2023 Research Leaders: Leading academic institutions

The 2023 Research Leaders are based on Nature Index data from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.

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# Institution Share 2022 Count 2022
1 The University of Tokyo (UTokyo), Japan 398.90 1172
2 Kyoto University, Japan 257.30 684
3 Osaka University, Japan 171.71 513
4 Tohoku University, Japan 145.11 534
5 Hokkaido University, Japan 114.18 284
6 Nagoya University, Japan 107.61 364
7 Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), Japan 107.15 325
8 Kyushu University, Japan 87.63 288
9 Keio University, Japan 49.55 160
10 University of Tsukuba, Japan 44.17 230
11 Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), Japan 38.74 83
12 Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU), Japan 36.95 123
13 Kanazawa University (KU), Japan 33.79 104
14 Hiroshima University (HU), Japan 26.70 152
15 Okayama University, Japan 25.11 78
16 Chiba University, Japan 24.78 94
17 Waseda University, Japan 24.75 99
18 Kobe University, Japan 23.93 132
19 Kumamoto University, Japan 22.64 76
20 Nagoya Institute of Technology (NITech), Japan 18.33 32
21 Shinshu University (SU), Japan 17.81 84
22 The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Japan 17.21 139
23 Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan 17.04 59
24 Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan 15.02 77
25 Niigata University, Japan 13.57 87
26 Yokohama City University (YCU), Japan 12.57 66
27 Gifu University, Japan 12.51 46
28 Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Japan 12.32 30
29 Juntendo University, Japan 11.90 57
30 Tokushima University, Japan 11.62 33
31 Kindai University, Japan 11.31 54
32 Ritsumeikan University, Japan 10.91 40
33 University of Yamanashi, Japan 10.67 29
34 Ehime University, Japan 9.57 46
35 The University of Electro-Communications (UEC), Japan 9.43 24
36 Yokohama National University (YNU), Japan 9.38 28
37 Yamaguchi University, Japan 9.08 24
38 Jichi Medical University, Japan 8.70 31
39 Gunma University, Japan 8.56 33
40 Nagasaki University, Japan 8.31 45
41 Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan 8.13 29
42 Ibaraki University, Japan 8.04 42
43 Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU), Japan 8.03 46
44 University of Toyama, Japan 7.97 24
45 Gakushuin University, Japan 7.97 12
46 Saitama University, Japan 7.35 18
47 Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Japan 7.15 13
48 Rikkyo University, Japan 6.86 29
49 Shizuoka University, Japan 6.75 20
50 Konan University, Japan 6.58 15
51 The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan 6.26 26
52 Chubu University, Japan 6.20 16
53 The Kitasato Institute, Japan 6.07 44
54 Nagoya City University, Japan 5.84 34
55 University of Hyogo, Japan 5.80 26
56 Chuo University, Japan 5.71 23
57 Doshisha University, Japan 5.59 16
58 Kyoto Institute of Technology (KIT), Japan 5.52 11
59 Yamagata University, Japan 5.43 43
60 Tottori University, Japan 5.07 13
61 Tokai University, Japan 5.05 32
62 Nihon University, Japan 4.87 39
63 Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan 4.80 19
64 Wakayama Medical University, Japan 4.45 19
65 Mie University, Japan 4.39 21
66 Toho University, Japan 4.26 31
67 Fujita Health University, Japan 3.85 25
68 Gifu Pharmaceutical University (GPU), Japan 3.81 6
69 Saitama Medical University (SMU), Japan 3.77 20
70 National Defense Academy of Japan (NDA), Japan 3.76 12
71 University of Shizuoka, Japan 3.61 13
72 Kyoto Sangyo University, Japan 3.51 13
73 Kansai University, Japan 3.49 10
74 University of Fukui, Japan 3.45 16
75 Showa Pharmaceutical University, Japan 3.40 16
76 Kanagawa University, Japan 3.36 16
77 Kurume University, Japan 3.34 24
78 Hirosaki University, Japan 3.21 17
79 Meiji University, Japan 3.19 11
80 Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan 3.18 12
81 Nippon Medical School, Japan 3.09 28
82 Toyota Technological Institute (TTI), Japan 3.04 13
83 Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (KPUM), Japan 3.00 18
84 Shimane University, Japan 2.93 9
85 Kochi University of Technology, Japan 2.93 7
86 Meijo University, Japan 2.87 5
87 Saga University, Japan 2.70 18
88 University of Miyazaki, Japan 2.65 22
