To strengthen its international presence and communicate the appeal of Japan as a destination for world‑leading science, the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) took part in two major scientific gatherings in the United States: the Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting in Boston and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Both exhibitions offered an important opportunity for WPI to meet overseas researchers face‑to‑face, share information about the WPI centers’ globally open research environments, and better understand the interests and aspirations of the next generation of scientists.

At each venue, the WPI booth was designed to welcome visitors with a clear and inviting message. Large banners featuring the phrases “Join World‑Leading Research in Japan” and “Build Your Career in Japan” served as a visual anchor, emphasizing WPI’s commitment to supporting researchers who wish to pursue ambitious science.

During the MRS Fall Meeting, WPI exhibited from December 2 to 4 with two participating WPI centers: WPI-AIMR of Tohoku University and WPI-iCeMS of Kyoto University. The booth featured a range of displays, from promotional videos to the two centers’ brochures and branded goods to help visitors learn more about the diverse research being conducted across the centers.

Demonstrations and physical exhibits added an interactive dimension to the booth. A simple desk‑top experiment conducted as an introduction to WPI-AIMR’s research quickly became a conversation starter, while WPI-iCeMS showcased actual samples of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), drawing interest following Dr. KITAGAWA Susumu’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry that year. JSPS Washington Office also contributed materials that introduced JSPS’s fellowship programs designed to support international researchers seeking opportunities in Japan.

From the moment the exhibition opened, the WPI booth attracted a steady stream of visitors. Over three days, about 500 people stopped by, most of them graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Many explained that, although they were not yet familiar with WPI, they were eager to learn more about opportunities to conduct “science in Japan.” Conversations revealed a strong interest not only in the research conducted at WPI centers but also in career prospects, working conditions, and pathways for early-career scientists to begin building their futures in Japan. Several visitors expressed enthusiasm about applying for internships or positions at WPI centers, indicating that continued outreach could further strengthen these connections.

At the AGU Annual Meeting, WPI exhibited alongside the JSPS Washington and San Francisco Offices. The booth was joined by three WPI centers: WPI-I²CNER of Kyushu University, WPI-ELSI of Institute of Science Tokyo, and WPI-AIMEC of Tohoku University & JAMSTEC. Like the MRS booth, the display featured center‑specific materials and the same unified branding that had proven effective earlier in the month.

The booth’s four‑day presence resulted in about 500 visitors, again composed mainly of early‑career researchers such as graduate students and postdocs. Many approached the booth with questions not only about the science carried out at the centers, but also about the international research environment that distinguishes WPI. Interest in topics such as English-based communication, support systems for non‑Japanese researchers, and financial and institutional resources was particularly strong.

Visitors responded especially well to information about WPI’s international environment, including the fact that more than 30 percent of researchers at WPI centers are non‑Japanese and that English is used in everyday life. These discussions reaffirmed that WPI’s international approach remains one of its strongest attractions for young researchers exploring global career paths.

In total, close to 1,000 researchers visited WPI booths across the two conferences. The direct conversations that took place revealed a clear enthusiasm among overseas early‑career researchers for pursuing scientific careers beyond their home countries, with Japan emerging as a compelling option for many. The strong reputation of Japanese science—particularly in materials science and geoscience—played an important role in drawing interest, and the opportunity to speak directly with current staff from WPI centers offered visitors a clearer picture of what life and research in Japan might look like.

Participation in MRS and AGU enabled WPI to achieve three key outcomes: enhancing international recognition, effectively communicating the strengths of its research environments, and gaining insights into the needs and interests of overseas researchers. The exhibitions also demonstrated the advantages of participating in field‑specific conferences, where nearly all attendees are active researchers and many are thinking actively about the next steps in their careers.

WPI will continue to build on the momentum created by these exhibitions, strengthening its connections within the global scientific community and welcoming researchers who aspire to join vibrant, internationally engaged research centers across Japan.