Interview Notes

At the Nuclear Structure Research Group of the Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science (RIKEN), a collaborative research exchange project is underway together with young researchers from National University of Malaysia (UKM)  and University of Science Malaysia (USM). The goal is to strengthen the foundation for international collaboration that will drive the development of green technology in Malaysia. By combining Japan’s world-class large-scale facilities—such as particle accelerators and supercomputers—with Malaysia’s expertise in materials informatics*, the project aims to create recycling-based energy storage materials utilizing locally sourced agricultural waste (such as palm residues), thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

*Materials Informatics:
An approach that leverages information science techniques such as machine learning and generative AI to improve the efficiency of developing various types of materials, including organic, inorganic, and metallic substances.

Launched in December 2024, this project has so far deepened mutual understanding through planned remote meetings, accelerating the development of concrete joint research strategies. In April 2025, five out of the ten participating Malaysian researchers visited Japan. Led by Senior Research Scientist Dr. WATANABE Isao, the principal implementor on the Japanese side, together with Japanese researchers such as Assistant Professor Dr. TANIGUCHI Takanori and Dr. UMEMOTO Yoshihiko from the Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, the team visited domestic supercomputers and large accelerator facilities to learn about data collection and analysis methods.

On the day of the interview, we were able to meet three researchers from UKM in person.

Dr. Nurul Asikin Binti Mijan, visiting Japan for the first time, spoke with excitement about her initial experience with cutting-edge equipment such as supercomputers and advanced material analysis devices, expressing her strong desire to see such technologies introduced in Malaysia. Dr. Lam Su Datt reported that, as a result of his visit, he obtained promising results confirming that chicken feathers—abundantly discarded in Malaysia—can be transformed into heat-storage materials, a finding with great potential for future development.

Dr. Wan Nurfadhilah Binti Zaharim, the project’s principal implementer on the Malaysian side, has been collaborating with Dr. WATANABE for about ten years, a relationship that began when Watanabe took interest in a research paper related to his own work. For the past two years, she has led the Malaysian side of the “Sakura Science Program” at RIKEN, selecting and supervising outstanding university students, graduate students, and young researchers participating in the program. She shared how many “Sakura alumni” now aspire to return to Japan as international students or researchers, applying themselves even more diligently after their experience abroad. She emphasized that strengthening the “talent circulation” and sustainable research cooperation between Japan and ASEAN depends on how well young talents are nurtured academically, highlighting the critical role played by both the Sakura Science Program and Y-tec.

Dr. WATANABE commented, “Japan and ASEAN countries differ greatly not only in cultural aspects but also in educational systems and ways of thinking. While Japanese students have easy access to academic papers, such access is extremely difficult in ASEAN countries. Moreover, undergraduates in ASEAN often lack hands-on experimental training. The gap is real, but understanding it is important. Their passion and drive—their ‘I want to do this!’ spirit—is truly impressive and often surpasses that of Japanese students.”

When asked about the challenges of adapting to the research environment in Japan, all Malaysian researchers responded, “The research style, discipline, and ethics here are quite different from Malaysia, but these differences represent new discoveries rather than difficulties.” Their positive attitude and enjoyment of international research collaboration left a strong impression.

Remarkably, seven out of the ten Malaysian researchers participating in this project are women. Over the past decade, the proportion of female students and faculty members at Malaysian universities has rapidly increased, now accounting for about 70%. While this may be surprising to Japanese researchers, the Malaysian side finds it curious that female researchers are still rare in Japan.

On May 12, Japanese researchers are scheduled to visit Malaysia. The project’s ultimate goal is to form a “unique group of young researchers” that will support the growth of green technology. We look forward to seeing further developments in the future.