Nature Index 2025: Japan ranks 5th in global rankings

Springer Nature has published the Nature Index Research Leaders 2025, which ranks universities and research institutions based on research paper publication numbers and other criteria. In the global rankings, Japan maintained its 5th place position, but its paper share decreased by 9% from the previous year. Only two Japanese institutions made the list of the world's top 100 research institutions: the University of Tokyo in 23rd place (21st in 2024) and Kyoto University in 55th place (47th in 2024), marking the first time Kyoto University has fallen out of the top 50. In the newly added indicator "percentage of female authors," the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology recorded 30.2%, ranking first domestically

China is further expanding its dominance in research paper publications. China's paper count for 2024 reached 32,122, representing a 17% increase compared with 2023. Currently, Chinese institutions account for 8 of the top 10 institutions in the Nature Index. Additionally, Asian countries are maintaining their overall advantage, while the number of Western institutions in the top rankings is decreasing. Chief Editor Simon Baker states: " China's continued investment in science and technology is translating into rapid sustained growth in high-quality research output, which in areas such as physical sciences and chemistry is now far outstripping previously dominant Western nations, including the US."

Other Asian countries also saw significant increases in research paper publications. Among the top 10 countries other than China, only two countries—South Korea and India—increased their paper share from 2023. South Korea increased by 4.1% and India by 2%. South Korea rose to 7th place in the overall rankings, overtaking Canada. Singapore rose from 18th to 16th place, recording a 7% increase. This represents the second-highest growth rate among the top 20 countries after China. The only exception among Asian countries was Japan, which decreased by 9%.

Major Western countries experienced consecutive declines in paper share for the second year. Canada, France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States all recorded decreases of at least 7%. Australia and Germany saw decreases of less than 3%.

Looking at individual institutions, Chinese institutions occupy 8 of the top 10 positions in the institutional rankings. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) maintained its first place, the University of Science and Technology of China ranked 3rd, and Zhejiang University rose from 10th to 4th place. Multiple Western institutions dropped in the rankings. Germany's Max Planck Society fell from 4th to 9th place, and France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) dropped out of the top 10 for the first time, falling to 13th place. Harvard University maintained its 2nd place despite an 18% decrease in paper share. Meanwhile, both Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) dropped in rankings. Stanford University fell from 15th to 16th place, and MIT dropped from 14th to 17th place. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) also saw its ranking change, falling from the top 20th to 24th place.