It is very regrettable that a Japanese media outlet has published a report concerning the relationship between RIKEN’s president, Makoto Gonokami, and the Japan Cosmetic Association, which can incur misunderstanding.
RIKEN has confirmed the following facts. These facts were earnestly explained to the said media outlet, including the background, in response to inquiries.
- 1.Dr. Gonokami has never had any direct association with the Japan Cosmetic Association. Furthermore, he has never made any demands toward the Association or people affiliated with it, nor has he received any requests from them.
- 2.RIKEN has confirmed that since September 2024, there has been no joint research agreement between RIKEN and the researchers mentioned in the report, or between RIKEN and the Department of Dermatology of the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine resulting from the matter reported in the media.
- 3.Dr. Gonokami’s wife was acquainted with one of the researchers at the University of Tokyo Hospital due to past treatments of a family member at the hospital. She received an email invitation regarding a “workshop with demonstration” on September 7, 2024. Dr. and Mrs. Gonokami attended the workshop once, with the understanding that they would receive a treatment as part of the demonstration. These facts were also provided in response to media inquiries.
- 4.Mrs. Gonokami was invited by the researcher because the researcher happened to be the attending physician for a family member (her mother, who passed away in March 2022), and had met Mrs. Gonokami when she accompanied her mother during visits for treatment. Dr. Gonokami understood that the “workshop with demonstration” would be an introduction to research activities at the hospital. On September 7, 2024, Dr. Gonokami accompanied his wife on a visit to the hospital. Based on the belief that even if it was a treatment experience, they should bear the actual cost, she inquired beforehand with the researcher at the hospital who was the focus of the media report, regarding the cost. She received a reply from the researcher that, “It is being carried out as part of our contributions to society, so it is free of charge.” Therefore, their understanding was that it was being offered purely as part of introducing research activities, and not as a receipt of a paid service, and agreed to participate in the experience. Dr. Gonokami and his wife underwent the facial skincare-like demonstration in an open area set up within a corner of the laboratory. He is unaware of the details regarding the practitioner who was present at the time. Dr. Gonokami was unaware of the very existence of the social cooperation program mentioned in the article at the time of the visit. These matters are unrelated to his duties as president of RIKEN.
RIKEN does not see this matter as an issue compromising the fairness of the institute’s decision-making. However, considering the weight of our social responsibility as a public research institution, RIKEN has decided to conduct a verification of this matter by a third party to fulfill our accountability with transparency. Alongside this verification, responses, including legal action, will be considered against any reporting that may give rise to factual errors and potentially harm the institute’s reputation.