Summary of Research Center Project*Briefly describe the general plan of your project (Compile in English within 2 pages.)

Center name:International Research Center for Neurointelligence

Host institution:

The University of Tokyo

Head of host institution:
Prospective Center director:

Makoto Gonokami, President
Takao Kurt Hensch
Professor of Molecular Cellular Biology at Harvard University
Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School
Prospective Administrative director:
Tetsushi Kagawa
Project Professor of Research Enhancement Strategy
Office at National Institute for Physiological Sciences
1) Overall Image of Your Center
The International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN) seeks an advanced understanding of
human intelligence (HI) through the elucidation of basic principles underlying neural circuit development
and the pathology of psychiatric disorders caused by anomalies in this process. In turn, we aim to promotea next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) based on these principles of neural circuit maturation andfunction in the brain. To this end, IRCN will establish “Neurointelligence” as a new discipline by merging
research areas in life science, medicine, mathematics/information science and linguistics.
2) Research Activities<Importance of the subjects>
HI represents the most complex higher-order functions based on the operation of neural circuits in thebrain. These emerge through multiple molecular/cellular processes in fetal and postnatal life, reflecting
both innate genetic programs and individual experience. Neural circuits in the visual areas of the cerebral
cortex have provided a rich model for the hierarchical neural networks used in deep learning instrumental
for the recent development of AI. Nevertheless, the vast majority of information processing principles in
actual neural circuits have yet to be clarified and are crucially needed to establish next-generation AI.
Anomalies in neural circuit development are generally accepted as the root of human cognitive disorders,
including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. IRCN therefore sets the following as its
research goals: systematically combining basic research on neural circuit development, pathologicalstudies on psychiatric disorders, and innovative AI research; elucidating principles for the formation offlexible and synergistic neural circuit representations that engender HI; promoting next-generation AI
based on these principles; and overcoming mental illness due to anomalies of neural circuit development.
<Research organization>
IRCN will be composed of four core research units lead by fifteen world-class principal investigators(PIs). In the Development Study Unit eight PIs, including the center director Takao Hensch, will focus on
selected model systems to pursue the fundamental principles of neural circuit development: Yukiko Gotoh
studies regulation of neural stem cell fate; Masanobu Kano, synapse elimination in postnatal development;
Kazuo Emoto, elimination and remodeling of dendrites; Rachel Wong, neural circuit formation in the retina;

The University of Tokyo - 1
International Research Center for Neurointelligence

Takao Hensch and Kenichi Ohki, neural circuit development in the cerebral cortex; Haruo Kasai,
reinforcement learning for association between sensory-motor and emotion signals; and Kuniyoshi Sakai,mechanisms in human language information processing. In the Technology Development Unit, Yasushi
Okada, Haruo Kasai, Arthur Konnerth, and Shoji Takeuchi will advance state-of-the-art neural circuit
analysis technology. In the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit, Kiyoto Kasai will use humanstructural and functional MRI to elucidate ASD and schizophrenia pathology, while Takao Hensch will
pursue novel, circuit-based etiological insights and treatments for these cognitive disorders using
preclinical models. In the Mathematical Information Systems Unit, Hiroki Ueda will investigate theregulation and principles hidden beneath complicated biological phenomena, using both mathematicalanalyses and his original brain clarification technique; Kazuyuki Aihara and Masashi Sugiyama will createnext-generation AI technology based on the newly elucidated principles of neural circuit development in
the brain.
IRCN also incorporates satellite units at Harvard University and the Max-Planck Florida Institute for
Neuroscience. Importantly, IRCN includes large clinical centers in Tokyo and Boston for active translational
research, which cannot be achieved by other brain science institutes without clinical branches.
3) Interdisciplinary ResearchInterdisciplinary cooperation is a prerequisite for understanding highly complex brain functions andelucidating pathology of disorders due to their dysfunction from a neurodevelopmental perspective. There
are few interdisciplinary research centers designed to promote collaboration between globally-renowned
basic neuroscientists, physicians, and AI researchers with a long-term goal of understanding HI and
creating next-generation AI principles. Thus, IRCN would become a world-leading research center withunique scientific mission and profound social impact.
4) International Research Environment
IRCN will support foreign scientists to adapt to the grant system in Japan (including grant writing andmanagement of accepted grants), alongside reduced hurdles associated with daily life, by a multi- lingual
secretariat. Center Director Hensch has a long track record of creating mechanisms to welcome foreign
staff to Japan, as well as building a pipeline for students from abroad. IRCN will sponsor large-scaleinternational symposia every year, and support smaller-scale meetings and workshops to promoteexchange of researchers among the core IRCN units, its satellites and other institutes.
5) Center Management
The center Director is given all authority regarding organization and management of the center. Hisroles include: setting the mission and goals of IRCN, effective organization of researchers, administrativedecisions, and recruiting scientists. The Administrative Director (AD) cooperates with the Director andprovides administrative services necessary for the execution of IRCN activities. Two Deputy Directors
support the Director for smooth operation and swift decision making, and all PIs are responsible forapproving the Director’s decisions and their execution.

The University of Tokyo - 2
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceResearch Center ProjectCenter name:Host institution:
Head of host institution:
Prospective center director:
Appendix 1
Appendix 2International Research Center for Neurointelligence
The University of Tokyo
Makoto Gonokami, President
Takao Kurt Hensch
Professor of Molecular Cellular Biology at Harvard University
Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School

For the prospective center director, fill in the “biographical sketch of prospective center director.”
Provide a reference (recommendation) for the prospective center director (free format not subject to the 3-page
limitation).

Prospective administrative director: Tetsushi Kagawa
Appendix 3

Project Professor of Research Enhancement Strategy
Office at National Institute for Physiological Sciences

For the prospective administrative director, fill in the “biographical sketch of the prospective administrative director.”

1) Overall Image of Your Center* Concisely describe your institute’s identity and provide its mission statement as a WPI center.

Elucidating brain functions is indispensable for understanding human intelligence (HI). This is a highly
complicated and difficult endeavor, but one of the biggest scientific frontiers on par with the origin of
the universe. The International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN) aims to elucidate the late
fetal and postnatal developmental period in which neurons are differentiated, neural circuits are formed,
and shaped by the environment to develop mature brain function. This process follows the principles
that the organism has acquired over its long history of evolution, and forms the basis for various highorder functions of the human brain. IRCN to be led by Takao Hensch (Harvard University), a leading
researcher of neural circuit development, will tackle the following three issues. First, it will advanceunderstanding of HI by elucidating basic principles of neural circuit development. Second, it will pursue
the pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders caused by impairments in the maturation process. Third, it
will promote innovation and learning paradigms for next-generation artificial intelligence (AI), based on
the newly found developmental principles and multimodal neuronal functions, spanning sensory, motorand emotional systems and enabling human communication unlike currently available AI. To this end,
IRCN will establish “Neurointelligence” as a new discipline merging diverse areas such as life
science/medicine and mathematics/information science/linguistics.
The background for the proposed IRCN is threefold. First, recent insights into molecular and cellular
diversity of the nervous system and advanced technology for neural circuit analysis offer unprecedented
tools to elucidate principles governing the development and operation of multimodal information
processing in the brain underlying HI. Second, common cognitive disorders, including autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia, are increasingly linked to a number of related genes mostly
associated with molecules functioning at synapses, supporting neural circuit dysfunction as their
etiological origin. Accordingly, potential elucidation of the biological bases for neuropsychiatric disorders
toward an objective diagnosis and treatment has become more and more realistic. Third, expectations
for and concerns about next-generation AI have been exacerbated as several unimodal functions are
already demonstrably better performed by AI.
The University of Tokyo - 1
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceAgainst this backdrop, IRCN was conceived to elucidate mechanisms of neural circuit development,
to clarify pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders by research into ASD and schizophrenia in humanpatients as well as animal models, and to pioneer new AI systems utilizing the same principles as thatseen in development and operation of neural circuits in the living brain. The University of Tokyo (UTokyo)
is home to many leading neuroscientists, a clinical psychiatry group of the largest scale in Japan basedin the University of Tokyo Hospital, and world-class researchers in the fields of mathematics andinformation science. From them, twelve researchers were chosen as PIs of IRCN to be led by Takao
Hensch who has been a leading player in the study of neural circuit development. Arthur Konnerth and
Rachel Wong, specialists of similar stature in innovative technologies for large-scale neural circuit
analysis and the investigation of neural circuit development, respectively, will also participate as PIs.
Furthermore, IRCN will host satellite units both at Harvard University and Max-Planck Florida Institutefor Neuroscience, aiming to be one of the world’s highest level research organizations. Together, ourmission is to clarify principles governing the development and function of integrated multi- modal brain
circuits

thatrealize HI, which
in

turn

will

promotenext-

generationAI

systems based ontheseprinciples

and contribute toovercoming
mentaldisordersreflectingadysfunctionofsuch neural circuit
development.
2) Research
Activities
2) -1 Research field* Write in the target research field(s)* Describe the importance of the target research field(s), including the domestic and international R&D trends in the field(s) andscientific and/or social significance.
* Describe the value of carrying out research in the field(s) as a WPI center (e.g., Japan’s advantages, global impact on science and/or
society, future prospects)* If there are other centers either in Japan or overseas advancing research in fields similar to the center’s field(s), please list them. (upto 5 organizations)* Provide a list of 10 English-written papers that are closely related to the center’s project and enclose the PDF files of those papers.
Label this bundle of documents “Appendix 8.”

