Addresses by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (2016)

Distinguished participants and guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to attend the opening ceremony of the 18th International Conference on Crystal Growth and Epitaxy today along with all of the participants from so many countries and regions.

This conference sets “Innovation Platform for Crystal Growth based on Fundamentals” as its main subject matter, and aims at strengthening ties between basic research and applied research. I think this meeting is deeply significant for bringing together researchers and engineers in the academic and industrial fields who have been engaging in crystal growth in order to discuss research achievements for the purpose of advancing the industry and improving life in society.

In 2014, Professors Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their invention of blue LED. As exemplified by this achievement, I understand that the field of crystal growth and epitaxy is experiencing more and more opportunities in contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through promoting energy conservation. In the years ahead, the further development of this field, not only in relation to energy conservation but also in a wide range of areas from pharmaceuticals and biosciences to information and communications, is strongly expected so as to provide a scientific and technological foundation that supports a low-carbon society, an advanced information society and an aging society, and to contribute to the development of society as a whole.

I hope that this conference will provide a momentum to further stimulate interest in crystal growth among young researchers, engineers and students from around the world, and thus serve as a catalyst for creating many new innovations of the future.

In closing, I would like to pay my sincere respect to those who have made efforts for the organizing of the 18th International Conference on Crystal Growth and Epitaxy. I would also like to offer my heartfelt wish that this conference will provide an opportunity to present general directions for specific measures to solving important challenges that humankind will face in the twenty-first century, and that it will, to this end, help broaden recognition of the world on the important roles played by researchers and engineers.

Thank you very much.