Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Purpose & Functions, History, JSPS Logo

Purpose & Functions, History

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), or Gakushin for short, is an independent administrative institution, established by way of a national law for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of science in all fields of the natural and social sciences and the humanities. JSPS plays a pivotal role in the administration of a wide spectrum of Japan's scientific and academic programs. While working within the broad framework of government policies established to promote scientific advancement, JSPS carries out its programs in a manner flexible to the needs of the participating scientists.

JSPS was founded in 1932 as a non-profit foundation through an endowment granted by Emperor Showa. JSPS became a quasi-governmental organization in 1967 under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture (Monbusho), and since 2001 under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho). Over this 70-year period, JSPS has worked continuously to develop and implement a far-reaching array of domestic and international scientific programs. On October 1, 2003, JSPS entered a new phase with its conversion to an independent administrative institution, as which it will strive to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of its management so as to improve the quality of the services it offers to individual researchers, universities, and research institutes.

JSPS's operation is supported in large part by annual subsidies from the Japanese Government. Its main functions are:
  • To foster young researchers,
  • To promote international scientific cooperation,
  • To award Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research,
  • To support scientific cooperation between the academic community and industry, and
  • To collect and distribute information on scientific research activities.

Crowing Rooster, logo of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

From days of old in Japan, it has been the belief that the vigorous cry of the rooster in the gray of the morning augurs the coming of a new and bright day. As the crowing rooster can therefore be thought of as a harbinger of the kind of new knowledge that promises a brilliant future for humankind, it was chosen as the logo of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
This logo was designed in 1938 by Professor Sanzo Wada of Tokyo Fine Arts School to depict the rooster that symbolizes the breaking dawn in a verse composed by Emperor Showa.
設置・沿革・シンボルマーク_日本学術振興会 シンボルマーク・ロゴタイプ

How to Use the JSPS Logo?

1.Please do not alter it as the logo is JSPS’s image.

2.All rights to logo belong to JSPS. Using the logo for one’s own purposes and or for commercial purposes is not allowed.

3.With regard to the purposes, place and duration of logo usage, please apply for permission.

4.Please read the Guide for logo usage (PDF 1.21 MB), which provides information on what may and may not be done with the JSPS logo.

5.Please do not give the logo to a third party to use.

6.If you wish to use the logo as a banner on your website, please refer to JSPS’s Site Policy.

7.If you wish to use the logo in relation to a JSPS program, please first contact the JSPS program staff.

8.For questions regarding JSPS logo usage, please email us at the below address.
Public Relations Office, Policy Planning Division, Policy Planning Department

Email: publicrelations * jsps.go.jp (Please replace*with @. )