RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences

What RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences does

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) is an international research center within RIKEN (理化学研究所), a Japanese national research institution, headquartered at RIKEN's Wako Campus in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Established in 2016 as the RIKEN Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program and elevated to a center on April 1, 2025, iTHEMS facilitates close collaboration among researchers from theoretical physics, mathematics, biology, computational science, and social science disciplines. It is organized around two divisions — Fundamental Mathematical Science and Applied Mathematical Science — housing teams including the Quantum Mathematical Science Team, Medical Science Deep Learning Team, Mathematical Social Science Team, Mathematical Application Research Team, and the Mathematical Genomics ECL Research Unit, with 4+ Working Groups and 12+ Study Groups structuring ongoing cross-disciplinary exchange.

The center's core technology outputs include ASURA-FDPS-ML (an AI-augmented galaxy simulation code combining numerical astrophysical simulation with machine learning surrogate models, which received the 2026 HPCI Software Award), the Japanese Medical Domain-Specific LLM (achieving up to 90.8% accuracy on specialist medical examinations, developed under NEDO with ten institutions), the topological superconductor identification formula, and a unified exact WKB framework for resonant states. Its research infrastructure spans seven SUURI-COOL satellite offices across Japan (Kyoto, Sendai, Komaba, Kyushu, KEK/Tsukuba) and internationally (Taipei, Berkeley/LBNL), plus the RIKEN-Berkeley Center for joint research.

iTHEMS does not generate commercial revenue; it is publicly funded through Japanese government grants (including NEDO and JST programs) and RIKEN institutional allocation, with no pricing tiers, customer contracts, or productized revenue streams. Its strategic go-to-market is event-driven, anchored in academic publications (arXiv), workshops, colloquia, public outreach events, and bilingual digital communications. Its customers, in the funder sense, are Japanese government science agencies (NEDO, JST, MEXT) and the global academic research community, while its broader audience includes the Japanese public reached through museum exhibitions (e.g., Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, EXPO 2025 Osaka), online public lectures with academist Inc., and MEXT poster outreach initiatives.

Name

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences

Legal name

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS)

Website

https://ithems.riken.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

iTHEMS is a non-profit research center within Japan's RIKEN national institute that conducts interdisciplinary theoretical, mathematical, and computational research spanning physics, biology, AI, and social science, serving the global academic community and funded by Japanese government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wako

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government & Public Research Funding: As a research center within RIKEN, a Japanese national research institute, iTHEMS is primarily funded through government grants and public research funding, including projects such as NEDO's 'Safety Verification and Demonstration for the Social Implementation of a Japanese Medical Domain-Specific LLM' and JST BOOST project 'New Developments in Superstring Theory as Data Science'. It does not generate commercial revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

RIKEN iTHEMS is an international research center within RIKEN that conducts interdisciplinary theoretical, mathematical, and computational sciences research. It organizes divisions, working groups, and study groups that span quantum mathematical science, mathematical genomics, medical deep learning, social science, and applied mathematics, producing research outputs such as software (e.g., ASURA-FDPS-ML, Japanese Medical LLM), peer-reviewed publications, seminars, and public outreach. On April 1, 2025, iTHEMS transitioned from a program to a center within RIKEN.

Product overview

RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) operates as an international research center at RIKEN with a platform-plus-modules architecture for interdisciplinary theoretical, mathematical and computational sciences research. The core center (iTHEMS itself, directed by Satoshi Iso) organizes and unifies several specialized research teams and units, including the Quantum Mathematical Science Team, Medical Science Deep Learning Team, Mathematical Genomics ECL Research Unit, Mathematical Social Science Team, and Mathematical Application Research Team. Its research outputs include software products such as ASURA-FDPS-ML (a galaxy simulation code combining AI surrogate models with astrophysical simulations, recognized with the 2026 HPCI Software Award) and the Japanese Medical LLM (a generative AI for healthcare administrative tasks developed collaboratively for up to 90.8% accuracy on specialist medical examinations), as well as art-science outreach works like the Black Hole Recorder (exhibited at EXPO 2025 Osaka Kansai). On April 1, 2025, iTHEMS transitioned from a program to a center, with the ultimate goal of unraveling the mystery of the Universe, matter, and life through interdisciplinary approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ASURA-FDPS-ML Galaxy Simulation Code A galaxy simulation code developed by Keiya Hirashima at iTHEMS that combines numerical simulations of galaxy formation and evolution with machine learning surrogate models to improve efficiency in large-scale astrophysical simulations. For use by computational astrophysics researchers.
• Japanese Medical Domain-Specific LLM A high-performance Japanese large language model designed to support administrative tasks in healthcare settings, with extensive safety assessments tailored to the Japanese healthcare system. For use by healthcare institutions and practitioners; performance comparable to state-of-the-art commercial LLMs.
• Black Hole Recorder An art-science outreach artwork inspired by quantum black hole theory, combining audio, quantum physics concepts, and artistic visualizations. Created through collaboration between RIKEN iTHEMS and Kyoto University researchers for public exhibition.