89 Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan 2.64 13
90 Fukuoka University, Japan 2.51 10
91 Dokkyo Medical University, Japan 2.50 11
92 Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan 2.50 6
93 Tokyo University of Technology (TUT), Japan 2.46 4
94 Fukushima Medical University (FMU), Japan 2.45 20
95 Nara Medical University, Japan 2.40 16
96 Kagoshima University, Japan 2.39 25
97 Teikyo University, Japan 2.29 11
98 Okayama University of Science, Japan 2.20 9
99 University of the Ryukyus, Japan 2.17 16
100 Akita University, Japan 2.04 9
101 Mukogawa Women's University, Japan 2.00 2
102 Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan 1.97 15
103 Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences (TUPLS), Japan 1.92 9
104 Showa University, Japan 1.91 16
105 Kagawa University, Japan 1.90 8
106 Tokyo Women's Medical University (TWMU), Japan 1.89 17
107 Ryukoku University, Japan 1.82 8
108 Seikei Gakuen, Japan 1.79 3
109 Tokyo Medical University, Japan 1.75 18
110 Kyorin University, Japan 1.75 15
111 Kochi University, Japan 1.65 16
112 Hoshi University, Japan 1.65 4
113 Sophia University, Japan 1.62 6
114 University of Occupational and Environmental Health (UOEH), Japan 1.62 17
115 Iwate Medical University, Japan 1.52 11
116 Saitama Institute of Technology, Japan 1.50 3
117 Oita University, Japan 1.48 13
118 St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan 1.34 13
119 Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan 1.29 2
120 Aichi Medical University, Japan 1.28 9
121 Toyama Prefectural University, Japan 1.26 7
122 Hyogo Medical University, Japan 1.25 11
123 Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), Japan 1.23 5
124 Fukushima University, Japan 1.21 5
125 Tokyo Gakugei University (TGU), Japan 1.20 3
126 Tokushima Bunri University, Japan 1.20 4
127 International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW), Japan 1.19 18
128 Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan 1.17 12
129 Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan 1.14 7
130 Shiga University of Medical Science (SUMS), Japan 1.12 13
131 Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Japan 1.08 3
132 Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Japan 1.06 3
133 Wakayama University, Japan 1.05 2
134 Iwate University, Japan 1.02 11
135 Chiba Institute of Technology, Japan 1.01 13
136 Ochanomizu University, Japan 1.01 32
137 Matsumoto University, Japan 1.00 1
137 Hokkai-Gakuen University, Japan 1.00 1
137 Meiji Gakuin University, Japan 1.00 2
138 National Defense Medical College, Japan 0.92 8
139 Aichi Gakuin University (AGU), Japan 0.91 2
140 Akita Prefectural University, Japan 0.91 5
141 Musashino University, Japan 0.87 3
142 Utsunomiya University, Japan 0.86 6
143 The University of Shiga Prefecture, Japan 0.84 4
144 Akita International University, Japan 0.83 3
145 Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT), Japan 0.80 2
146 Aichi Institute of Technology (AIT), Japan 0.75 3
147 Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech), Japan 0.74 8
148 Hosei University, Japan 0.72 4
149 Kogakuin University, Japan 0.70 14
150 Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Japan 0.68 2
151 Toin University of Yokohama, Japan 0.67 1
152 Sapporo Medical University, Japan 0.67 7
153 Tokyo Denki University, Japan 0.67 7
154 National Institute of Technology, Fukushima College, Japan 0.64 2
155 Kyoto University of Advanced Science, Japan 0.62 4
156 Suzuka University of Medical Science (SUMS), Japan 0.60 1
157 Kyushu Sangyo University, Japan 0.60 3
158 National Institute of Technology, Numazu College, Japan 0.58 3
159 Japan University of Health Sciences, Japan 0.57 1
160 Daido University, Japan 0.53 4
161 Kanazawa Medical University, Japan 0.49 8
162 Osaka Ohtani University, Japan 0.47 2
163 Tokyo Woman's Christian University, Japan 0.45 2
163 National Institute of Technology, Tsuruoka College, Japan 0.45 2
164 Kansai Medical University (KMU), Japan 0.45 8
165 St. Luke's International University, Japan 0.44 3
166 National Institute of Technology, Ibaraki College, Japan 0.43 5
167 National Institute of Technology, Kurume College, Japan 0.41 2
168 Kurume Institute of Technology, Japan 0.40 5