Target research fields
The target research fields of IRCN are brain sciences, especially developmental neuroscience, neural
The University of Tokyo - 2
International Research Center for Neurointelligenceinformation processing, neuronal plasticity, brain imaging, neural networks and psychiatric disorders.
Importance of the research fields and value of carrying out research as a WPI center
Human intelligence (HI) reflects the dynamics of neural circuits in the brain. To achieve such a complex
function, an adequately balanced number of neurons needs to be produced and optimally arranged
during the fetal period, then their neurites must form proper synaptic connections with appropriate
targets, and ultimately be modified to fit the environment in the postnatal developmental period,
producing mature functional neural circuits. While AI has recently achieved sensational success, mostly
in the field of deep learning, typically based on the multi-layered neural networks observed in the visualcortex. However, AI is still far from achieving multimodal integration fundamental to HI. Further studiesof neural circuit development and principles of learning rules are thus expected to contribute towardinnovative next-generation AI.
Meanwhile, the increasing social burden of psychiatric disorders, including ASD and schizophrenia,
have become a serious world-wide problem, particularly in Japan which is rapidly becoming a superaging society with reduced birthrate ahead of other countries. Pathological studies and treatments ofsuch disorders are thus urgently needed. Improper or excessive circuit connectivity in childhood andadolescence is generally accepted as a substrate for cognitive disorders whose underlying genes areoften identified at synapses. Advances in medical imaging techniques now permit the visualization of
disturbances in patients with psychiatric disorders, offering unprecedented opportunities for IRCN as abridge for translation from bench-to-bedside. By gathering neuroscientists, statisticians and psychiatrists,
synergistic research into neural circuit development and dysfunction can foster novel AI. In a superaging society with reduced birthrates, AI based on deeper knowledge of HI will help human activities
and substitute the shrinkage of the working population. Pursuing Neurointelligence as a new disciplineby IRCN carries great breakthrough potential not only as a field of scientific inquiry but also for its social
impact.
Other centers advancing research in fields similar to the center’s field(s)HHMI Janelia Research Campus (USA) / Allen Institute (USA) / Picower Institute for learning andmemory (USA) / Max Planck Institutes (Germany, USA) / RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Japan)
While a number of research institutes for Neuroscience or Brain Science have been established including
those above, none feature a close interaction between world-class researchers in basic neuroscience,
psychiatry and computational/information/AI science. Importantly, IRCN includes large clinical centersin Tokyo and Boston (i.e., the University of Tokyo Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, see below)
for active translational research, which cannot be achieved by other neuroscience/brain science
institutes without clinical branches. In this context, IRCN is a unique avenue to facilitate collaborative
study across three disciplines to elucidate fundamental principles of neural circuit development andfunction as a basis for HI, to advance the understanding of psychiatric disorders as an impairment of
HI, and to create next-generation AI based on these principles of development and brain function –The University of Tokyo - 3
International Research Center for Neurointelligenceeventually establishing neurointelligence as a new discipline integrating HI and AI.
2)-2 Research objectives* Describe in a clear and easy-to-understand manner the research objectives that the project seeks to achieve by the end of its grant
period (in 10 years). In describing these objectives, the following points should be articulated in an easily understandable manner:
The kind of research area(s) you plan to cultivate by, for example, fusing various fields. In that process, what world-level scientificand/or technological issues are you seeking to solve? What will the expected impact of the scientific advances you aim to achieve beon society in the future?
* Describe concretely your research plan to achieve these objectives and any past achievements related to your proposal.

Research objectives
IRCN sets the following research goals: systematically combining basic exploration of neural circuit
development, pathological studies of psychiatric disorders, and next-generation AI research; elucidating
the formative principles of flexible neural circuits that engenders HI by utilizing the synergy of thoseinsights; promoting development of next-generation AI based on these principles; and overcoming
psychiatric disorders by correcting neural circuit maldevelopment.
Research plan
Laboratories in IRCN aim to (1) elucidate fundamental principles and learning rules underlying neuralcircuit development, (2) advance the understanding of pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders caused
by impaired HI, and (3) contribute to the development of next-generation AI based on the principles ofdevelopment and function of multimodal neuronal connections in the brain.
(1) Elucidation of fundamental principles and learning rules underlying neural circuit
development
For proper brain function, an adequately balanced number of excitatory and inhibitory neurons should
be produced; they must be arranged in appropriate locations in the brain; individual neurons should beconnected to appropriate counterparts with an appropriate number of synapses; and neural circuits
should be properly wired. Yukiko Gotoh investigates the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms how neuralstem cells generate a variety of different cell types including neurons and glia in the brain. Kenichi Ohki
investigates the mechanisms by which early neural circuits are formed depending on the ontogeny ofneurons. Appropriate formation of neural circuits early in development is prerequisite for learning suchthat the brain adapts quickly and properly to the external environment and, therefore, constitutes abasis for higher brain functions. When designing AI, it is important to choose the initial conditions prior
to learning. If initial conditions are chosen optimally, it may also allow AI to learn quickly without
requiring big data, currently a big hurdle. Elucidation of the genetic program of neuronal development,
which is optimized through evolution, can therefore contribute to the creation of next-generation AI.
Moreover, the study of early circuit formation contributes to the understanding of neurodevelopmental
disorders, since abnormalities in genetic programs of brain development lead to brain disorders such as
cortical malformations and ASDs.

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International Research Center for NeurointelligenceNext, neural circuits formed earlier in fetal development are modified to adapt to the external
environment and then functionally mature into adulthood. This process consists of three stages of neuralcircuit remodeling based on A)
spontaneous neural activity, B)
activity evoked by the external
environment, and C) convergent
external cues and instructive
signals for learning and memory
throughout life.
A)

Spontaneous,internal

activity-dependent

remodelingofneuralcircuits

includesformation of immature contacts
followed by strengthening of alimited subset of early-formed
synapses and the massive elimination of redundant ones, a process known as “synaptic pruning” or“synapse elimination”. Masanobu Kano pursues the principles and cellular mechanisms of synapse
elimination in the developing cerebellum. To enact changes in connectivity, certain neurons modify theshape of their axonal and dendritic arbors in response to various stimuli. Kazuo Emoto studies molecularand cellular mechanisms underlying neurite remodeling in sensory circuits of mice and fruit flies, bothof which are representative models of developmental circuit plasticity. Rachel Wong elucidates principles
and mechanisms of synapse assembly in the vertebrate retina in multiple models such as mice andzebrafish. She develops novel live cell imaging approaches to track structural changes in neurons
throughout their development, during neuronal degeneration and upon regeneration of circuits indisease models.
B)

Following event A), neural circuits undergo a crucial remodeling to optimize their structure andoperation to fit the external environment. For example, when input from one eye is deprived during alimited period in postnatal development, known as the “critical period”, the structure and function ofneural circuits are reshaped so that input from the deprived eye can no longer excite neurons in thevisual cortex. Response preferences of visual cortical neurons to the orientation of objects are also
sculpted during a similar critical period depending on the distribution of oriented objects viewed. Takao
Hensch discovered that the maturation of inhibitory circuits in the visual cortex is a key determinant of
the critical period. A number of molecules involved in the maturation of these GABAergic circuits could
accelerate or delay the window of brain plasticity. Moreover, he identified factors which actively
suppress rewiring, such that their removal would reopen plasticity in adulthood. These principles of“triggers” and “brakes” on plasticity have been found to apply broadly across brain regions, including
auditory, insular and prefrontal cortex. Such regions support higher order brain functions beyond vision,
including phoneme discrimination, multisensory integration and preference behaviors or attention.
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International Research Center for NeurointelligenceKenichi Ohki elucidates learning rules underlying adaptation of visual cortical neurons to the orientationof objects in the external world. This process does not depend on instructive signals and is considered
to be a learning process of the statistical distribution of object orientations in the external environment.
However, precise learning rules remain unknown and identification of principles of this type of learning
is expected to contribute significantly to novel forms of unsupervised learning in AI.
C)

Higher brain functions, which constitute important elements for HI beyond development, areultimately acquired by learning and memory dependent upon the external environment and instructive
signals. Kenichi Ohki studies visual object recognition in mice and marmosets. What signals areconveyed in feedforward and feedback pathways between lower and higher visual areas during learningof visual objects may substitute for error backpropagation used in supervised learning in AI currently
and will contribute to new algorithms for AI. Kuniyoshi Sakai examines the language system in the brain,
which is fundamental to human communication, and a basis for intelligence and creativity. He pursues
how language is acquired over development by neural circuits through close and dynamic interaction
with the external environment. Finally, Haruo Kasai investigates the causal relationship between
synaptic structural plasticity and various forms of learning and memory, which are the major lifelong
mechanisms of HI. He also studies how reinforcement learning is embedded in synapses for the
association of sensorimotor and emotion signals. In the actual brain, reward signal is obtained fromsensorimotor signals, and converted into emotion signals encoded by monoamines (e.g. dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin) which innervate the brain globally. He will study how monoamines encode distinct
aspects of emotion other than reward (e.g. motivation, punishment, saliency, novelty, arousal, etc.),
and act on discrete subsets of neurons, in a vectorial manner rather than as scalar reward signal.
Laboratories within the Technology Development Unit collaborate closely with and assist the
aforementioned eight laboratories of the Development Study Core Unit. Yasushi Okada tackles
development and improvement of imaging technologies, which include a microscope of high spatial andtemporal resolution and optical bioprobes based on fluorescent organic dyes, fluorescent proteins
and/or (bio)luminescent proteins. Haruo Kasai invented a sophisticated method to selectively label
synapses that are active during memory acquisition, and then to eliminate the labelled synapses by blue
light. Using this technique, he demonstrated that structural plasticity of synapses actually underlies
motor memory. He will further improve this technique. Arthur Konnerth is a pioneer who realized invivo imaging of calcium signals from multiple neurons using 2-photon microscopy. He continues toimprove the time and spatial resolution of this technique. Shoji Takeuchi has made pioneering andoutstanding contributions to development of novel microfabrication technologies. In IRCN, he willdevelop a flexible electrode array which will allow persistent stable recordings over weeks and months
from multiple neurons in vivo. The innovative techniques described above will facilitate the studies of
Gotoh, Emoto, Kano, Wang, Ohki, Hensch, Kiyoto Kasai (below), Haruo Kasai, and Konnerth.
(2) Advancing the understanding of pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders caused by
impaired HI
The University of Tokyo - 6
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceIn the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit, Kiyoto Kasai and Takao Hensch aim to elucidate
pathophysiology of cognitive disorders caused by an impairment of HI. Kasai’s laboratory possesses alarge-scale MRI database of psychiatric disorders based on collaborations among multiple universities
and hospitals across Japan. Utilizing this database, he has succeeded in demonstrating abnormal brain
functional connectivity in ASD, and structural abnormalities of subcortical nuclei in schizophrenia. In
IRCN,

