringing Japan's research power back to world-class levels.

### Initiative Overview: 'One Platform' for Japan's Entire Research Infrastructure Under this concept, the following initiatives will be promoted:

1. Construction of a Nation-wide Research Infrastructure Network Collaborating with member universities and supporting members to create an environment where research equipment and devices can be used regardless of affiliation or region.

2. Integrated Platform for Equipment, Talent, and Data Building an integrated foundation including not only equipment but also technical support personnel and research data to enhance the overall research process.

3. Evidence-based Research Infrastructure Management Accumulating and analyzing data on equipment utilization and investment effects in cooperation with the government to enable scientific evidence-based investment and policy planning.

4. Expanding Opportunities for Early-career and Regional Researchers Ensuring all researchers, regardless of funding or affiliation, have access to cutting-edge environments.