169 Asahikawa Medical University, Japan 0.40 5
170 Tokyo City University, Japan 0.39 5
171 Rakuno Gakuen University (RGU), Japan 0.37 3
172 National Institute of Technology, Miyakonojo College, Japan 0.36 1
173 The University of Aizu, Japan 0.36 7
174 Muroran Institute of Technology, Japan 0.35 5
175 Osaka Electro-Communication University (OECU), Japan 0.33 1
175 Josai University Educational Corporation, Japan 0.33 2
175 Shokei Gakuen, Japan 0.33 1
175 University of Kitakyushu, Japan 0.33 1
175 National Institute of Technology, Ube College, Japan 0.33 1
176 Kawasaki Medical University, Japan 0.33 3
177 Nara Women's University (NWU), Japan 0.32 32
178 Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT), Japan 0.31 3
179 Hiroshima City University (HCU), Japan 0.29 3
180 Japan Women's University, Japan 0.28 2
181 Prefectural University of Kumamoto (PUK), Japan 0.27 2
182 Hiroshima Institute of Technology, Japan 0.25 3
183 Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University (NVLU), Japan 0.25 2
184 Fukuoka Institute of Technology (FIT), Japan 0.25 1
184 National Institute of Technology, Suzuka College, Japan 0.25 1
184 Meteorological College, JMA, Japan 0.25 1
184 National Institute of Technology, Toyama College, Japan 0.25 1
185 Tokyo Dental College, Japan 0.23 2
186 Sanyo-Onoda City University, Japan 0.21 1
187 Ishikawa Prefectural University, Japan 0.21 4
188 Toyo University, Japan 0.21 5
189 Naruto University of Education, Japan 0.20 1
189 Ashikaga University, Japan 0.20 1
189 Fukui Prefectural University, Japan 0.20 1
189 Niigata Agro-Food University, Japan 0.20 1
189 National Institute of Technology, Sendai College, Japan 0.20 1
190 Niigata Institute of Technology, Japan 0.19 2
190 Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Japan 0.19 2
190 Setsunan University, Japan 0.19 2
191 Division of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Japan 0.18 1
191 National Institute of Technology, Kagoshima College, Japan 0.18 1
192 Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University (TMPU), Japan 0.17 1
192 Kobe Gakuin University, Japan 0.17 1
192 Toyohashi Sozo University, Japan 0.17 1
192 Soka University, Japan 0.17 1
192 Kobe City College of Technology, Japan 0.17 2
192 Salesian Polytechnic, Japan 0.17 1
193 Sapporo University of Health Sciences, Japan 0.14 1
193 Meisei Gakuen, Japan 0.14 1
193 Gifu University of Health Science, Japan 0.14 1
193 Kyoto Prefectural University, Japan 0.14 1
193 Nagano University of Health and Medicine, Japan 0.14 1
193 Nagasaki International University, Japan 0.14 1
194 Gifu University of Medical Science, Japan 0.13 2
195 Aomori University, Japan 0.13 1
195 Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan 0.13 1
195 Showa Women's University (SWU), Japan 0.13 1
195 Fukuyama University, Japan 0.13 1
196 Kyoto University of Education, Japan 0.12 26
197 Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan 0.12 4
198 Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Japan 0.11 1
198 Miyagi University of Education, Japan 0.11 1
198 Matsumoto Dental University (MDU), Japan 0.11 1
198 The Open University of Japan, Japan 0.11 2
198 J. F. Oberlin University, Japan 0.11 1
199 The Nippon Dental University, Japan 0.11 10
200 Tsurumi University, Japan 0.10 2
201 Tezukayama University, Japan 0.10 1
201 Okayama Prefectural University, Japan 0.10 1
201 Otemae College of Nutrition, Japan 0.10 1
202 National Institute of Technology, Niihama College, Japan 0.10 2
203 Tamagawa University, Japan 0.09 2
204 Tokyo Polytechnic University (TPU), Japan 0.09 1
204 Gakushuin Women's College, Japan 0.09 1
204 Niigata College of Nursing, Japan 0.09 1
205 Kanagawa Institute of Technology, Japan 0.09 8
206 Future University Hakodate, Japan 0.08 1
206 Otemon Gakuin University, Japan 0.08 1
206 Gunma Paz University, Japan 0.08 1
206 Tsuda University, Japan 0.08 1
206 Daiichi University of Pharmacy (DUP), Japan 0.08 1
206 Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Japan 0.08 1
207 National Institute of Technology, Tokuyama College, Japan 0.08 1
207 Okinawa University, Japan 0.08 1
207 National Institute of Technology, Kushiro College, Japan 0.08 1
207 Sojo University, Japan 0.08 1
208 Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science, Japan 0.08 23
