Message from the Chair

I was elected as the President of the second term of the Specific Synchrotron Radiation Facility Users Community (SpRUC) at the 3rd Council Meeting for FY2025, held on January 8, 2026. Prior to the establishment of SpRUC on March 1, 2025, the organization operated as the SPring-8 Users Community (SPRUC), serving users of SPring-8 and SACLA. With the addition of NanoTerasu, the organization has evolved into a comprehensive users community encompassing three major facilities, as symbolized in the SpRUC logo. While the acronym remains familiar, the notation now uses a lowercase “p.” As the organization is still in its early stages, it is sometimes referred to as the “new SpRUC” or “small-p SpRUC.” Symbolically, however, it may best be described as a “larger community with a small ‘p’.” Building upon the activities led by previous SPRUC presidents and inheriting the vision established by the first SpRUC Chair, Prof. Akihiko Fujiwara, we aim to maximize the benefits for SpRUC members and the broader scientific and technological community.

To achieve these goals, we have established the following leadership structure:

As symbolized by the establishment of SpRUC, synchrotron radiation research is currently undergoing a period of rapid transformation. In March 2025, user operations began at NanoTerasu, Japan’s first fourth-generation synchrotron radiation facility. In addition, SPring-8 is scheduled to undergo a major upgrade to SPring-8-II, with a shutdown starting in mid-FY2027 and completion planned for FY2029.

This shutdown period is sometimes referred to as a “dark time” or “blackout.” However, how we spend this period is critically important for the user community. Rather than viewing it as a period of inactivity, we hope to transform it into a “bright dark time,” a period of active engagement and preparation for future advancements. To this end, we will continue to promote discussions through the SpRUC Symposium, beamline upgrade workshops, and research group activities. We also aim to strengthen collaboration with initiatives such as the MEXT Committee on Quantum Beam Facility Utilization.

Furthermore, we will actively support human resource development and broaden the user base through programs such as the SPring-8 Summer School (supported), Autumn School, and various workshops organized by research groups.

We look forward to working together with all members to navigate this transformative period in synchrotron science in a positive and engaging manner. Your continued support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.