Press Releases
The 11th Meeting of the Japan-France Joint Committee on Cooperation in Science and Technology
March 31, 2026
On March 31, the 11th meeting of the Japan-France Joint Committee on Cooperation in Science and Technology was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- The Joint Committee was co-chaired by Mr. KAWAMURA Hiroshi, Ambassador for Science and Technology Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, led the Japanese delegation and Mr. Jean-Luc MOULLET, Director General for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space of France, cochaired. Many officials from relevant ministries and agencies of both countries participated in the meeting.
- In the meeting, both sides introduced their recent respective national policy on science, technology and innovation including Japan’s new 7th Science, Technology and Innovation Basic plan and discussed many items including future cooperation in strategic fields of mutual interest such as quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, health, and agriculture; directions in the fields of space, nuclear energy and fusion, as identified in the Roadmap on Japan-France cooperation under the “Exceptional Partnership.”. They are committed to promoting researcher mobility and collaboration in strategic areas. On the occasion of the Joint Committee, several memoranda of cooperation between relevant institutions of both countries are being concluded or renewed.
- At the closing of the meeting, a high-level session was held with the participation of Ms. ONODA Kimi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy (Cabinet Office), Mr. MATSUMOTO Yohei, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Mr. Philippe BAPTISTE, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space of France, during which they exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
- Both sides agreed to hold the next Joint Committee Meeting in France.