Sponsorship of the Physical Society of Japan Jr. Session (2026)

In 1905, Einstein published three papers—including his theory of relativity—in what is known as physics’ “miraculous year.” Exactly one hundred years later, in 2005, the United Nations declared it the “World Year of Physics.” The “Physical Society of Japan Jr. Session” launched as a next-generation talent development project for junior and senior high school students interested in physics. The Physical Society of Japan, which hosts the event, celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026.

Rigaku has sponsored this event since 2024 to support the research activities of young people who will lead the future of science and technology. As part of our sponsorship, we present the Grand Prize and Rigaku Prize for Excellence, and the Excellence Award and Rigaku Prize, and we also provide donations and award gifts.

The 22nd Physical Society of Japan Jr. Session took place on March 14th, 2026. Out of the 114 initial submissions, the selected eighty-seven teams were able to proceed to online presentation sessions. This year, the research team from Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Amaki Senior High School won the Rigaku Prize for Excellence, and the teams from Ehime Prefectural Matsuyama Minami High School and Nagoya University Affiliated Upper Secondary School received the Rigaku Prize. Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Amaki Senior High School was among the award-winning schools in 2024, when the Rigaku Grand Prize was awarded for the first time.

In addition, the Final Follow-up Presentation Meeting following the online presentation sessions, which began in 2025, was held on-site on March 21st, 2026, at the Koganei Campus of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. At the event, research teams from participating schools presented their work using posters.

Kazukhiko Omote from Rigaku’s X-ray Laboratory attended the event. While touring the venue, he actively engaged with students by asking questions about their presentations. He also heard explanations from students at Matsuyama Minami High School who received the Rigaku Award. The participating students spoke about their work with energy and confidence, and their passion and enthusiasm for research inspired Mr. Omote.

At the end of the event, the award ceremony was held to honor the winners of the Rigaku Prize for Excellence and the Rigaku Prize. Through the award comments and discussions, the students expressed their excitement and joy in sharing their work with others. Mr. Omote also encouraged the students by offering comments on their work.

We will continue to support this project in cooperation with the Physical Society of Japan.

Participation in Tokyo Greenship Action (Satoyama Conservation Activities)

On September 28, 2025, Rigaku participated in the Tokyo Greenship Action, an initiative led by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and carried out conservation activities in the satoyama area of Akiruno City.

Tokyo Greenship Action is a collaborative effort among corporations, NPOs, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to protect the natural environment of forests and satoyama in Tokyo. Through activities in conservation areas, the initiative aims to preserve biodiversity and raise environmental awareness among Tokyo residents.

Satoyama refers to a border area between villages or towns and natural mountains, with agricultural fields and ponds, or woods.

The Yokosawairi Satoyama Conservation Area, where this activity took place, consists of seven small valleys known as “yato.” Although the area was desolate due to the abandonment of farmland, ongoing conservation projects by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and local communities have helped restore its original landscape.

Rigaku’s participation in this activity was intended not only to contribute to society and raise environmental awareness but also to promote communication among employees and provide opportunities for career development.

The event was organized by the Rigaku Future Laboratory, a cross-functional team with a goal of “exploring Rigaku’s future and fostering a culture of continuous growth.” The team is divided into three groups: “Mindset Transformation,” “Networking (Communication),” and “Career Development.” This event was particularly hosted by the Career Development group.

On the day of the event, Rigaku Group employees and their families, with support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the NPO Yokosawairi Rice Field Association, harvested rice and hung it to dry in the Yokosawairi Satoyama Conservation Area. Participants also enjoyed crayfish fishing, which helps remove invasive species, and observed the surrounding nature, learning about the region’s rich ecosystem.

Located only 30 minutes by train from our Akishima headquarters, the area’s abundant natural environment was a pleasant surprise. The experience underscored the importance of conservation activities to protect and pass on these resources to future generations.

Employees and their families, who do not often interact, worked together in nature, enjoyed physical activity, and refreshed both their bodies and minds. The event also provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the connection between people and the natural environment.

Rigaku will continue to engage in environmental conservation activities as a group and deepen our understanding of the importance of protecting the natural environment.

Participation in JAIMA Summer Science School (2025)

On July 23, 2025, the “JAIMA Summer Science School 2025” took place at The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), held by the Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturers’ Association (JAIMA). This annual event, launched in 2012, aims to help middle and high school students better understand and raise their interest in science and technology through hands-on experiences with actual analytical instruments.

Following last year, Rigaku participated in this event as a cooperating company this year. We provided students with experiential training on real analytical instruments. At this event, there were also multiple booths by other companies. Students divided into small groups of three to four attended one-hour training at three different booths, enabling them to experience three different types of analytical instruments.

At Rigaku’s booth, students analyzed the crystal structures of familiar substances such as sugar and salt using the single-crystal X-ray diffractometer XtaLAB mini II™. During a later “free time” session, we also remotely demonstrated the XtaLAB Synergy-ED integrated electron diffractometer from our headquarters, in addition to XtaLAB mini II™. This system utilizes electron diffraction technology, allowing for the analysis of crystals that are too small for X-ray diffraction measurements.