Quantifiable outcome

• Japanese Medical LLM achieved up to 90.8% accuracy on specialist medical examinations, performance comparable to state-of-the-art commercial LLMs
• +3 more outcomes

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability10 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Center for Theoretical Sciences (NCTS), TaiwancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Joint research initiative launched in April 2026; jointly funds RIKEN iTHEMS–NCTS Joint Postdoctoral Positions. SUURI-COOL (Taipei) supports collaboration.
• RIKEN SUURI CORPORATIONcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIKEN SUURI CORPORATION is an associated company of iTHEMS. The collaboration supports the broader RIKEN mission and iTHEMS activities around mathematical and theoretical sciences, including knowledge transfer and innovation.
• RIKEN Innovation Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIKEN Innovation Co., Ltd. is an associated company of iTHEMS, supporting innovation and commercialization of RIKEN's research outputs, including those of iTHEMS.
• Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University (AIMR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for iTHEMS supporting interdisciplinary collaboration between mathematics and materials science research.
• Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (IPMU), The University of TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution enabling joint research in physics and mathematics of the universe; co-organized colloquia and seminars.
• Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, The University of Tokyo (ICRR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution collaborating on astroparticle physics and cosmic ray research.
• Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution enabling graduate-level collaboration and exchange between mathematicians and iTHEMS researchers.
• Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University (KUIAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for advanced theoretical research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Mathematics-based Creation of Science Program, Kyoto University (MACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner program; co-organized MACS Colloquia (e.g., 33rd MACS Colloquium held July 17, 2026).
• Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences / Faculty of Science, National University Corporation Nara Women's UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution supporting interdisciplinary research in humanities, sciences, and mathematics.
• Core for Theoretical Science Research, Osaka University (CTSR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution supporting theoretical physics research collaboration.
• Institute of Mathematics for Industry, Kyushu University (IMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution collaborating on industrial and applied mathematics research.
• Kavli Institute for Theoretical Sciences (KITS), University of Chinese Academy of SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in China for theoretical sciences collaboration.
• CERN ALICE CollaborationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for high-energy/nuclear physics research collaboration at CERN.
• Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley (UCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner department; hosts the RIKEN-Berkeley Center, joint postdoctoral fellowships, and visiting researcher exchanges (e.g., Gabriele Di Ubaldo, Yuuka Kanakubo).
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner national lab; hosts SUURI-COOL (LBNL), enabling joint research between RIKEN iTHEMS and LBNL scientists.
• FAIR/GSIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for nuclear/hadron physics research collaboration at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Germany.
• High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Japan for high-energy physics; hosts SUURI-COOL (KEK) in Tsukuba.
• Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization (ACRO), Teikyo UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for comprehensive research collaboration.
• University of Tokyo, Kyushu University (NEDO Japanese Medical LLM consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium of ten institutions led under NEDO's project 'Safety Verification and Demonstration for the Social Implementation of a Japanese Medical Domain-Specific LLM'. iTHEMS (Jun Seita, Team Director of the Medical Science Deep Learning Team) contributed to research and development of the Japanese medical LLM.
• academist Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration partner for the online public event 'Exploring the World of Science through Mathematics' (held April 18, 2026, and prior years); iTHEMS x academist online events broaden public outreach to non-specialist audiences.
• Museum of Contemporary Art TokyominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosted the talk event 'Useless Science and Art vol.2' on May 6, 2026 as a related event to the exhibition MOT Collection: Mission∞Infinity – Space × Art × Quantum, in connection with the Black Hole Recorder artwork.
• ADK Marketing SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative Director Yoshihiro Kozuka and Experience Designer Haruka Kodama from ADK Marketing Solutions participated as speakers at the 'Useless Science and Art vol.2' event, supporting science–art collaboration.
• RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing (RQC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal RIKEN collaboration partner; co-organized the First RIKEN Quantum International Workshop on Frontiers of Quantum Computing Applications and Quantum–HPC Integration (May 25-26, 2026). Quantum Computation Study Group seminars feature RQC researchers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton): Premier US private institute for advanced theoretical research in mathematics, natural sciences, and historical studies; serves as a structural template for iTHEMS' model of unfettered, interdisciplinary theoretical research with elite visiting scholars.
• Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics: Independent theoretical physics research institute in Canada with a similar model: government/private funding mix, interdisciplinary theoretical science, visiting scientist programs, and public outreach emphasis — the closest international analog to iTHEMS.
• Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP), Kyoto University: Hosts SUURI-COOL Kyoto at iTHEMS; Japan's leading theoretical physics institute with overlapping research in quantum field theory, string theory, and mathematical physics — directly comparable in mission and faculty profile.
• Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES): French institute dedicated to theoretical mathematics and physics with small resident faculty and high visitor throughput — directly comparable to iTHEMS on size, mission, and the model of cross-disciplinary theoretical research.
• Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences: UK-based international research institute for mathematics and the theoretical sciences; comparable to iTHEMS in its workshop/program-driven model, visiting-researcher emphasis, and interdisciplinary theoretical scope.
• Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU): University of Tokyo's interdisciplinary research institute combining mathematics, theoretical physics, and astrophysics — explicitly listed as a core partner of iTHEMS and operates with the same interdisciplinary-theoretical mandate and English-language research culture.
• Fields Institute: Canadian independent research institute for mathematical sciences with a workshop-and-visitor model; comparable to iTHEMS in pure and applied mathematical sciences, postdoctoral and visiting scholar programs, and international outlook.
• Max Planck Institute for Mathematics (Bonn): Germany's premier pure mathematics research institute under the Max Planck Society; comparable to iTHEMS in its focus on pure mathematical sciences, postdoctoral and visitor programs, and partnership-based international collaboration.
• Simons Foundation / Flatiron Institute: US private foundation operating the Flatiron Institute's Center for Computational Mathematics and Center for Computational Astrophysics — directly comparable to iTHEMS in combining mathematical/computational sciences with astrophysics, and using private/philanthropic funding.

Broad incumbents

• RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing (RQC): Sibling RIKEN center explicitly partnered with iTHEMS on the May 2026 Quantum-HPC Integration Workshop; broader portfolio of applied quantum hardware and algorithms, while iTHEMS contributes theoretical/computational perspectives — overlapping mandate at the quantum-computing frontier.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences