Nature Index 2016 Japan

Research breakthroughs are a global pursuit, and while there is healthy rivalry between nations, Japan and its strongest competitors are increasingly joining forces.

Japan's quest to retain its status as a global research leader by enticing foreign students and faculty is the right response, say observers, but efforts are yet to have an impact.

In most of the past 15 years, Japanese scientists have been named Nobel Laureates for work in chemistry and physics, but illustrious awards may be harder to come by in the next era.

The rising stars on Japan's research landscape include traditional big-hitters and newer institutions selected for initiatives to boost their global standing and promote autonomy.

Japan's institutions are increasingly joining huge collaborative research efforts, realizing that, on the big questions facing science, a problem shared is a problem halved.

A description of the terminology and methodology used in this supplement, and a guide to the functionality available free online at nature.com/nature-index/.