It is a great honor for me to serve as a chairman of International Year of Crystallography 2014 (IYCr2014) Japan Initiative.

　　The International Year of Crystallography 2014 (IYCr 2014) is a global event to celebrate the 100 years’ glorious achievements of crystallography and onsequent contributions to human progress. The birth of modern crystallography has been given nearly one hundred years ago by three Nobel Laureates, Max von Laue (1914) and W. H. and W. L. Bragg (1915). Since then, crystallography has played a vital role in breakthroughs in many fields of science including life science, physics, chemistry, engineering, earth science, and nanotechnology. Crystallography was instrumental in the discoveries of the helical structure of DNA, enzymes, ribosomes, fullerenes, nanotubes, and graphenes. It will continue to contribute to new scientific and technological discoveries in the future.

　　In Japan in 1914, two pioneering scientists, Torahiko Terada and Shoji Nishikawa, ushered in the era of modern crystallography at approximately the same time as Laue and the Braggs. In 1936, Ukichiro Nakaya created unique scientific studies of snow crystals and applied his research to aerography and glaciology. Dr. Nakaya’s most famous quote is “Snow crystals are letters sent from heaven.” Japan’s extensive progress in crystallography should be marked and celebrated as leading innovation in science and technology as well as industrial applications.

　　In 2014, the IYCr2014 Japan Initiative will provide many opportunities to continue engaging diverse science and technology communities, reaching out and building bridges to new and existing partners in academics and industry, and building public awareness of crystallography.

　　In closing, we extend our thanks for your cooperation and help with the great endeavor to ensure success for the International Year of Crystallography 2014.