209 Jikei University of Health Care Sciences, Japan 0.07 1
209 Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, Japan 0.07 1
209 National Institute of Technology, Wakayama College, Japan 0.07 1
209 Keiyukai Sapporo Hospital, Japan 0.07 1
209 National Institute of Technology, Akashi College, Japan 0.07 1
209 Meio University, Japan 0.07 1
209 Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences (NUPALS), Japan 0.07 1
210 Tokai Gakuin University, Japan 0.07 1
211 Yamazaki University of Animal Health Technology, Japan 0.07 2
212 Joetsu University of Education, Japan 0.06 1
212 National Institute of Technology, Toba College, Japan 0.06 1
212 Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Japan 0.06 1
212 Azabu University, Japan 0.06 1
212 Shikoku Gakuin University, Japan 0.06 1
212 Miyagi University, Japan 0.06 1
213 Asahi University, Japan 0.06 1
213 Higashi Chikushi Junior College, Japan 0.06 1
214 Niigata University of Health and Welfare (NUHW), Japan 0.06 1
214 Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan 0.06 1
215 Shubun University, Japan 0.05 1
215 Senshu University, Japan 0.05 1
215 Daito Bunka University, Japan 0.05 1
216 Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences (IPU), Japan 0.05 1
216 Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Japan 0.05 1
217 Teikyo Heisei University, Japan 0.05 1
217 Tokoha University, Japan 0.05 1
217 Otemae University, Japan 0.05 1
217 Kanagawa Dental University, Japan 0.05 1
218 Meiji University of Integrative Medicine, Japan 0.05 1
219 Saitama Prefectural University, Japan 0.04 1
219 Hokkaido University of Education, Japan 0.04 1
220 Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University, Japan 0.04 1
221 Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology (TMCIT), Japan 0.04 1
222 Fukuoka Dental College, Japan 0.03 2
223 Fukui University of Technology, Japan 0.03 1
224 Matsuyama University, Japan 0.03 1
225 Kokugakuin Kugayama High School, Japan 0.03 1
226 International Christian University (ICU), Japan 0.03 2
227 Meirin College, Japan 0.02 1
228 Hokusho University, Japan 0.02 1
229 Kiryu University, Japan 0.02 1
230 National Institute of Technology, Hachinohe College, Japan 0.02 10
231 Shirayuri University, Japan 0.02 1
232 Tohoku Gakuin University, Japan 0.01 1
233 Osaka Kyoiku University, Japan 0.01 1
234 Butsuryo College of Osaka, Japan 0.00 1
235 Aichi University of Education, Japan 0.00 1
236 National Institute of Technology, Kure College, Japan 0.00 2
237 National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, Japan 0.00 1

Footnote

Each year, the Nature Index publishes tables based on counts of high-quality research outputs in the previous calendar year. Users please note:

  1. The data behind the tables are based on a relatively small proportion of total research papers, they cover the natural sciences and health sciences only and outputs are non-normalized (that is, they don’t reflect the size of the country or institution, or its overall research output).
  2. The Nature Index is one indicator of institutional research performance. The metrics of Count and Share used to order Nature Index listings are based on an institution’s or country’s publication output in 145 natural-science and health-science journals. The journals were selected on reputation by an independent panel of leading scientists in their fields. The list is reviewed periodically and journals may be removed or added. Articles from eLife were no longer included in the Nature Index from 2023 after the journal changed its publishing model.
  3. Nature Index recognizes that many other factors must be taken into account when considering research quality and institutional performance; Nature Index metrics alone should not be used to assess institutions or individuals.
  4. Nature Index data and methods are transparent and available under a creative commons licence at nature.com/nature-index/.
  5. Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The Nature Index database undergoes regular updating, corrections, adjustment of institutional hierarchies, and removal of retracted papers and thus the live website can differ from the frozen research leaders.


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