In the general visitor experience corner, we provided a workshop on our portable Raman spectrometer and X-ray fluorescence analyzer. A wide range of participants—from elementary school students to adults—visited the booth and experienced real-world analytical technology.

Participants shared feedback with the organizer (JAIMA), saying, “It was an incredibly exciting experience,” “It opened a whole new world for me,” and “I definitely want to come again next year.” Rigaku is delighted to have contributed to such a valuable learning opportunity.

International Exchange Through a Factory Tour

Rigaku is committed to developing future scientists and engineers through collaboration with educational institutions. On February 26, 2025, at the request of the Faculty of Advanced Engineering at Kogakuin University, we hosted a factory tour at our headquarters and Tokyo factory (Akishima, Tokyo) for students from Kogakuin University and the University of Barishal in Bangladesh.

Kogakuin University invited students from the University of Barishal as part of the Sakura Science Exchange Program, an initiative by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). This program aims to bring outstanding young talent from around the world to Japan for short-term visits, providing opportunities to experience the country’s cutting-edge science, technology, and culture. Under the theme “Academic Exchange among Universities and Japanese Companies regarding Advanced Research Environments,” Kogakuin University offers students hands-on experiences with state-of-the-art technology and research facilities. Rigaku supports this initiative and contributes by organizing this factory tour.

The visiting students specialize in material properties and biochemistry within the physics department. The tour began with an introductory session on X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, X-ray imaging, and thermal analysis, which provided the students with fundamental knowledge of each analytical technique. They then moved to the laboratory, where they observed real-time analyses, deepening their understanding of how the instruments operate and how data is generated. The tour also included an overview of the manufacturing process and a tour of the manufacturing facility, allowing students to learn how these instruments are produced.

The tour was conducted entirely in English without interpreters, allowing students to ask questions directly and receive explanations from Rigaku specialists. They actively participated, asking insightful questions and discussing how their research connects to real-world instruments and manufacturing.

Rigaku remains dedicated to advancing science and technology while nurturing the next generation of researchers and engineers. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with educational institutions and support young talent through initiatives like this.

Sponsorship of the Protein Society Awards

The Protein Society is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support state-of-the-art science through international forums that promote communication, cooperation, and collaboration among protein researchers worldwide. The Protein Society annually hosts a symposium to award researchers who have made significant achievements in protein research and contributed to leadership, teaching, and service.

Since 2007, Rigaku has sponsored the 'Carl Brändén Award,' which honors Carl-Ivar Brändén for his pioneering work in protein structural biology. In 2024, we also began sponsoring the newly established 'Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award,' named after the Nobel laureate recognized for her groundbreaking X-ray crystallographic analysis of biological molecules.

Raluca Cadar, CEO of the Protein Society, stated, “The Protein Society is privileged to recognize outstanding research in the field of protein science, and we are beyond grateful to Rigaku, for sponsoring both the Carl Brändén Award and as of 2024, the Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award, which is granted in recognition of exceptional contributions in protein science which profoundly influence our understanding of biology.”

Rigaku will continue to contribute to the scientific advancement in protein research by supporting initiatives that recognize the exceptional achievements of scientists.

Workplace Experience

Workplace experience is a program recommended by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology as a part of the career education curriculum in Japanese secondary schools. It helps students learn the reality of a job and work through the experience.

Rigaku accepted two students for a three-day workplace experience program at our Tokyo factory (located in Akishima City, Tokyo) in October 2023. They experienced different jobs each day. On the first day, they experienced "analysis work" in the laboratory using real analytical instruments. This included observing how drawings made with erasable pens disappeared when heated and analyzing the fluffiness of rice balls.
The second day took them to the software development department, where they engaged in a hands-on "programming experience." They programmed the movements of a robotic arm to deliver samples automatically.
Finally, on the third day, they joined the procurement department for "incoming goods handling ". They were assigned tasks such as receiving, sorting, and scanning deliveries using a barcode reader.
All these tasks were new experiences for them, and it was impressive how well they focused on each activity throughout the program.

At Rigaku, we provide students opportunities to explore the meaning of work and contemplate their future career paths through workplace experiences. Furthermore, we aim to address the lack of interest in science among kids and to inform the local community about Rigaku's activities and business. We have also hosted factory visits for local elementary schools and are committed to continuing our community-focused efforts.

Sponsorship of Japan Philharmonic Orchestra

The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1965, contributes to a better society through the power of music. The orchestra creates music with a warm heart and deep empathy for people and combines artistic excellence with a strong commitment to social engagement.

Each year, the orchestra performs over 150 high-quality concerts. They also create opportunities for people of all ages—from children to adults—to experience music by delivering more than 200 outreach concerts annually at schools, nursing facilities, and other venues. Additionally, they perform the "Summer Vacation Concert," which brings together three generations of family to enjoy music and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024.

In April 2011, following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the orchestra launched the Music for Tohoku initiative to provide ongoing support to affected communities. To date, they have delivered over 340 performances as part of this program.

Rigaku deeply sympathizes with the orchestra’s dedication to social contribution and has supported its efforts for many years. Believing in the healing and enriching power of music, we will continue sponsoring the orchestra as part of our societal contribution. Looking ahead, we will work to strengthen our support for the development of future generations and our ties with local communities.