ABSTRACT
The end of World War I in 1918 transformed the Japanese physics community in many ways. First of all, the Great War taught the Japanese that basic science research could improve not only science, medicine, and engineering but also contribute to a nation’s economic development and national security. In 1917, to foster basic research in physics and chemistry specifically, Japan founded the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (Riken). In 1920, Japan demonstrated its new commitment to basic research and the “growing independence of Japanese science” by establishing a National Research Council.2