Kasai

will

combinemulti-modal

neuroimaging

techniques

with

MRI,

includingelectroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS),
and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to precisely identify circuit abnormalities in psychiatricdisorders. He will then localize the identified circuits onto homologous circuits in non-human primatesand rodent models of psychiatric disorders. Through innovative circuit manipulation methods, he will
clarify the relationship between neural circuit dysfunction and behavioral abnormalities. Finally, he will
use machine learning and AI techniques to develop objective biomarkers for the diagnosis of psychiatricdisorders and a new treatment strategy, called neurofeedback, which is expected to normalize abnormal
circuit activities by brain-machine interface (BMI) techniques.
Takao Hensch will pursue novel, circuit-based etiological insights using preclinical models of autism
and schizophrenia risk. Based on insights from critical period studies (above), he will correct derailed
developmental trajectories or reopen brain plasticity later in life to restore aberrant circuit function.
Treating the circuit abnormality rather than heterogeneous gene defects based on principles of critical
period plasticity is innovative and more readily translatable to clinical trials, as he has started to do at
Boston Children’s Hospital (see below).
(3) Development of next-generation AI based on new principles of development andoperation of neural circuits in the brain
Laboratories in the Mathematical Information Systems Unit will tackle the development of nextgeneration AI based on the newly identified principles of development and operation of neural circuitsin the actual brain in the following three projects:
A) Development and mathematical analysis of novel AI technology based on neural mechanisms in thebrain
Deep learning, the mainstream of present AI research, is based on simple multi-layered feedforward
neural networks of oversimplified artificial neurons. The cerebral cortex, however, has a complex sixlayered structure composed of various types of neurons connected through many synapses including
recurrent connectivity and projections from limbic systems carrying emotion signals, as well as moreglobal hierarchical structure with bottom-up and top-down pathways across different cortical areas.
IRCN’s research aims at developing novel AI technology based on neural mechanisms in the actual
brain and defining its mathematical properties. First, humans learn very quickly without requiring big
data, unlike the current deep learning technology. As described in section (1), we hypothesize that it isbecause neural circuits in the human brain are optimized through multiple developmental processes,
The University of Tokyo - 7
International Research Center for Neurointelligencesuch as genetic programming, spontaneous activity-dependent remodeling, and experience-dependent
remodeling with the help of emotion systems. By incorporating such principles, Masashi Sugiyama will
construct a novel machine learning framework. Second, GABAergic neurons are not commonly used in
the field of deep learning, but they play pivotal roles in the human brain. As described by Hensch, they
control the critical period and play roles in information processing, such as surround suppression.
Masashi Sugiyama and Kazuyuki Aihara will incorporate GABAergic neurons in network structure andexamine how they change the behavior of neural networks. Finally, by incorporating learning rules in
feedforward and feedback pathways between lower and higher areas, Masashi Sugiyama will implement
novel learning rules to recognize complex time-series data and infer causal relations that current deeplearning technology cannot achieve.
B) Computational and mathematical analyses of big neuroinformatics data covering an entire brain andof activities from a large number of neurons
Hiroki Ueda has developed a new experimental method to obtain neural circuit data covering an entire
brain and associated neuroinformatics methods to identify multimodality from whole-brain circuit dataof individuals. He also creates computational and mathematical methodologies to analyze big neuroinformatics data such as neural circuit data covering an entire brain and neural activity data observed
simultaneously from a large number of neurons in the same brain. These include nonlinear data analysis
method for spatio-temporal point processes of neuronal spikes generated from many neurons, andintegrative and quantitative analysis of real experimental data.
C) Mathematical modeling of psychiatric disorders applied to understanding their pathophysiology
This theoretical research considers mental illnesses as disorders or collapses of normal mechanisms forneural network development and function in the brain. By modifying neural network models with normal
functions, Kazuyuki Aihara constructs mathematical models of mental illnesses to understand theirpathological dynamics and explore possible circuit-based therapies from a theoretical viewpoint. Morespecifically, based on the work of Hensch, he will explore how mistiming of excitatory-inhibitory balance
results in ASD, while a failure to close critical period plasticity properly might result in psychosis. By
analyzing nonlinear spatio-temporal dynamics of neural network models, we explore possibility thatmistiming or failure of developmental transitions in such nonlinear dynamics results in abnormal circuit
operation.
2)-3 Project management* Describe the center’s research organization (including its research, support and administrative components) and your concept forbuilding and staffing the organization.
* Describe your concrete plan for achieving the center’s final staffing goal, including steps and timetables.
* If the center will form linkage with other institutions, domestic and/or foreign, by establishing satellite functions, provide the name(s)of the partner institution(s), and describe their roles, personnel composition and structure, and collaborative framework with thecenter project (e.g., contracts to be concluded, schemes for resource transfer).
* If the center will form linkage with other institutions, domestic and/or foreign, without establishing satellite functions, provide thenames of the partner institutions and describe their roles and linkages within the center project.
* List in Appendix 4 the principal investigators who are expected to join the center. If it there are any changes from the list you submitted
for the first screening, please state the changes and give your reasons for them.
* Provide a biographical sketch for each principal investigator using Appendix 5.
* List in the Appendix 6 the personnel making up center, including researchers and other center staffs, satellites, partner institutions.

The University of Tokyo - 8
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceUse Excel format when preparing the list.
* Regarding the researchers invited from abroad or from other Japanese institutions, attach a letter from each of them indicating theirintent to join the center project (free format). Label this bundle of documents “Appendix 7.”

Center’s research organization
To achieve the goals stated above, fifteen world-class principal investigators (PIs) are recruited fromwithin UTokyo and from research institutes overseas to organize the four research units: Development
Study Core Unit, Technology Development Unit, Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit and theMathematical Information Systems Unit. If awarded, our center would realize studies with a new
dimension produced by their deep synergy, as it will naturally boost existing individual interactions, due
to substantial overlap in research interests, as described below.
 Development Study Core Unit: Eight PIs use their individual model systems to pursue thefundamental principles of neural circuit development as well as the neural basis of language, a
representative function of HI: Yukiko Gotoh studies regulation of neural stem cell fate; Masanobu Kano,
synapse elimination in postnatal development; Kazuo Emoto, elimination and remodeling of dendrites;
Rachel Wong, neural circuit formation in the retina; Takao Hensch and Kenichi Ohki, neural circuit
development in the cerebral cortex; Haruo Kasai, reinforcement learning for multimodal association;
and Kuniyoshi Sakai, cerebral mechanisms of human language information processing.
 Technology Development Unit: Yasushi Okada, Haruo Kasai, Arthur Konnerth, and Shoji Takeuchi
develop the most advanced neural circuit analysis technologies for probing neural circuit development
in cooperation with the Development Study Core Unit. Okada is responsible for establishing andimproving imaging technologies including high spatio-temporal resolution microscopy and probes; Kasai
for single synapse manipulation technology and enabling measurement of synapse fluctuations;
Konnerth and Takeuchi for the simultaneous measurement of the activity of a number of living neurons
in the brain of animals.
 Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit: Kiyoto Kasai aims to elucidate the pathology of
ASD and schizophrenia in living humans by structural and functional imaging analyses using MRI. Takao
Hensch pursues potential circuit-based treatments for cognitive disorders using model animals of ASD
and schizophrenia development and critical period timing manipulation in the mature brain.
 Mathematical Information Systems Unit: Hiroki Ueda investigates the regulation and principles
hidden beneath complicated biological phenomena using mathematical analysis, and also attempts thecomprehensive description and analysis of neural circuits in part or whole brain, using his original brain
clarification technique; Kazuyuki Aihara and Masashi Sugiyama seek to create next-generation AI
technology based on the regulation of neural circuit development etc. in the actual brain. In addition,
Aihara aims at understanding brain pathology by modeling psychiatric disorders according to theregulation of neural circuit development etc.
We expect that interdisciplinary cooperation and the resulting synergy of research units will beeffective 1) in revealing principles of neural circuit development and learning rules which enable flexible
ways of thinking, a core characteristic of HI, 2) in promoting understanding of dysfunctional conditions
due to disturbance of neural circuits, and 3) in paving the way to innovative next-generation AI systems
based on these principles of neural circuits in the brain.
The University of Tokyo - 9
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceIn order to promote collaborative research amongst research units, we will set up advanced
equipment rooms and core laboratories, and will facilitate fee-for-service usage of large-scale advanced
equipment by skilled operators and analysis staff. In addition, we will secure collaboration space
adjacent to these rooms. In order to coordinate close cooperation between these research units andoverseas satellites, we will establish an administration office based on the know-how of an existing WPI
institute, Kavli IPMU, and support center management.

