Among the International Science Olympiads in which junior and senior high school students participate from all over the world, JST has supported competitions in seven subjects: mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, information, earth science, and geography. In 2023, Japan hosted the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) for the first time and the 64th International Mathematics Olympiad for the second time in 20 years.

The 53rd International Physics Olympiad gathered 393 students from 81 countries and regions at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Shibuya, Tokyo, from July 10 to 17, 2023. On the basis of their scores, five Japanese representatives were chosen from among 1354 applicants for the 18th National Physics Challenge 2022. They challenged theoretical and experimental exams containing three and two questions, respectively, and each exam taking five hours for two days.

The gold medal was given to approximately top 8% of participants, and the next 17% received a silver medal. The Japanese team achieved excellent results, securing two gold and three silver medals. During the eight-day session, the representatives of countries not only tried out for exams but also participated in various events like excursions and cultural experiences to understand Japanese culture and deepen international exchanges with students and organizers from other countries.

Gold medalist Kotaro Imamura, a student at Otemae Marugame High School (Marugame city, Kagawa Prefecture), who also won the bronze medal at the Physics Challenge 2022, said, “It was a great experience to talk about physics and science with top-level students from overseas and get to know each other. Although I have felt that communication in English was difficult, I would like to continue studying it to be active in the world.”