Press Releases
Visit of Prof. MATSUMOTO, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the United States (Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston)
February 20, 2026
From February 4 to February 12, Professor MATSUMOTO Yoichiro, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston, where he met with Japanese researchers based in the respective cities and U.S. academic stakeholders, and visited science and technology-related institutions.
1. Los Angeles
Exchanges between Japanese researchers
Visit to Caltech
Visit to JPL
- In Los Angeles, Professor MATSUMOTO, together with the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles, engaged with Japanese researchers active in Southern California, and received many insightful opinions on topics such as strengthening Japan’s science and technology capabilities, promoting science and technology diplomacy, and advancing international brain circulation, including through the development of a Principal Investigator (PI) map for the Southern California region, a compilation of Japanese researchers who lead laboratories and research projects at universities and research institutions overseas.
- Furthermore, Professor MATSUMOTO visited NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). At Caltech, he met with Dr. Jennifer Jackson, Vice Provost, and Dr. Grace Fisher-Adams, Associate Vice Provost for Research Policy and Complianceboth of Caltec, and was briefed on the current state of research security initiatives in the U.S. and at Caltech, as well as on international brain circulation and potential international collaboration to strengthen Japan’s science and technology capabilities.
2. San Francisco
Exchanges at a Japanese Researcher Gathering
Meeting with PIs
Visit to Hoover Institution
- In San Francisco, Professor MATSUMOTO engaged with Japanese researchers active in the Bay Area in a variety of formats. At the 2nd Roundtable Discussion for Bay Area Principal Investigators hosted by the Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco, Professor MATSUMOTO reported on the latest developments in Japan’s international brain circulation initiatives, and lively discussions were held on topics including the further development of the PI map and measures to strengthen Japan’s science and technology capabilities through international collaboration. In addition, at the Japanese Researcher Gathering hosted by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), he delivered a keynote address on the promotion of science and technology diplomacy. He also visited the Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology Lab at the Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, where he met with its Director, Professor Seiji Nishino, engaged with young Japanese researchers, and participated in an international brain circulation event organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) San Francisco Office, among other activities.
- Furthermore, Professor MATSUMOTO visited Stanford University and exchanged views with Dr. Glenn Tiffert, Distinguished Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, on the importance of research security and the initiatives being undertaken by various countries to strengthen it.
3. Boston
Meeting with PIs
Attending the launching event of J-Nexus
Visit to MIT
- In Boston, while meeting with Japanese researchers active in the New England region, various opinions were shared on topics including strengthening Japan’s science and technology capabilities, promoting international brain circulation through the utilization of the PI map in the New England region, and advancing international collaboration among industry, academia, and government. Professor MATSUMOTO also attended the reception to commemorate the launch of “J-NEXUS: Japan–New England Nexus for Innovation,” a platform for fostering Japan–New England innovation partnerships hosted by the Consulate-General of Japan in Boston, as well as a Japan-U.S. drug discovery ecosystem collaboration event, where he delivered a speech on the promotion of science and technology diplomacy.
- Furthermore, Professor MATSUMOTO visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and exchanged views with Dr. Duane Boning, Vice Provost for International Activities, MIT, on topics including the promotion of Japan-MIT international collaboration and research security. He also attended an event on quantum computing and drug discovery, where he heard from Japanese and U.S. researchers on the promotion of the social implementation of science and technology in the field of drug discovery. In addition, he toured the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), an innovation hub that supports startups and entrepreneurs and hosts many Japanese companies.