Several PIs have laboratories outside the Hongo Campus. Each of these PIs will host their own
research labs within the IRCN, which will include academic staff and researchers based at UTokyo. This
will enable the research in these groups to progress smoothly even when the PI is not in Tokyo. Guidanceof staff will be provided by these PIs on their regular visits to the IRCN and through day-to-day online
communication with the help of data-sharing tools and web-conferencing software. In addition, the PIs
will actively catalyze collaborations with other groups within the IRCN, which will contribute to thesuccess of the center. As the IRCN becomes fully established, we expect that research carried out by
each PI will have a greater impact on the center as a whole, and that this will automatically result inincreased effort ratios.
Plan for achieving the center’s final staffing goal
We will define the startup period from FY 2017 to FY 2019 to establish management organization andresearch units, filling laboratories with researchers. Immediately after award decision in October, we
would follow university procedures to set up IRCN under the UTokyo Institutes for Advanced Study
The University of Tokyo - 10
International Research Center for Neurointelligence

(UTIAS). We will quickly establish an administrative office with reference to the existing WPI institute,
Kavli IPMU, so as to be immediately responsive to the Director’s decisions. We will secure space planned
for installation within the university and proceed with procedures to build it out. We will start hiring
young researchers and postdoctoral fellows as the core of each research unit and attain approximate
desired staffing within 2019. Shared use facilities, the Life Science Research Equipment Support Roomand Imaging Center, equipped with advanced imaging equipment will be set up. Negotiations withforeign organizations scheduled to become satellites will begin in FY 2017 and formally established by
written agreement during FY 2018.
Stable operation is slated for FY2020 and beyond. We will continue new recruitment of researchers,
and organize international conferences to increase visibility of IRCN. Joint research and personnel
exchanges with satellites will be actively run. We will also continue to improve the equipment in the Life
Science Research Equipment Support Room and Imaging Center. Finally, to improve the environment
for constant interaction, discovery and natural idea sharing, we will consider the location and relocation
plan for constructing a new research building where all members can come together.
Role of satellites: In addition to units at UTokyo, IRCN has satellite units in Harvard University andthe Max-Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. The Harvard satellite unit will include resources of
Boston Children's Hospital, and aims to understand pathologies of psychiatric disorders and to develop
treatments, mainly collaborating with the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit. In addition to
Takao Hensch, Michela Fagiolini heads the mouse Neurodevelopmental Behavioral Core facility where
she performs preclinical analysis of Mecp2-deficient models of Rett syndrome, and Charles Nelson
performs behavior analysis, electrophysiology, and functional imaging of ASD in children. The second
satellite unit at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience aims to understand basic principles ofneural circuit development, mainly collaborating with the Development Study Core Unit. Ryohei Yasuda
studies the mechanism of synapse plasticity and David Fitzpatrick studies neural circuit development in
the cortex. The satellites will hold mutual joint retreats every year to promote exchange among
researchers.
Linkage with other institutions without establishing satellite functions: Sugiyama in the
Mathematical Information Systems Unit is a professor of the Graduate School of Frontier Science andalso the director of RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP Center). This facilitatescollaboration with both the UTokyo AI Center and RIKEN AIP Center. We also seek strategic collaboration
with RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI) and RIKEN Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC) in future. In
addition, we seek possible cooperation with the “Tsukuba-Kashiwa-Hongo Innovation Corridor” that
UTokyo is now developing as a site on the Kashiwa campus for collaborative research on multiple topics(innovative materials, AI, analytical and measurement technologies) with a variety of counterparts(National Research and Development Agencies, including the National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology (AIST) and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), National Cancer
The University of Tokyo - 11
International Research Center for Neurointelligence

Center Japan, and businesses including ventures originated in the University).
a) Principal investigators (full professors, associate professors or other researchers ofcomparable standing)* Paste on table a) of Appendix 6b) Total members* Paste on table b) of Appendix 62)-4 Securing research funding
The University of Tokyo - 12
International Research Center for NeurointelligencePast record* Give the total amount of research funding (e.g., competitive funding) secured by the principal investigators who will join the center
project. Itemize by fiscal year (FY2012-2016).

FY

2012

2013

2014

2015

Secured funding (JPY)

1,910,515,785

2,530,767,010

1,944,229,204

2,069,391,913

2016

Total

3,348,099,264 11,803,003,176

Prospects after establishment of the center* Based on the past record, describe the concrete prospects for securing resources that match or exceed the WPI project grant.
* Calculate the total amount of research funding (e.g. competitive funding) based on the percentage of time that the researchers will
devote to research activities at the center vis-à-vis the total time they spend on research activities (“Effort” in Appendix 5). Be surethat the prospects (FY2017-2021) are realistically based on the past record.

All the prospective Japanese PIs hold competitive grants from Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research,
AMED, or JST. Examples include Specially Promoted Research (Kano), Scientific Research on innovative
Areas (Emoto, K. Kasai), Scientific Research (S) (Gotoh, H. Kasai, Ueda, Ohki, Aihara, Takeuchi), Brain
Mapping by Integrated Neurotechnologies for Disease Studies (Ohki, Ueda, K. Kasai), and Strategic
Basic Research Project–CREST (H. Kasai), serving as a part of the initial capital of IRCN. The total
amount of competitive research funding based on the percentage of time that the researchers will
devote to research activities at the center is 1.4 to 2.6 billion yen (mean 1.8 billion, median 1.6 billion)
per year.
After IRCN is established, the PIs will actively apply for grants, such as Grants-in-Aid for Scientific
Research on Innovative Areas, JST-CREST, the Human Frontier Science Program, both as individuals
and as IRCN-based groups. As calculated above, we expect to obtain at least 1.4 billion yen per year,
which exceeds the WPI project grant. We expect full support from the Graduate School of Medicine andother faculties for the laboratory space, animal facility, and common space for equipment. In the longrun, all IRCN members will have their laboratories in the same building to accelerate interaction within
IRCN.
3) Interdisciplinary Research* Describe why interdisciplinary research is necessary and important in the target field(s) and what new field(s) can be expected to becreated by way of this project. Describe your concrete strategy for advancing such interdisciplinary research.

The need and significance of interdisciplinary researchInterdisciplinary cooperation between life science, medicine, linguistics, mathematics, and information
science is a prerequisite for understanding highly complex brain functions and elucidating the pathologyof brain diseases. Neurointelligence, a new discipline that IRCN proposes, is an integration of researchon neural circuit development, technology development for probing neural circuits, studying psychiatricdisorders, and AI research. The synergy of these fields will elucidate principles of flexible neural circuit
development to realize HI, promote development of next-generation AI, and contribute proposed newtherapies of psychiatric disorders based on neural circuit dysfunction.
To our knowledge, there are few interdisciplinary research centers designed to promote suchcollaboration between world-renowned basic neuroscientists, physicians, and AI researchers with along-term goal of better understanding HI and creating new AI principles. Thus, IRCN will become ahighly competitive research center with unique scientific mission and profound social impact.
The University of Tokyo - 13
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceStudies on the learning process, the basis for HI, is an example of successful inter- disciplinary
research, which revealed that effective human goal-directed learning is based on deep learning by thecortex and reinforcement learning by the basal ganglia. The “Alpha Go” system that defeatedprofessional Go players, utilizes
these two learning processes.
The

core

dysfunction

underlying psychiatric disorders
is considered to exist in thecortex and basal ganglia. We
expect that explorations by
IRCN of unknown information
processing

mechanisms,

inaddition to the two mentioned
above

(i.e.

cortex–deeplearning and basal ganglia–
reinforcement

learning),

will

advance AI studies to the next
generation.
Strategy for conducting interdisciplinary research
The world-class PIs in IRCN will organize four research units: Development Study Core Unit, Technology
Development Unit, Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit, and Mathematical Information
Systems Unit. The units with distinct disciplines are expected to maintain close mutual relationships, as
specified below.
(i) Technology Development Unit develops state-of-the-art advanced techniques of neural circuit
analysis and measurement, including fluorescent and (bio) luminescent probes, manipulation of single
synapse, and simultaneous measurement of the activity of a number of neurons, to support neuralcircuit studies in the Development Study Core Unit.
(ii) Development Study Core Unit pursues the development of neural circuits and study of learning rules
in cooperation with the Technology Development Unit, which serves as a basis for exploration of novel
AI models in cooperation with the Mathematical Information Systems Unit. Furthermore, the unit
cooperates with the Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit to elucidate psychiatric disorder
pathologies.
(iii) Mathematical Information Systems Unit creates next-generation AI based on the regulation of neuralcircuit development etc. in the brain in cooperation with the Development Study Core Unit, andsystematically analyzes a large amount of data obtained by the Core Units, utilizing methods based onmathematical science and AI. Moreover, this unit works together with the Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Pathology Unit to better understand psychiatric disorders by models incorporating new rules of neural
The University of Tokyo - 14
International Research Center for Neurointelligencecircuit development etc.
(iv) Neurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit will clarify the etiology of developmental disorders
and ASD by analyzing the neural circuit of animal disease models in cooperation with the Development
Study Core Unit. This unit also collaborates with the Mathematical Information Systems Unit and aims
at understanding psychiatric disorders by modeling based on rules of neural circuit development etc.
Furthermore, it will perform quantitative analysis of images and physiological data from psychiatricpatients aiming at establishing objective criteria for diagnosis.
Cross-disciplinary
communication among
researchers
encouraged

will

be
by

frequent joint meetings
designed for exchange
of

ideas

information
researchandonsubjects,

techniques

andresources. This will befurther

supplemented

by yearly retreats andinternational symposia.
4) International Research Environment4)-1 System for advancing international research* Describe your concrete plan for building an international research center including the makeup of its foreign researchers,
establishment of oversea satellites, and provision of researcher exchanges. Please include a timetable for this plan.
* Describe concretely your strategy for staffing foreign researchers (e.g., postdoc positions) through open international solicitations.
Describe the procedures you will use to do so.

Successful establishment of an international research center will depend on many factors, but thefollowing three points are critical. 1. Strong leadership: Dr. Takao Hensch, prospective Director of IRCN,
has clear perspectives about the WPI goal and its impact on biology and medicine. His leadership will
attract talented young researchers irrespective of country 2. Outstanding members: We select the best
researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines both from UTokyo and outside institutions toassemble IRCN. Top-level researchers further enhance international visibility of IRCN. 3. Rich academic
environment: The center will fully utilize the rich educational and administrative resources of UTokyo.
Active flow of researchers through IRCN and satellite institutes will accelerate the international
collaborative activity. Hensch has many years of experience with student exchange into Japan.
Plan for building an international research center: Recognition of IRCN as a research hub acrossmultiple countries will be achieved by a multi-level enterprise by researchers, students andadministrative staff with the following strategies:
 Scientific Board (SB) and Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) selected from among SB members
The University of Tokyo - 15
International Research Center for Neurointelligenceput highest priority on recruitment of young researchers with high international activity and potential.
 IRCN members are encouraged to do collaborative research overseas each year. This rule has beenin operation in Kavli IPMU and is effective in networking with foreign researchers and research
institutes, as well as providing young researchers with opportunities for career advancement.
 SB and SAC provide scientific programs that facilitate active interaction between the core IRCN andsatellite units, located at Harvard University and the Max-Planck Florida Institute of Neuroscience.
 In order to facilitate interactions between foreign and Japanese members, research conferences andmeetings are conducted in English in principle.
 IRCN will interact with multiple graduate student programs in UTokyo and Harvard University andserve as a platform of facilitating global leadership of young scientists.
 IRCN sponsors a large-scale international symposium every year. In addition, frequent meetings andseminars by top foreign researchers are planned to attract scientists outside of IRCN.
Strategy for staffing foreign researchers: The Director, supported by SAC and SB, will put highest
effort on recruitment of young foreign researchers with high motivation and ability. After recruitment,
the Director will help the recruited scientists realize outstanding achievement during their term at IRCN
and become a strong candidate for faculty or post-doctoral positions at other globally leading research
institutions.
 Attractive job conditions are offered for foreign researchers with an annual salary system based on
their competence and performance.
 Job advertisement is made by wide announcement in media including first-rate scientific journals.
Applications will be received online. The hiring cycle will be made to fit overseas standards.
 Scientists with special knowledge and technology are invited to stay for several months to perform
joint research and seminars, which may provide opportunities for their future relocation to IRCN.
 The positions of Assistant Professors will be intended as tenure-track. For young faculty members, we
minimize duties to maximize their research-related activities. Assistant Professors are hired initiallyfor five years, and reviewed in the fifth year with their research outcomes. The review will determine
whether the appointment (1) ends at the end of the fifth year, (2) is extended for three more years,or (3) is promoted to Associate Professorship with tenure.
４) -2 Establishment of international research environment* Describe your concrete strategy for establishing an international research environment and administration system, and the support
system to be provided for researchers from overseas.
* Describe your strategy, procedure and timing for periodically holding international research conferences or symposiums (at least oncea year).
* Describe your measures to ensure that top-caliber researchers from around the world can work comfortably in carrying out theirresearch within a competitive international environment.

Strategy for establishing an international research environment and administration system,and the support system for researchers from overseas: We will support foreign scientists toadapt to the Japanese grant system, while lowering hurdles associated with daily life.
 Startup funds are provided for starting the work as soon as possible after arrival.
 Information for grant writing and management of accepted grants will be provided to encourage
foreign scientists to apply for grants from the government of Japan.
The University of Tokyo - 16
International Research Center for Neurointelligence A multilingual secretariat provides foreign researchers with various services according to the modelof Kavli IPMU. Examples include a website for information on daily life, accompanying researchers tocity offices, banks, real estate agents, etc., orientation services, Japanese language classes, online
safety education, and a 24-hour emergency medical service, including that for pregnant women.
 Priority acceptance to the residences around the campus may be considered.
International research conferences: IRCN will sponsor a large-scale international symposium every
year. Director Hensch is well known in the international neuroscience community and his experience,visibility and esteem will entice participation of top foreign scientists at our international conferences.
The kickoff symposium in the first year will be of utmost importance to set the framework of IRCN
activity. Our satellites will host international symposia abroad in rotation. These meetings promoteexchange of researchers among the core IRCN, its satellites and other institutes.
Measures to ensure that top-caliber researchers from around the world can work
comfortably in carrying out their research: IRCN’s administrative staff help researchers to prepare
application forms for research grants. The preexisting system of university research administrators(URAs) in UTokyo supports human resources necessary for IRCN administration. IRCN provides training
and full support for successful writing of grant proposals. This encourages researchers to secure theresearch funding without barriers. Administrative staff also supports grant management and report
preparation. Support for insuring and locating housing, daycare, and spousal employment will be
prepared.
5) Center Management5) -1 Operational management* Describe the role of the center director.
* Describe the role of the administrative director.
* Concretely describe your concept for establishing an administrative organization.
* Concretely describe the center’s decision-making system.
* Concretely describe how authority is allocated between the center director and the host institution.
* Concretely describe how the center will adopt a rigorous system for evaluating research and will introduce a system for merit-based
compensation (e.g. annual salary scheme). Please describe your procedures and timing for operationalizing these systems.

IRCN will be the third entity operating as the UTokyo Institute for Advanced Study (UTIAS). UTIAS is
an independent research organization, acting as an autonomous unit in the University and regarded asa test case in the reform of Japanese universities. Two are already established at UTokyo, the Kavli
IPMU and Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), providing a framework for IRCN
to have discretion in independence of recruiting researchers and budgetary requests.
Role of the center director: The center director is given all authority regarding organization andmanagement of the center. The center director has ultimate responsibility for all decisions in the IRCN.
The major roles are as follows: Setting missions and goals of IRCN: The Director sets both long- and short-term mission and goals of
IRCN and proposes plans and timetables that effectively lead to their realization.
 Effective organization of researchers in IRCN: The Director provides ideas, designs and plans thatmaximize the interactions and effective collaboration of researchers in IRCN.
 Administrative decisions: To reduce the burden of the Director, IRCN will recruit a strong
The University of Tokyo - 17
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceAdministrative Director, who has broad knowledge in both neuroscience and research administration.
 Recruiting scientists: The Director actively acts on the recruitment of promising young researchersand dissemination of the Center’s research outcomes to the scientific community and society.
Professor Takao Hensch, nominated as first director of IRCN, started his career as a researcher at
UTokyo after graduating from Harvard. He has experience running a laboratory and CREST Group in
Japan and is well acquainted with the management of institutes like RIKEN. His excellent achievements,
broad perspectives and outstanding communication skills will attract top-quality researchers fromaround the world and organize them as effective research teams. He is the best candidate for director.
He will spend time at UTokyo on a regular basis to oversee management of the entire center and leadthe Harvard Medical School (Boston Children’s Hospital) satellite. The president’s office will work closelywith Professor Hensch to ensure his full function as the IRCN Director. In particular, the office will be
responsible for increasing his physical presence at UTokyo to an adequate level, a minimum of 50% of
his total working hours, as soon as practicable. The office will immediately initiate negotiations with
Boston Children’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School to reach a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
with UTokyo.
Role of the administrative director (AD): The AD cooperates with the Director and provides
administrative services necessary for the execution of IRCN activities. The AD executes plans designedby the Director and orders other administrative staff for regular administrative duties and special events.
The AD coordinates activities of IRCN and other organizations both inside and outside of UTokyo, withemphasis on linking educational programs for graduate students. The AD and two deputy Directors
help the Director communicate with other IRCN members while the Director is occupied with outside
tasks, such as visits to satellites and international outreach activities.
We nominate Tetsushi Kagawa as AD of IRCN. Dr. Kagawa has been engaged in top-levelneuroscience and fully understands the mission of the center. He has profound knowledge about
research in the United States. His personal networks will help recruit talented foreign postdoctoral
fellows. His experience in the United States will also help communication with foreign researchers andadministrative staff. Currently he is engaged in administrative work at AMED, a Japanese funding agency
for medical research, and responsible for management of large-scale research funds. He is wellacquainted with the system of research funding in Japan and his support will be valuable for foreign
researchers to apply for domestic research funds.
Concept for establishing an administrative organization: The secretariat of IRCN is modeled
after that of the Kavli IPMU. The staff is strategically recruited utilizing systems such as post reallocation
at the discretion of the President, or employment with annual salary and unlimited term. Four sectionsof the administrative division are shown in the table below. Staff with special backgrounds, such as
bilinguals and specialists of institutional research, will be placed in related sections.

The University of Tokyo - 18
International Research Center for Neurointelligence

Center’s decision-making system: Managerial authority is concentrated on the Director and AD for
flexible decision making and, with support by the competent secretariat, for quick implementation of
the decision. The Director receives advice from the organizations shown in the table. The Executive
Board (EB), consisting of the Administrative Director (AD) and two deputy Directors, strongly supports
the Director for smooth operation and swift decision making. The Steering Committee (SC) serves aspersonnel committee for faculty. The SB is responsible for approval of the Director’s decisions and their
execution.

