In 1960, many physiologists affiliated with the Physiological Society of Japan initiated a discussion on how to establish a central research institute for physiological sciences in this country.
In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the life sciences throughout the world, particularly in the fields of molecular biology, cellular biology and physiology, and in areas concerning information processing and regulatory systems of higher animals. In view of these developments, there was a consensus among physiologists in Japan that a new type of research organization must be created, in parallel with the laboratories in universities, to pursue new approaches in the life sciences.
Through discussions among the physiologists, the following characteristies of such a new institute were considered to be of utmost importance.
Nov, 1967
The Science Council of Japan officially advised the then Prime Minister, SATO Eisaku, that the establishment of an institute for Physiological Sciences was important, and urgently necessary for the promotion of life sciences in Japan.
The Science Council of the Monbusho (the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture) reported to the Minister of Education, Science and Culture that two institutes for scientific research of biological sciences, namely, the Institute for Physiological Sciences and the Institute for Basic Biology, should be established as early as possible.
May, 1976
The Preparing Office and the Research Council for the establishment of Institutes for Biological Sciences were opened in the Monbusho.
May, 1977
The Institute for Physiological Sciences (Director-General: Prof. UCHIZONO K.) was officially established which, together with the Institute for Basic Biology, constituted the National Center for Biological Sciences (President: Prof. KATSUKI Y.). Constituents of the Institute for Physiological Sciences at the time of inauguration were as follows.
April, 1978
In the second year the following laboratories were added:
April, 1979
In the third year the following laboratories were added:
April, 1980
The following were added in the fourth year:
April, 1981
A new organization, Okazaki National Research Institutes, comprised of three independent institutes (Institute for Molecular Science, Institute for Physiological Sciences, and Institute for Basic Biology) was established.
Previously, these institutes had been managed independently. However, on 14 April 1981, they were administratively amalgamated into one organization, and thereafter referred to collectively as the Okazaki National Research Institutes.
April, 1982
The following was added:
April, 1984
The following was added:
April, 1985
Prof. EBASHI S. was elected the Director-General of the Institute.
Octo, 1988
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies was founded and in the Institute the School of Life Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences was established.
June, 1990
The following were added:
Dec, 1991
Prof. HAMA K. was elected the Director-General of the Institute.
April, 1997
Prof. SASAKI K. was elected the Director-General of the Institute.
April, 1998
The following were added:
A part of facilities in the complex of Physiological Research Facilities was reformed to the Center for Brain Experiment.
April, 2000
Division of Experimental Animals was transferred to the Research Facilities as shown below.
Center for Integrative Bioscience
Research Center for Computational Science
Center for Experimental Animals
Center for Radioisotope Facilities
April, 2003
Prof. MIZUNO N. was elected the Director-General of the Institute.
The following were added:
April, 2004
Established National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS).
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB), National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) and Institute for Molecular Science (IMS) were integrated and reorganized into NINS by reason of enforcement of the National University Corporation Law.
In NIPS, Division of Neurochemistry in Department of Molecular Physiology was renamed to Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Division of Humoral Information in Department of Information Physiology was renamed to Division of Neural Signaling, Department of Biological Control System was renamed to Department of Integrative Physiology, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience was renamed to Division of Computational Neuroscience, and Center for Integrative Bioscience was renamed to Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, respectively.
The Administration Bureau turned into Okazaki Administration Office of NINS.
Nov, 2005
Division of Neurobiology and Behavioral Genetics was reformed to the Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior.
April, 2007
Prof. OKADA Y. was elected the Director-General of the Institute.
The following were added:
April, 2008
Division of Active Transport in Department of Cell Physiology was renamed to Division of Neural Systematics.
The following were abolished:
The following were added:
April, 2009
Division of Intracellular Metabolism was abolished.
Asterisk (*) denotes adjunct divisions.