Director
Hidetoshi FUJII

 The Joining and Welding Research Institute (JWRI) was formally established in 1972 as the Welding Research Institute based on the recommendation of the Science Council of Japan to meet academic and industrial requirements. Since then, our institute has actively promoted both fundamental and applied research and has become the only institute in Japan, and the world’s leading institute, in the field of welding and joining. The institute was reorganized into the “JWRI” in 1996 to meet the increasing demand for “joining” in industry, because of the diversification required by the trend towards globalization in manufacturing, and in response to scientific and technological progress. Furthermore, in 2009, the JWRI was recognized as a Joint Usage/Research Center by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The JWRI celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022.

 At the JWRI, three research divisions for fundamental and applied research—namely “Materials Joining Process”, “Materials Joining Mechanism” and “Materials Joining Assessment” has an overwhelming strength of “Joining Science” and conduct its fundamental research, while the “Research Center for Additive Joining Application (RAJA)” serves as the next-generation AM center, exploring the future of AM (3D printing). The three research divisions and the center, while demonstrating their individual expertise, work closely together to contribute to human society by creating innovations in Joining and Welding Science. Also, as the Joint Usage/Research Center on Joining & Welding, the JWRI accepts “Joint Research Collaborators” numbering more than 200 professors and researchers annually from about 80 universities and public research institutes in Japan and has further established the “JWRI International Joint Research Collaborator (JIJReC)” program to expand its research activities into global collaboration. From the viewpoint of education and development of personnel, generally 100 graduate students and undergraduates who belong to the Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University, study at the JWRI every year.

 he Design & Engineering by Joint Inverse Innovation for Materials Architecture Project (DEJI²MA), which launched in 2021 with support from MEXT, is designed to address diverse social demands and global issues at "Core Dejima". We will accelerate innovation through "Multi-Dejima" that transcends the boundaries of six universities and six research institutes. By bringing together the strengths (seeds) of six research institutes, we will respond to the needs of companies and other organizations and speed up social implementation.

 The JWRI has a framework of quick decision-making and can readily react to and meet current demands. It is important to reform the institute in line with the times while preserving its unique characteristics. For example, in the last fiscal year, the Building No. 1 of the Research Center for Additive Joining Application (RAJA) was extensively renovated and converted into an open laboratory, which enables us to conduct a large-scale national project and collaborate with the Japan Welding Engineering Society. Two universities (research institutes) were selected for a large-scale project of Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). We are determined to lead Japan and the world in this field more than ever by utilizing our research capabilities, which have led the technology for over 30 years, and by collaborating with the Kagami Memorial Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology at Waseda University, which conducts AM for molds. In addition, we have established an AM platform in cooperation with the Japan Welding Engineering Society. This platform serves as the only global certified (educational) organization in Japan, which integrates database construction, standards, and certification related to AM. In order to improve our country's national strength, it is essential to cooperate with companies and neutral organizations engaged in these fields. We would appreciate your cooperation in this regard.　

 One of the JWRI’s main features is conducting active collaboration with industry under the “tradition of practical science” in the Osaka University Charter. The JWRI promotes collaborations with private companies and currently accepts the provision of three Research Alliance Laboratories and one Joint Research Chair funded by private companies. We are proud that companies representing their respective fields have established collaborative laboratories such as DAIHEN Welding and Joining Research Alliance Laboratories, Nippon Steel Future Manufacturing Research Alliance Laboratories, and Honda-Osaka Univ. Joining Technology Monozukuri Research Alliance Laboratories.

 In this way, our research institute has benefited from an overwhelming number of collaborative laboratories and joint research departments for its size, and the New Normal Manufacturing Consortium Office, with a full-time professor as the director, organically links these collaborative research institutes and joint research departments to promote research and development in an industry-industry-academia system.

 Last year, we renovated the　Building No. 1 of the Research Center for Additive Joining Application (RAJA) with the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and this year, we will renovate the　Building No. 2 of RAJA with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). In addition to AM (3D printing), we plan to conduct research on joint integration and separation and lunar city development in the Building No. 2.

 The JWRI will perform research that is relevant to the demands of society in the 21st century and also to the vision of a successful global society in the 22nd century. Our staff will make continuous efforts to achieve the present and future targets. The JWRI will play an important role in contributing to the sustainable growth of society through technological innovations in Joining and Welding Science.

 We appreciate your continued support and encouragement.
                            FUJII Hidetoshi
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