Overview Report: Nanotechnology/Materials Research Field

Executive Summary

The nanotechnology/materials research field is a foundational domain built upon nanoscience, which explores the structure and functions of matter at the nanometer scale. By leveraging fundamental technologies such as measurement, synthesis, and simulation, this field drives the development of "materials and devices" that support a wide range of human activities. Application spans energy, environment, healthcare, medical treatment, information and communication, social infrastructure, making a broad impact across industries. Furthermore, the field is expected to contribute to solving social challenges through innovation, including climate change mitigation, enhancing social safety and resilience, and promoting individual well-being.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, this field is increasingly called upon to address pressing issues such as climate change, land use transformation, biodiversity loss, and chemical pollution. While "Carbon Neutral by 2050" has become a global goal, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. Additionally, due to the rise in global resource consumption, a transition to "Circular Economy", which aims the sustainable use of resources, is urgently needed. These challenges demand urgent innovation within this field.

Additionally, the rapid advancement and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in society and industry highlights the need for sustainable development of data centers that support large-scale learning and processing. Issues such as limited computing power and excessive electricity and water usage are becoming global concerns. Addressing these requires the development of advanced semiconductors and communication devices for the foundation of the next generation AI.

In the face of aging in developed countries and global health issues, the demand for diverse and sophisticated medical and healthcare technologies is growing. Particularly in Japan, where the population is both shrinking and aging, technologies for disease prevention and health promotion are essential to sustain economic and social productivity.

Alongside these global challenges, there is a growing political emphasis on national and regional interests, driven by changes of security environment and aspects of economic security. To ensure supply chain autonomy and secure important technologies, efforts are underway to identify and invest in crucial technologies, while protecting technological and information security.

This report outlines the research and development (R&D) trends in the nanotechnology/materials research field, organized into seven semantic segments: "Energy and Environment", "Life Science and Medical Applications", "ICT electronics", "Social Infrastructure", "Design and Control of Materials and Functions", "Fundamental Technologies," and "Governance for Social Implementation." These segments are further divided into 30 disciplines.

A major global R&D trend focuses on technologies that support the sustainable development of society. For example, to achieve carbon neutrality, progress has been made in energy conversion and storage technologies (such as solar power generation, batteries, and water electrolysis) alongside CO2 capture and energy-saving innovations in various devices and systems including logic integrated circuits, AI chips, power semiconductors, motor magnets, chemical processes. From a perspective of resource recycling, efforts are focused on recovering valuable materials from unused resources and end-of-life products, recycling various materials and devices (such as solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, alloys, composites, rare-earth magnets, polymers, etc.), promoting designs that facilitate disassembly and degradation, and exploring diverse recycling pathways (reuse, repair, remanufacturing). Recent trends also include the development of sustainability evaluation methods and indicators, as well as the use of information disclosure and regulatory frameworks.

Secondly, from the standpoint of economic security, there is a growing momentum to secure essential supply chains and crucial technologies. Public and private sectors are actively investing in energy infrastructure (such as batteries and power transmission grids) and in semiconductors that underpin next-generation information, communication, and AI technologies. Quantum technologies, which promise to transform conventional computing and communication, are also intensively invested. Additionally, technologies aimed at reducing, recycling, and substituting rare and regionally concentrated natural resources are gaining importance.

The third key trend is the integration of data science and AI into materials and device development. Alongside advancements in microfabrication processes, atomic/molecular scale measurement, and simulation technologies, AI-driven data analysis and automation are becoming increasingly prominent. Data- or AI-based approaches for exploring and enhancing material properties are emerging as potential game-changers in materials R&D. Countries are building new research infrastructures, including AI-powered simulation, high-throughput and autonomous experiments using AI and robotics, and data platforms for collecting and utilizing research data. Such developments are beginning to directly influence industrial competitiveness.

Amid such global trends, Japan maintains a high standard in R&D, supported by a strong foundation of expertise and research ability in material creation, processing, and measurement, based on years of accumulation. The availability of world-class research infrastructures such as synchrotron radiation facilities, the Advanced Research Infrastructure for Materials (ARIM), supercomputers, and shared computational environments is also considered a strong point. However, challenges exist, including a relative decline in Japan's global presence due to the rise of countries like China, South Korea, and India, and difficulties in translating basic research strengths into applied research and commercialization.

Active investments are being made in energy and advanced semiconductor R&D. Comprehensive strategies are implemented to enhance the overall system, covering from foundational technologies to manufacturing equipment, processes, and human resource development. Nonetheless, there remain challenges in scaling the R&D outcomes into commercial applications.

In emerging fields such as quantum computing, quantum communication, and data-driven material development, Japan is actively investing and building infrastructure, including the expansion of "quantum technology innovation hubs" and the establishment of the "Materials Research DX Platform." While these areas show rapid growth globally, Japan maintains a notable presence in these developments.

On the other hand, a lack of cross-disciplinary collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders remains a weakness. For example, integration between materials science and life science--such as in the development of environmentally friendly materials or new medical technologies--has long suffered from limited interaction, bridging, and educational opportunities. From the perspective of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), Japan also lags in areas such as safety and sustainability evaluation, standardization, and strategic regulatory development, where countries like those in Europe are taking the lead.

Considering both socio-economic and the R&D trends in this field, nine key R&D themes have been identified for Japan to prioritize in the future. These themes were selected based on three criteria:

1. Contribution to sustainable development of society and solving social issues

2. Strategic investment in emerging trends in science and technology

3. Strengthening industrial competitiveness and ensuring economic security

The nine themes are:

1. Advanced energy and material conversion/storage technologies for carbon neutrality

2. Sensing and medical materials to promote individual well-being

3. Next-generation semiconductor materials and device technologies supporting AI infrastructure

4. Technologies leveraging quantum-specific properties to transform communication and information processing

5. Materials and devices enhancing infrastructure reliability and convenience

6. Exploration of frontier functional materials

7. Materials and processes enabling sustainable resource utilization

8. AI-driven materials research and development

9. Prospective evaluation and strategic design for the sustainability of materials and manufacturing

To support these R&D efforts, the Materials Research DX Platform promoted by MEXT is steadily progressing. As a part of this platform, ARIM launched the "Semiconductor Infrastructure Platform (ARIM-SETI)" in July 2025. Expectations are growing for broader data sharing and utilization, international collaboration, and the expansion of practical case studies.

In terms of human resource development, it is essential to align strategies between academia and industry within Japan, while also considering economic security and promoting international cooperation. Building a diverse and long-term talent pool is critical for ensuring continuous innovation in this field.

Source: Center for Research and Development Strategy (CRDS) / Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)