President's Message
Greetings from the President of the Japanese Society for Synchrotron Radiation Research
President of the Japanese Society for Synchrotron Radiation Research
Masaki Yamamoto
I am Masaki Yamamoto, and it is my honor to serve as the President of the Japanese Society for Synchrotron Radiation Research, effective October 1, 2025. In this address, I would like to share my thoughts on the mission of our society.
According to our articles of incorporation, "synchrotron radiation science, synchrotron radiation technology, and closely related academic disciplines" are defined as "synchrotron radiation research." Our website further specifies "synchrotron radiation research" as "a new interdisciplinary research field covering everything from the generation to the application of synchrotron radiation." However, as the core of the synchrotron radiation community, our society has established a new interdisciplinary research area, "synchrotron radiation science," which encompasses a broader range of scientific and industrial applications. This "synchrotron radiation science" has advanced on two fronts: facility staff dedicated to "synchrotron radiation research," who focus on research and development of synchrotron radiation technology like state-of-the-art light sources, beamline optics, and measurement devices, and heavy users who collaborate with staff to develop and apply these technologies. This "synchrotron radiation science" is supported by a broad range of researchers and engineers from both academia and industry.
Today, synchrotron radiation is evolving into a social infrastructure used by a broader range of scientists and engineers as a high-performance experimental tool that generates innovative research outcomes. To meet this societal demand, I propose we redefine the scope of our society's activities. We will shift our focus from being solely on "synchrotron radiation research" to embracing the broader "synchrotron radiation science," which includes a wider range of researchers and engineers. By doing so, we aim to deepen information sharing and future-oriented discussions not only with our existing society members but also with a broader community of synchrotron radiation users.
Specifically, we will work to revitalize the entire synchrotron radiation community and nurture new talent, including young researchers, to attract new members. Following the spirit of our former president, Dr. Adachi, we will also strive to improve accessibility for new users by making the unique features and utilization systems of each domestic synchrotron radiation facility more transparent on our website. This will lower the barrier to entry for new synchrotron radiation users and encourage more researchers and engineers to utilize these facilities. Furthermore, we plan to discuss the possibility of creating a more open membership system that includes potential users. We also intend to expand our annual meeting and symposium. Instead of focusing solely on new developments in "synchrotron radiation research" from facility staff and heavy users, we will create a forum for discussing the needs and outcomes within "synchrotron radiation science," which includes potential users from various fields. This will help us form a more open community where a greater number of researchers and engineers can gather to discuss the future of synchrotron radiation.
Additionally, we will continue to provide content for specialists in our workshops and study groups while also focusing on nurturing talent in new fields, such as interdisciplinary applications of synchrotron radiation and data science for handling large-scale data. Additionally, the Data Standardization Committee will continue to address data-related issues that have become increasingly important in recent years.
During my two-year term, I am committed to building upon our past efforts to further promote and advance synchrotron radiation, which serves as a foundation for research in Japan. I will do my best to contribute to the growth of the synchrotron radiation community. I ask for your understanding and support.