Science and Technology
Visit of Prof. MATSUMOTO, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the Netherlands and Italy
November 19, 2025
From 9th to 14th November 2025, Professor MATSUMOTO Yoichiro, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Netherlands and Italy, where he exchanged views with Japanese researchers based in the countries and science and technology professionals (government officials, academics, university personnel, etc.) and visited science and technology-related institutions.
The Netherlands
- Professor Matsumoto, together with Japan’s major government-affiliated science and technology institutions (RIKEN, JST, JSPS, and AMED), visited the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences（KNAW）, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Wageningen University and Research (WUR), and Eindhoven University of Technology. He engaged in insightful discussions with local science and technology stakeholders on topics such as Japan's science and technology diplomacy, international brain circulation, and research security. Furthermore, Professor Matsumoto visited the laboratory of a Japanese researcher active at TU Delft, as well as research facilities within QuTech and Quantum Delta NL. He also visited OnePlanet Research Center located at WUR, and Holst Centre at High Tech Campus Eindhoven. During these visits, he received explanations on the advanced local science and technology research and exchanged views on promoting international collaborative research.
- Professor Matsumoto attended and delivered a speech at the “Japan-Netherlands Science and Technology Networking Reception
” held at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands. The reception was attended by more than 100 people, including Drs. Feite Hofman, Director-General, Higher and Vocational Education, Science and Emancipation, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, other Dutch government officials, academics, industry representatives, and Japanese researchers active in the country. The event fostered lively exchanges expected to strengthen future collaboration.
Italy
- Professor Matsumoto visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and exchanged views with Ministry officials, including Min. Giuseppe Pastorelli, Deputy Director General / Central Director for Integrated Promotion and Innovation, Directorate-General for Country Promotion. The discussions focused on promoting multifaceted bilateral scientific and technological cooperation, encompassing areas such as joint research projects, inter-university collaboration, and international brain circulation.
- Additionally, Professor Matsumoto visited Sapienza University of Rome, the National Research Council (CNR), and Sony Computer Science Laboratories (CSL) Rome. He received explanations on advanced local science and technology research from Japanese researchers active there and local researchers, and also exchanged views on promoting international collaborative research.