Joji Sakurai’s Commitment to the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research

Focusing on the Founding and Initial Management of the Institute

Abstract

This study examines the involvement of Joji Sakurai (1858-1939) in the establishment of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN). It is known that Eiichi Shibusawa (1840-1931) became the flagbearer of the institute after Jokichi Takamine (1854-1922) proposed the idea of establishing a research institute. However, the fact that Takamine lived in the United States, and Shibusawa was not a scientist makes their contribution to establishment of RIKEN unclear.

We examined the materials regarding the process of RIKEN’s establishment, including primary documents in the institute’s collection. We found that it was Sakurai who proposed the framework of the organization and essentially laid its foundation through his intense involvement. During RIKEN’s establishment, Sakurai requested cooperation from researchers in chemistry and physics, solicited donations from the industry, and negotiated with government officials for cooperation on raising funds for endowments and government grants. Furthermore, he attended various meetings, conducted planning and discussions before and after the meetings, made a contract for the purchase of land, conducted personnel procedures such as employment and payroll, and served as the acting director at the president’s coronation ceremony. Thus, he took on the role of the head of operations and assumed charge of the institute’s practical affairs. Sakurai’s motivation for working hard was based on his inability to pursue genuine scientific research because of the lack of time and funds during his tenure at the university. Though the research institute was the first of its kind in Japan, severe financial difficulties caused internal divisions. As the deputy director, it was ironic that Sakurai resigned to taking responsibility for the disruption.