#Japan #Tokyo #AI for Science #Upstage #Syn Pro

AI Revolutionizing Scientific Research in Japan

On November 10, 2025, a groundbreaking project known as AI for Science kicked off, spearheaded by Upstage, in collaboration with The University of Tokyo and Karakuri Co., Ltd. This ambitious initiative aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technology to support and transform the scientific research process. The primary goals are to expedite data analysis, enhance inferential capabilities, and improve the efficiency of knowledge discovery for researchers.

Japan has long stood at the forefront of fields such as physics, materials science, and medicine, and this initiative is dedicated to perpetuating and evolving that legacy into the age of AI. The project aspires to ensure that Japan remains a leader in data-driven intellectual discovery on the global stage. Central to this project is Syn Pro, a state-of-the-art language model co-developed by Upstage and Karakuri. The model excels in Japanese language performance, ranking first among domestic models and placing in the top 20 globally on the Nejumi Leaderboard operated by Weights & Biases.

Tackling New Challenges in Research

The data landscape in scientific research has been rapidly expanding and diversifying, making it increasingly difficult to extract valuable insights from the vast amounts of information available. Many existing systems struggle to interpret unstructured data such as graphs and charts, which complicates the evaluation of data quality. This limitation hinders the efficiency of analyzing, verifying, and sharing research results, ultimately leading to missed opportunities for industrial innovation in Japan. The collaboration between these three parties seeks to leverage their strengths to address these challenges head-on.

• - Upstage will utilize large-scale language model (LLM) and Document Parse technology to enable advanced information extraction and feature analysis within research data.
• - Professor Okada from The University of Tokyo will provide theoretical insights and leadership in research.
• - Karakuri Co., Ltd. will push forward with solutions drawn from AI implementation and engineering expertise.

The trio aims to establish a new AI research model characterized by automation, transparency, and collaboration, while also looking into securing intellectual property rights over their findings.

Expert Commentary

Professor Masato Okada from The University of Tokyo commented, “AI possesses the potential to revolutionize science, but the significance of ‘data structuring’ that underpins it has not been sufficiently recognized. By establishing an AI-ready data infrastructure and implementing the LLM developed in partnership with Upstage and Karakuri, we can profoundly tackle essential challenges that research institutions and private companies have long faced. Moreover, building an environment where AI excels across various industries, including healthcare and manufacturing, is my mission. Now is the time for us to pave the way for a new world in this field, as the application of AI for Science is still evolving.”

Tomofumi Nakayama, Chief Product Officer at Karakuri Co., stated, “I am genuinely excited to launch AI for Science alongside Professor Okada and my partners at Upstage. Many of our R&D team members come from Professor Okada's lab, making this initiative feel like a return to our roots. We have developed the top-tier Japanese language model, Syn Pro, in a robust collaboration with Upstage. By connecting the dots between our efforts, we aim to powerfully support researchers challenging the future of science.”

Hiroyuki Matsushita, CEO of Upstage, expressed, “Since the kickoff of this project, we have spent approximately six months exploring the potential for AI utilization within scientific research. We are thrilled to be taking a substantial step toward social implementation with AI for Science. Upstage has leveraged its Document Intelligence technology to transform unstructured data into a format understandable by AI, aiding knowledge utilization in research and operations. Just this October, we launched Syn Pro, which boasts unparalleled Japanese language performance, establishing a new foundation for data analysis and knowledge structuring in a safe, efficient manner. Our project team is committed to creating new synergies that will greatly enhance opportunities in Japanese scientific research and, subsequently, industrial development.”

A New Future Where AI Becomes a Research Partner

The AI for Science initiative proposes a new approach, positioning AI as a scientific partner that supports researchers’ thinking and reasoning rather than merely serving as a computational tool. By utilizing AI, the project aims to enhance the reproducibility and explainability of research while accelerating the creation of scientific knowledge. A prototype is expected to be constructed and collaborative research outcomes will be announced by 2026. Furthermore, the project plans to extend its focus beyond academia to build an ecosystem where AI functions effectively within the scientific community.

About Upstage

Upstage delivers a next-generation AI solution that combines safety and high performance. The company is backed by investments from Amazon and AMD, showcasing its commitment to providing high precision and reliable AI in the Japanese context. Industries such as insurance, law, and healthcare have harnessed Upstage’s technology to turn complex, unstructured documents into actionable business value.Looking to revolutionize the application of AI in scientific research, Upstage is prepared to shape the future of knowledge discovery alongside its partners.