At the Research Center for Accelerator and Radioisotope Science, we facilitate and promote research utilizing a wide variety of quantum beams—including electrons, photons, protons, neutrons, and ion beams—as well as diverse short-lived radioisotopes (RI) produced by these beams. As a Joint Usage / Research Center designated by MEXT, Japan, we actively support collaborative research efforts worldwide. Our research spans a broad range of fields, from fundamental science to applied studies, including quark, hadron, nuclear physics, radiochemistry, nuclear pharmacy, and nuclear medicine, using short-lived RI and imaging technologies that support the medical field and other measurement techniques. Additionally, we advance cutting-edge accelerator science and beam physics research to enable more sophisticated beam utilization experiments.
In recent years, new research applications utilizing short-lived RI have gained attention, such as theranostics, a medical technology that enables simultaneous therapy and diagnostics. Furthermore, national initiatives—including the Integrated Innovation Strategy and the Action Plan for the Promotion of Medical Radioisotope Production and Utilization—emphasize the comprehensive advancement of research and development related to RI production, its practical application, widespread adoption, and domestic production. As a result, societal interest in research using short-lived RI and efforts toward its practical implementation continues to grow.
Our center aims to continue promoting fundamental scientific research, strengthen the capacity for short-lived RI production, promote its utilization, accumulate technical expertise, and establish a sustainable cycle of RI application and expansion. Additionally, we seek to build a collaborative research network among scientists working with short-lived RI and foster the creation of new research fields utilizing these isotopes.
At the same time, the advancement of research using quantum beams and short-lived RI requires highly specialized professionals in fields such as radiation safety management and accelerator technology. We recognize it as our responsibility to leverage the researcher network we have built to its fullest potential and nurture the next generation of experts who will drive future advancements in this field.