Decision Making System
Components

Personnell and Members

Administrative organization

Director

Dr. Takao Hensch

Components Personnell and main roles

Deputy Director

Drs. Masanobu Kano and Kazuo Emoto

Executive Board (EB)two Deputy Directors and AD

Steering Committee (SC)members of the EB and a couple of Pis

Scientific Board (SB)all PisScientific Advisory
Committee (SAC)
External Advisory
Committee (EAC)
Office for Research
Strategies (ORS)

two Deputy Directors and several Pis
seven internationally recognizedscientists

general affairs section: handling personnel and public
relation
accounting section: handling financing, purchasing, andmanaging external funds
Administrati international relations section: handling internationalve division conferences and workshops, support for staff and visitorsfrom abroad

two Deputy Directors and URAs

evaluation and analysis section: providing data necessary
for management decisions, collects survey indicators andprepares various reports

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) advises the Director on hiring new faculty and setting researchstrategies. The External Advisory Committee (EAC) provides advice to the University President on IRCN
activity. The Office for Research Strategies (ORS) analyzes research activities and future direction andreports to the Director. The PIs have a large autonomy in the research they conduct. Their research isfunded through competitive grants, but they can propose hiring of postdocs and senior scientists to the
Director in order to carry out their research. The Director’s approval on the proposed appointments willreflect the scientific vision and priorities set by the Director.
Authority allocation between the center director and the host institution: The president of
UTokyo, the head of the host institution, will appoint the Director and approve the principal investigators.
Other personnel and the operation of IRCN, including recruitment of researchers, management, andfinancial planning is done by the Director.
Research evaluation system linked with a system for merit-based compensation: By placing
IRCN within UTokyo Institutes of Advanced Study (UTIAS), its administration is less restricted by the
pre-existing framework. IRCN is given a status of “special district” within the University. In this scheme,
it is possible to implement top-down management, flexible hiring system and merit-based salary system.
Kavli IPMU, the first institute of UTIAS, has been successful in recruiting talented early-career scientists
by implementing an accurate and transparent evaluation system linked to annual salary system.
Stimulated by the success of these new approaches taken by the Kavli IPMU, UTokyo has intensified
the system reforms including merit-based salary scale, cross appointment, tenured position with nontraditional external funding, nenpo system (no traditional bonus / retirement benefit) with higher pays
and mobility, and flexible management of positions.
5) -2 Research environment
The University of Tokyo - 19
International Research Center for Neurointelligence* Concretely describe how equipment and facilities, including laboratory space, will be provided in a manner appropriate for a top
world-level research center. Include your procedure and timing.
* Concretely describe how the center will provide an environment in which researchers can work comfortably on their research by being
exempted from duties other than research and related educational activities, and how they will be provided adequate staff support
to handle paperwork and other administrative functions. Include your procedure and timing.
* Concretely describe how the center will arrange for its researchers to participate in the education of graduate students.

Equipment and facilities: IRCN will extensively rearrange pre-existing research spaces, equipment,
and related resources. We initiate this process by securing space for IRCN in the Faculty of Medicine
Building 1. IRCN will build common research space with advanced instruments and a core laboratory
providing cutting-edge instruments, along with fee-for-services provided by skilled operators and data
analysts. These common research spaces will facilitate collaboration of different units. IRCN will further
seek the possibility of constructing a new research building that provides research housing for all IRCN
members. Access to the building should be convenient for all IRCN members while the location should
follow the University’s campus plan.
Environment in which researchers can work comfortably on their research(1) General support for researchers Reduction of administrative duties: Decision making in IRCN is designed to be simple and effective.
All important decisions are made by the Director with SB approval and executed by the AD / EB.
 Support for institutional research: Administrative staff collects and analyzes data related to theinstitution and affiliated researchers and provides useful information to IRCN members.
 Support for specific events: We arrange the staff to support meetings and conferences, including
guest invitations, logistics, arrangement of trips and accommodations, advertisements, etc.
(2) Specific support for foreign scientists
IRCN will support international researchers to ensure a smooth start to their research in Japan.
Examples are support for Certificate of Eligibility and Visa, orientation about daily life in Japan, support
for residence registration, housing, bank account, childcare, healthcare and spousal employment. In
addition, the University will make special efforts to provide housing for Center researchers.
Participation of researchers in the education of graduate students: Education of graduate
students is an indispensable aspect of the Center. Starting with director Hensch at Harvard, our faculty
members are all part of pre-existing graduate schools. UTokyo reinforces education at the graduatelevel to produce qualified professionals through initiatives including the establishment of World-leading
Innovative Graduate Study (WINGS), a novel framework of the graduate course of international
excellence. Within this framework, we will extend the education of graduate students under IRCN’s
outstanding international research environment both at UTokyo and abroad. Through the Reischauer
Institute at Harvard, bidirectional student exchange with the satellite will be encouraged and supported.
5) -3 Establishing the center in sync with organizational restructuring* Concretely describe the host institution’s organizational reform that will be synchronized with the establishment of the center.
* Describe measures that will be taken by the host institution to sustain the center’s operation after the WPI funding ends. Also
describe how the host institution will promote the centers autonomy after WPI funding ends and how it will over the mid-to-longterm restructure its existing organization in ways that give the center a permanent place within its organization.

Reform of host institution synchronized with the establishment of the center: IRCN, alongwith Kavli IPMU, will continue to act as a core originator in the University’s reform. Establishment of
IRCN will synchronize with the following reform of the host institution.
The University of Tokyo - 20
International Research Center for Neurointelligence New employment systems for faculty level staff are in progress, including the Excellent Researchers
System started in FY2016, to stabilize posts for young faculty members. In addition, support systems
for female researchers will also help with recruitment into IRCN.
 Priority acceptance to residences (under construction) will help recruit excellent researchers.
 Establishment of certification and employment system for URAs will help IRCN management.
 New administration staff system of UTokyo will promote service-oriented attitude at IRCN.
 Initiatives including the establishment of WINGS will enable education of graduate students under
IRCN’s outstanding international research environment.
According to “University of Tokyo: Vision 2020”, the University is trying to attain financial independencewith efficient management and resource expansion by utilization of land assets, promoting industryuniversity cooperation, etc. Secured budgets are to be used for the promotion of excellent research
and are necessary for strategic investment in IRCN.
Sustainable operation of the center after the WPI funding ends: The ORS gathers informationfrom domestic and foreign funding agencies and foundations to boost IRCN activities. Clinical neuroscience in IRCN will promote collaboration with pharmaceutical companies. Continuous support of the
University is also critical to maintain and expand IRCN. In “The University of Tokyo: Vision 2020”
published in October 2015, President Gonokami sets “expansion and establishment of internationallyrenowned bases for research” as one of the important action plans. This is expected to materialize oneof the basic principles, “synergy between excellence and diversity”. The third mid-term objectives/plansof the University state that the University will form “research centers that can contribute in solving
issues in both academic and social domains, with pioneering, prompt, agile, and practical approaches”.
This plan also states that “research centers objectively recognized by their excellence, such as UTIAS,
are prioritized for support from the University.” Hence, the President of UTokyo strongly supports thecenter and regards IRCN as one of the most important units in the University and will provide fullfledged support. Organizational structure of UTIAS enables IRCN to give a status of “special district”
within the University. Like the other two UTIAS, IRCN has discretion in recruiting researchers andbudgetary requests to MEXT. IRCN thus acts as an autonomous unit in the University and pioneers the
University’s organization reform. In addition to the University’s special consideration of operation costs,
human resources and space for IRCN, the University’s reform including personnel, employment andeducation as described above will assure the sustainability of IRCN.

The University of Tokyo - 21
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceDIRECTOR’S VISION

Takao K. Hensch, PhD 1
Over the course of evolution, humans have gained a special status in relation to other species. Notably,
humans have produced a far more complex and flexible society and tools for driving their own destiny.
What is the essence of human intelligence (HI), which is the source of civilization, science, and technology?
From a socio-biological perspective, HI can be considered a consequence of humans’ superior brain
functions, despite the fact that our physical capabilities are far less advanced than those of many otheranimal species. These mental functions enable social cooperation, long-term planning, and theaccumulation and transmission of knowledge through spoken and written language.
With tremendous technological advances, however, modern society is also facing significant challenges
in mental health. For example, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, and other psychiatricconditions are posing tremendous burden on society. Such disorders reflect maladjustment to the social
environment created by HI, underscoring the need for innovative solutions.
Artificial intelligence (AI), which the human brain has created, is strikingly outpacing HI in many areas.
Through deep learning and other machine learning, AI is increasingly having a significant social impact.
Efforts to elucidate how HI emerges, and to link HI and AI within the same framework, are sorely needed.
Together, they explore the essential underpinnings of human civilization and culture. Uncovering
principles of the brain basis for HI is the most challenging and urgent scientific frontier.
To this end, we aim to establish a new WPI center that pioneers the innovative interdisciplinary
study of ‘Neurointelligence’ – a novel concept in neuroscience made possible only through a synergistic,
multi-disciplinary collaboration with world-class researchers. Never before in human history have theexperimental and computational tools for understanding how biological circuits underlie behavior and thepotential to emulate their complex dynamics in machines been so perfectly aligned. The team members
assembled in this WPI are already recognized world leaders in their individual disciplines, who now jointly
seek an integration that promises unprecedented understanding of HI.
1. Investigate the process whereby Neurointelligence emerges in the developing brain.
2. Elucidate basic mechanisms underlying mental disorders from the perspective of HI failure.
3. Promote technological innovation in AI based on deeper insight into information processing
mechanisms in the brain.
My research career has focused on
the interplay of genes andenvironment in shaping neuralnetworks in the brain. This work has
been recognized for its pioneering
insight into “critical periods” ofheighted brain plasticity early in life.
The basic mechanisms,
first
identified in the visual cortex,
revealed that these windows can be
manipulated. They may be shifted
earlier or later by drugs or mental
illness and even reopened in
adulthood. Similar critical period
plasticity has been demonstrated
across brain regions, including
auditory, insular, prefrontal cortices
and cingulate gyrus, following
similar principles as in visual cortex.
Although Harvard provides anoptimal environment for such basic exploration, the study of Neurointelligence requires a deeper strategic
research program that integrates novel computational and technological approaches. Building on
1Takao Hensch, named the first director of the proposed WPI center, spent the early days of his career at UTokyo after
graduating from Harvard. Following his PhD at UCSF, he was appointed Group Director in his early 30s at the RIKEN Brain
Science Institute. Currently serving as Director of the NIMH Silvio Conte Center at Harvard, he plays a pivotal role there inneuroscience, spanning basic research to human application. Throughout his career, Takao Hensch has gained extensive
experience and broad exposure to domestic and international communities of researchers, and fully understands the latest
challenges in the field. He is the most promising potential Director of IRCN.

