Science and Technology

On December 1, Prof. Pavel KABAT, Secretary-General of the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO), paid a courtesy call on Mr. KAIFU Atsushi, Ambassador, Director-General of the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department and Prof. MATSUMOTO Yoichiro, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. (Mr. WATANABE Masami, Deputy Secretary-General of the HFSPO, who is seconded from the Government of Japan, attended as well.)

Secretary-General KABAT said that the HFSPO, which was launched by the initiative of the then Prime Minister Nakasone at the 1987 G7 Summit, has continued its work for more than 30 years and has been commended by scientists around the world, and he also expressed his gratitude for the continued support from Japan since its establishment.

Moreover, Secretary-General KABAT explained the HFSP's aspirations for promoting Science and Technology Diplomacy, looking ahead to the upcoming diplomatic opportunities, to improve the presence of the HFSP.

In response, Ambassador KAIFU expressed his gratitude for various ideas and proposals regarding HFSPO's possible activities and management policies, and stated that he would like to share them with the parties concerned to deepen the cooperation between Japan and HFSPO.

As a future direction for life science, Prof. Matsumoto stated that there are potentials not only in researches regarding treating illness but also in researches that contribute to the welfare of people in the pre-illness stage to maintain health and prevent the onset of illness, as well as in researches related to the health and welfare of the elderly, on which Japan has some advantages and strengths. Prof. Matsumoto also expressed his hope that the relationship between Japan and HFSP in the research fields would be further strengthened.