Two aims of RIKEN, the Japanese Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, are ''to conduct comprehensive research in science and technology'' and ''to disseminate the results of research and new technological developments''. How RIKEN is organized and managed in order to pursue these goals is the subject of this essay, which likens RIKEN to a unicellular, multinuclear animal living in the Sea of Japan. Details are given of the Frontier Research Program, which is designed to further cooperation with the wider international research community.