complementary resources and expertise at the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and specific research
institutes overseas, it is now timely to establish an International Research Center for Neurointelligence(IRCN). This new WPI is characterized as follows:
1. Internationally Recognized Research Network
I currently serve as Professor at Harvard University. By shifting my research base to IRCN, we aim for
rapid, synergistic progress with global impact. Since returning to the US from RIKEN, I have led student
exchange programs between Harvard and Japanese institutions. UTokyo and the Max-Planck Institute,
Germany, have also signed neuroscience partnership agreements, stimulating significant researchcollaboration. Together, this network offers unparalleled training opportunities for scholars worldwide.
2. Integration of Neuroscience with Information Sciences and Clinical Research
The concept of Neurointelligence, the hallmark of this proposed WPI center, is based on a uniquely deep
integration of neuroscience and AI research. Hiroki Ueda, Kazuyuki Aihara, and Masashi Sugiyama willlead the Mathematical Information Systems Unit, and all three are well-known, top-tier scientists insystems biology, mathematical neuroscience, and AI research. Importantly, IRCN includes large clinicalcenters in Tokyo and Boston for active translational research, which cannot be achieved by other brain
science institutes without clinical branches.
3. Research Goals with Major and Visible Social Impact
Building on the novel concept of Neurointelligence, IRCN addresses the global scientific challenge ofidentifying neural mechanisms underlying HI, how it emerges in development, and to better inform medical
efforts for overcoming psychiatric and mental health problems. Ultimately, the center will give rise to new
AI technologies, their social application and greater social impact.
IRCN will consist of four core research units, encompassing 15 principal investigators (PIs) selectedfrom renowned scientists among UTokyo and overseas research institutions. The core units will engage inclose cooperation and coordination with each other, and the synergy among them will facilitate
breakthrough insights. Specifically, the PIs of IRCN will have a common interest in the structural andfunctional development of neural circuits as the basis of Neurointelligence.
First, the Developmental Research Unit will include: Yukiko Gotoh, Masanobu Kano, Kazuo Emoto,
Rachel Wong, Kenichi Ohki, Haruo Kasai, Kuniyoshi Sakai and myself. They will engage in biologicalresearch on the process of neural circuit development, modification and maturation from late fetal topostnatal periods. Second, the Technological Development Unit will consist of Yasushi Okada, Haruo Kasai,
Arthur Konnerth, and Shoji Takeuchi. The mission of this unit is to develop cutting-edge technologies forresearch on neural circuit development, such as ultra-high resolution microscopy, functional analysis andmanipulation of single synapses, and simultaneous activity measurement of multiple neurons. Third, theNeurodevelopmental Disorder Pathology Unit will be jointly headed by myself and Kiyoto Kasai. An
understanding of psychiatric pathology arising from the disturbance of neural circuit development willfurther deepen our knowledge of HI. Kiyoto Kasai will conduct MRI-based structural and functional studies
on the brain of patients with ASD and schizophrenia. I will utilize complementary preclinical models to
study their circuit pathology and explore novel treatments by manipulating neural circuit plasticity. Fourth,the Mathematical Information Systems Unit will be led by Hiroki Ueda, Kazuyuki Aihara, and Masashi
Sugiyama (see above). Their studies will give rise to new AI technologies.
Together, these four units will engage in concerted efforts to achieve the center’s overall goals. The
innovative techniques developed by the Technological Development Unit will support the Developmental
Research Unit. The work on preclinical psychiatric models will inform research at the Neurodevelopmental
Disorder Pathology Unit. Leveraging the principles underlying both neural circuit development anddysfunction, the Mathematical Information Systems Unit will pursue innovative new AI technologies.
Additionally, the WPI center will include joint projects with Harvard, including Boston Children’s Hospitalfor translational research, as well as the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience to further establish
tools and basic research. By incorporating overseas satellite laboratories the WPI will broaden its global
footprint and global outreach to train the next generation of Japanese and foreign scientists.
By uniquely integrating biological, medical, linguistic, mathematical, and information sciences, this WPI
will tackle the greatest challenge to mankind: can the human brain understand itself? The
center’s strategy will herald a new scientific paradigm of Neurointelligence, leading the way
toward revealing core mechanisms of HI, correcting its disorders and shaping AI technologies
to positively impact our future society.

World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Host Institution’s Commitment
Jun 2, 2017
To MEXTThe University of Tokyo
Makoto Gonokami, President

Signature

I confirm that the measures listed below will be carried out faithfully regarding “International ResearchCenter for Neurointelligence” adopted under the World Premier International Research Center Initiative.
<Provision in host institution’s mid-to-long-term plan>・Describe clearly the host institution’s mid-to-long-term plan and how it will position the center within that plan.

In its Third Mid-Term Goals and Plans, the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) has decided to “establish
research hubs that address academic and social challenges in a pioneering, adaptive, and result-basedmanner and thereby promote solution-driven, interdisciplinary activities”. For this purpose, particularattention has been made to “reinforce the organizational structure and operations platform of the
University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study (UTIAS) and other centers of excellence”. The UTokyo

Vision 2020, released in October 2015 to embody the motto of excellence and diversity, specifies the“expansion and establishment of internationally renowned bases for research” as a key action plan. The
International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN) will be positioned as the third UTIAS member
institution in addition to the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
and the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S).
Taking note of its 140-year history, post-incorporation situations of the national universities, and therecent drastic changes in the national and international socioeconomic environment, UTokyo is planning toapply for a Designated National University Corporation status in order to achieve greater academic
governance and capabilities to contribute to the evolving social and economic needs. As per the UTokyo
Vision 2020, we have been implementing a series of initiatives to enhance UTokyo’s academic
competitiveness. Those measures include: (i) to increase management efficiency by ensuring thetransparency of human, financial, and technological resource allocation and by reviewing institutional
research data, and (ii) to expand revenue and strengthen financial self-sufficiency through industrial
partnership, effective use of available land assets, and other means.
<Concrete Measures>・Describe the concrete measures that the host institution will take to satisfy the following requirements.

1)

How the host institution will support the center’s operation and research activities inaccordance with the Application Guidelines, section “6. Host institution’s commitment.”

IRCN deals with the evolution of human intelligence, one of the unexplored fields of science. The
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International Research Center for NeurointelligenceWorld Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Institute is expected to be a hub for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) research that assists in creating
new robotics industries, intelligent healthcare systems, and other social advances. UTokyo has launched
the Tsukuba–Kashiwa–Hongo Innovation Corridor Plan to foster a research and development platform on
UTokyo’s Kashiwa Campus for collaboration on innovative material, AI, analytical measurement techniques,
and other cutting-edge topics. The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, theNational Institute for Materials Science, the National Cancer Center, and UTokyo’s spin-off venturecompanies will participate in this project. In addition, UTokyo established the Next Generation Artificial
Intelligence Research Center in October 2016 and the Center for Education and Research of Mathematics
and Data Science in February 2017. These initiatives aim to develop experts in next-generation AI, andmathematical and informatics sciences. In collaboration with these organizations, IRCN will apply its
findings to a wide range of scientific arenas, thereby contributing to social and economic advancements.
UTokyo has positioned the new WPI center as one of its most important driving forces for its structuralreform, and will support its activities to achieve its clearly defined goals.
2)

How the host institution will establish a basic policy for the mid-to-long term direction of its
organization and operation, one that restructures its existing organization in ways that givethe center a permanent place within its organization. Please provide a concrete schedule forcarrying out this organizational restructuring.

Kavli IPMU, the first institute under the UTIAS umbrella, is undergoing organizational adjustments sothat it can gain a stable and durable basis by the end of the extended WPI grant period. IRCN will belocated at first under the UTIAS umbrella. Following the example of Kavli IPMU, the new WPI center will
undergo organizational restructuring to obtain a stable and long-lasting status from a university-wideorganizational perspective.
3)

Ways in which the host institution will provide support to sustain the center as a world
premier international research center after the WPI grant period ends.

IRCN will receive sufficient financial support from UTokyo’s special budget committee established in2015 to take responsibility for strategic development and management of revenue streams. Additionally,
the University’s Administration Bureau will provide the necessary financial and human resources support tothe departments that assign their faculty members on a joint basis to the new WPI center to ensure thatthe establishment of the new center will cause no adverse impact on the research and educational
activities of those departments.
4)

How will a system be instituted under which the center’s director is able to make substantive
personnel and budget allocation decisions necessary to implementing the center project—asystem, which in practice, will allow the center director autonomy in making decisions
regarding the center’s operation.

