Science and Technology

November 5, 2024

From 13th to 19th October 2024, Professor MATSUMOTO Yoichiro, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the UK, Strasbourg (France) and the Czech Republic where he participated in Japanese Researcher Gatherings, exchanged views with government officials and academia, and visited science and technology related organizations.

the UK

Visit to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
Reception to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Agreement between Japan and the UK on Cooperation in Science and Technology.
Meeting with Japanese researcher who are actively working in the UK.
  1. Professor Matsumoto, in collaboration with the JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) London Office and Science and Technology Fellows, had many productive conversations with local Japanese researchers, including professors and graduate students, and heard many thought-provoking opinions on strengthening the foundation of Japan’s science and technology capabilities, international brain circulation and the promotion of Japan-UK research exchange. The content of these ongoing and proactive discussions by the young researchers were compiled into recommendations, which were then presented by the young researchers to Professor Matsumoto on the day. Professor Matsumoto also gave a presentation on science and technology diplomacy and introduced Japan's efforts to strengthen its science and technology capabilities.
  2. Professor Matsumoto attended a reception at the Embassy of Japan in the UK to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Agreement between Japan and the UK on Cooperation in Science and Technology and made a short speech. The reception was attended by approximately 150 people, including Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Lord Waldegrave, who had signed the agreement as UK Science Minister in 1994, and Professor Dame Angela McLean, Chief Science Advisor to the UK Government. Among the other participants were representatives of the UK Government, researchers from UK universities and national institutes, including Nobel Prize laureates, and industry groups and Japanese researchers active in the UK. Also, in hope of strengthening all-Japan science and technology diplomacy in cooperation with relevant organisations and industry groups, a number of booths were set up with help from various UK organisations. These booths introduced the research and personnel exchange support provided by JSPS, JST and AMED, advanced Japanese technologies such as HTGR, fusion, quantum communications, decommissioning technology and space debris removal, as well as good practices in UK-Japan science and technology cooperation.
  3. Professor Matsumoto also visited Diamond Light Source, the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) and the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. Here he enjoyed discussions regarding the promotion of international joint research.

Strasbourg(France)

Meeting with Japanese researcher who are actively working in Strasbourg.
Group photo of participants
Reception at the Consulate-General of Japan in Strasbourg.
  1. Professor Matsumoto attended a meeting organized by the JSPS Strasbourg Office to exchange views with local Japanese researchers and introduced Japan's science and technology diplomacy efforts. At the meeting, Professor Matsumoto enjoyed frank discussions on strengthening Japan's science and technology capabilities, international brain circulation and human resource development.
  2. Professor Matsumoto also visited the Research Institute against Cancer of the Digestive System (IRCAD) and was briefed on topics including advanced digital and AI-based surgery and future global initiatives.

the Czech Republic

Visit to the Research, Development and Innovation Council
Visit to the Czech Academy of Sciences
Visit to the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics at the Czech Technical University in Prague.
  1. Professor Matsumoto visited the Research, Development and Innovation Council and the Czech Academy of Sciences. At each meeting, he actively exchanged views on challenges in science and technology, science and technology cooperation, and academic exchanges between Japan and the Czech Republic.
  2. Professor Matsumoto also visited the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics at the Czech Technical University in Prague, where he discussed the use of AI and robotics, and potential collaboration with businesses, among other topics.

Back to Science and Technology