Happy New Year.
 
Looking back on the past year, while the world has entered a phase of a full-fledged recovery from the COVID-19 disaster and cross-border comings and goings have been restored, the year has to be marked by the severity of international relations on the diplomatic and political fronts, as the conflicts in Europe show no way out, and then there are the battles in the Middle East, the tensions in East Asia, and so on.  It is precisely at times like these that we must strive for the widest possible international exchange in fields such as science and the arts, just as we do in times of peace.  The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is also committed to further supporting international exchanges for all researchers.
 
It should also be noted that last year was a year of major changes in the funding systems for universities in Japan, with the so-called 10 Trillion Yen Fund and the Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS) beginning to move forward.  At JSPS, which is responsible for the management of J-PEAKS, we are committed to strengthening support for the infrastructure of universities and other institutions by making J-PEAKS the third pillar, alongside the existing funding systems of Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research and Research Fellowships for Young Scientists.
 
Our best wishes to all researchers for a more fruitful year ahead.