The success of Kavli IPMU will shape the new WPI center’s executive leadership and governance policy.
Specifically, budget and recruitment will not be a remit of the board of professors. Instead, the center
director will assume sole responsibility for the recruitment of post-doctoral fellows, academic developmentof junior researchers, allocation of travel expenses, invitation of external speakers, project participation,
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International Research Center for NeurointelligenceWorld Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
and other matters related to the operation of the center. This top-down chain of command will help
maximize the center’s overall performance.
5) Support that will be provided to the center director in coordinating with other departments
within the host institution when recruiting researchers for the center, while giving
reasonable regard to the educational and research activities of those departments.

The center director and the director of administration will be primarily responsible for the operation andmanagement of the center. In addition, a powerful administrative office will assist the center director to
make quick and strategic decisions. This efficient and centralized management system will reduce theadministrative load of the new WPI center’s principal and other researchers who will have concurrent
responsibilities in their other affiliations, such as the Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School of
Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate
School of Frontier Sciences, the Institute of Industrial Science, and the University of Tokyo Hospital. The
Administration Bureau will allocate adequate financial and human resources support to maximize theirresearch and teaching potential.
6)

Flexibility that will be given in applying, revising, or outfitting the host institution’s internal
systems as needed for the center to effectively implement new management methods (e.g.
English-language environment, merit-based pay, top-down decision making, cooperation in
graduate education) unfettered by conventional modes of operation.

The innovative solutions adopted at Kavli IPMU have revolutionized its organizational management
strategies. UTokyo has been making efforts to improve the international competence of its administrative
staff in assisting with the relocation of researchers from overseas. For example, the proportion of staff
members who have scored 800 or higher on the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
has increased by 10% in the past 10 years, and over the next decade, over 30% of the total staff body is
expected to be at this level. The current reform efforts of UTokyo include a systematic review andintegration of international programs, creation of World-leading Innovative Graduate Study (WINGS), andsupport for graduate students. Such efforts will produce a synergistic relationship between IRCN and thegraduate schools of UTokyo.
UTokyo is the pioneer in academic reform among Japanese higher education institutions. For example,
we have adopted a cross appointment system and other programs to facilitate the employment of leading
junior researchers and female researchers. We will launch a new initiative in April 2018 to increase thenumber of tenure-track faculty members aged 40 years or younger by leveraging a variety of revenue
sources. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to increase the number of researchers which had been
shrinking due to the rising cuts in Government funding for operating expenses. At the start of the academic
year (AY) 2017, 89 researchers aged 40 years or younger have gained tenure-track positions. The aim is toincrease the number to 300 by the end of AY 2020. UTokyo is dedicated to designing, revising, andimplementing strategic faculty employment and allocation policies.
7) The accommodation that will be given the center’s infrastructural requirements (for facilities,
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International Research Center for NeurointelligenceWorld Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
e.g., laboratory space; equipment; land, etc.).

IRCN will occupy a sizable, dedicated area on Hongo Campus to host an interactive, collaborativeenvironment. UTokyo’s cutting-edge apparatuses and equipment will be available to internal and external
users upon request. Agreements will be made to allow the WPI center researchers to gain prioritizedaccess to such facilities and other shared research spaces.
UTokyo is dedicated to fostering a safe and comfortable living environment for researchers and students
from abroad. Under the President’s globally outward-looking leadership, construction of the Mejirodai
International Residence Hall is underway in the vicinity of Hongo Campus. The building, which will becompleted by the end of July 2019, will cover an overall floor space of 28,700 m2, housing 857 rooms forinternational researchers and students (95 and 476, respectively), as well as domestic male and female
students (95 and 191, respectively). The geographic proximity provides an easy access to Hongo Campus.
Negotiations are underway to prioritize a certain number of residential rooms for overseas researchers andstudents of the new WPI center.
8) Other types of assistance that will be provided to give maximum support to the center inachieving its concepts and objectives and in becoming a world premier international research
center in both name and deed.

The UTIAS Steering Committee, chaired by the board member responsible for the WPI initiative,
provides guidance and recommendations on internationally competitive WPI centers. Specifically, thecommittee provides university-wide support for the proposed center, enabling close coordination andmaximum synergy with Kavli IPMU and IR3S. UTokyo is planning to revise its administrative personnel
management policy in a step-wise manner, starting in April 2018. With the goal of ensuring a robust
financial basis for operations, this revision aims to develop and maintain professional administrative staff
members capable of creating new value and transform their occupational self-identification from“administrative workers” to “academic clerks”, and UTokyo is shifting gears from “school management” to“business administration”. The establishment of the Future Society Initiative Co-creation will be a key
milestone in this regard. These university-wide reform efforts will provide maximum support for the
proposed WPI center.
9)

How the host institution will self-evaluate the good results of the system reforms achieved by
the center and take the initiative in extending them to departments throughout its
organization.

The 2016 WPI Follow-up Report, issued in February 2017 by the WPI Program Committee, reads asfollows:“Kavli IPMU has initiated a number of system reforms: nenpo system and merit-based salary system,
split appointments, top-down management, Kavli endowment, and non-traditional tenure positions.
These reforms have become widespread in other WPI centers, and even adopted by MEXT in its
National University Reform Plan”.
IRCN will adopt these proven approaches, and influence the future reform actions of the hostorganization by showcasing their positive impact.
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International Research Center for NeurointelligenceWorld Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
10)

If the host institution has already established a WPI center, it should be fully supporting themaintenance and further development of the existing center and be capable, at the sametime, of fully supporting the new center.

Kavli IPMU has adopted a variety of innovative administrative measures, which include a crossappointment system (a first among Japan’s higher institutions), a flexible wage system to recruit
world-class scientists, quick top-down decision-making, and the appointment of an internationallycompetent administrative staff to provide daily-living support for overseas researchers and their families
who have relocated to Japan. Their success has positively shaped the subsequent reform actions by the
Administration Bureau. UTokyo has introduced a special employment system for promising juniorresearchers. In 2016, it launched a special program to register university research administrators (URAs)
and senior URAs who can provide assistance in strengthening its research quality. Starting in 2017,indefinite-term, annual-salary, full-time employment opportunities will be offered to selected URAs. The
appointment of such researchers and URAs to Kavli IPMU and the new WPI center will advance the futurereform movement of UTokyo.
Kavli IPMU is devoted to the mystery of the birth of the universe, whereas IRCN aims to investigate theneural basis of human intelligence. Despite the differences in the research fields, both centers address
fundamental scientific challenges using approaches characterized by excellence and diversity, the hallmark
of UTokyo. The mutual influences between the two centers will help UTokyo gain world-wide recognition
as a premier research university.

The University of Tokyo -5
International Research Center for NeurointelligenceList of Principal Investigators
・If the number of principal investigators exceeds 10, add columns as appropriate.
・Place an asterisk(*) by the name of the investigators who are considered to be ranked among the world’s top researchers.
・Give age as of 1 April 2017.
・For investigators who cannot participate in the center project from its beginning, indicate the time that their participation will start in the “Notes”
column.
・ Include principal investigators affiliated with satellite institutions. Give the name of their satellite institutions in the “Notes” column.

Name

1

Takao Kurt Hensch*2

Masanobu Kano*

3

Kenichi Ohki*

4

Kazuo Emoto*5

Yukiko Gotoh*

6

7

Age

Current affiliation(Institution, department,
specialization)

Academic degree

Professor, Molecular andCellular Biology, Center
for Brain Science,
50 Harvard University
MD & PhD
Developmental
Neuroscience,
Neurophysiology
Professor, Department of
Neurophysiology, Divisionof Functional Biology,
60 Graduate School of
MD & PhD
Medicine, the Universityof Tokyo
Neurophysiology
Professor, Department ofIntegrative Physiology,
Division of Functional
45 Biology, Graduate School MD & PhD
of Medicine, theUniversity of Tokyo
Neuroscience
Professor, Department of
Biological Sciences,
Graduate School of
PhD
48
Science, the University ofTokyo
Neural Network
Professor, Department ofPharmaceutical Sciences,
Graduate School of
PhD
53
Pharmaceutical Sciences,
the University of Tokyo
Neural Stem Cells

Rachel Wong*

Professor, Department of
Biological Structure,
PhD
58 School of Medicine,
University of Washington
Synapse Formation

Kuniyoshi Sakai*

Professor, Department of
Basic Science, Graduate
School of Arts and
52 Sciences, the University PhD
of Tokyo
Neurobiology ofLanguage

Notes

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Yasushi Okada*Professor, Department of
Physics, Graduate School
48 of Science, the University PhD
of Tokyo
Bioimaging

Haruo Kasai*

Professor, Center for
Disease Biology and
60 Integrative Medicine, the MD & PhD
University of Tokyo
Neurophysiology

Arthur Konnerth*

Director, Institute of
Neuroscience,
63 Technische Universität
München
Neurophysiology

MD & PhD

Kiyoto Kasai*

Professor and Chair,
Department of
Neuropsychiatry,
Graduate School of
46 Medicine, the Universityof Tokyo
Neuroimaging and Early
Intervention for
Schizophrenia

MD & PhD

Hiroki Ueda*

Professor, Department of
Systems Pharmacology,
Division of Functional
41 Biology, Graduate School MD & PhD
of Medicine, theUniversity of Tokyo
Systems Biology

Shoji Takeuchi*

Professor, Department of
Mechanical and
Biofunctional Systems,
PhD
44 Institute of Industrial
Science, the University ofTokyo
Biohybrid Systems

Kazuyuki Aihara*

Professor, Department ofInformatics andElectronics, Institute of
62 Industrial Science, the
PhD
University of Tokyo
Biological Information
Systems

Masashi Sugiyama*

Professor, Department ofComplexity Science andEngineering, Graduate
School of Frontier
42
PhD
Sciences, the Universityof TokyoStatistical Machine
Learning
The University of Tokyo - 1

International Research Center for NeuroIntelligence