Since the foundation in 1944, the Institute of Statistical Mathematics functioned as the sole research institute of statistical science in Japan and enumerated various results in the fields of the data analysis, the statistical modeling, and the sampling method, etc.. Further, after it reorganize to Inter-University Research Institute in 1985, the institute promoted systematically joint research with the researchers in various fields of sciences, and developed various innovative data analysis techniques, inference methods and promoted the applications to real world problems. On this 60th anniversary year of the establishment, the institutes was restructured as independent agency and reorganized as a member of the Research Organization of Information and Systems.

The contemporary society can be characterized as the information society where information has value more than the material and energy and also as a risk society due to globalization. In this situation, the role of statistical science became more important. Namely, in the information society where a huge amount of data accumulates day by day, the development of the method of "prediction and knowledge discovery" based on a huge data is an important role of statistical science. On the other hand, to cope with the society under various risks due to increased uncertainty, it is indispensable to develop adequate method for "modeling uncertainty and managing risk" in a scientific manner. Considering these concrete target in mind, we will conduct basic research such as the statistical modeling, the data analysis, the mathematical analysis, and the data design.

In addition to this task as an Inter-University Research Institute on statistical science, as a member of the Research Organization of Information and Systems, the development of a new research field becomes very important role of the institute. We would like to carry out this important task by making full use of characteristics of the statistical science, i.e. the interdisciplinary soft science.

I sincerely ask for the support and encouragement on our institute.