Asian CORE Program by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Frontiers of material, photo- and theoretical molecular sciences. （独）日本学術振興会アジア研究教育拠点事業 物質・光・理論分子科学のフロンティア

As Director General of IMS, first of all, I would like to extend my hearty welcome to all of you to this first General Meeting of Asian Core Program in molecular science.

For long time, it has been my dream to substantially promote basic sciences in Asia and to bring up excellent young scientists in Asia, and finally to create new sciences from Asia. And as I always say, these activities should be based on our own philosophy. This collaboration program is just a small first step forward for that, but I think this is a very good start.

You know, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan should play crucial roles to promote basic sciences in Asia, not just brushing up our own activities, but also promoting the whole activities in whole Asia. This new century should be really new in many respects. After 100 years from the discovery of quantum mechanics and with a new wave of biosciences, new material sciences and new life sciences are expected to be born in this century.

Molecular science should and can play significant roles in this respect. In order to realize that brand new ideas should be brought up. Nowadays, unfortunately, a bit too much pressure is put on us for the so called technological innovation, but we scientists should keep our own spirits and philosophy to pursue the researches of basic sciences and open up new dimensions in basic sciences for future and for society.

New philosophy is definitely required. We have to go beyond the Western style philosophy of reductionism and simple divisionism. In order to create new sciences you have to have your own philosophy. You should play important roles and make this century Asian century. I don't mean at all to make Asia dominate the world, but I mean that we should contribute to human being and its society based on our philosophy in harmony with nature.

I understand that many collaborations have already started in this Asian Core Program. I hope that these will be strengthened through the meeting this time, and also further new ideas and collaborations will emerge from here.
All my nice dear friends, why don't we work together to promote various activities in molecular science in Asia?

The meeting this time is organized in a unique way and a lot of time is allotted for discussions and exchanging ideas. So please enjoy this meeting scientifically and also enjoy your short stay in Okazaki.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Hiroki Nakamura
Director General
Institute for Molecular Science
(March 1st, 2007,　Welcome address at the reception of the 1st Annual Meeting)