SESAME is an international research institute in the Middle-East, located at the north-west suburb of Amman in Jordan. The main facility of SESAME is a 2.5 GeV synchrotron light source now under construction. SESAME has been established under the auspices of UNESCO to promote sciences and to create peace in this region. Nine countries participate in SESAME as members: Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Palestinian Authority, Israel, and Egypt. This paper describes the history, machine, and sciences of SESAME. It also mentions Japanese contribution to and role in SESAME.
