Press Releases
The 1st Meeting of the Advisory Board for Promoting Science and Technology Diplomacy
On September 25, the 1st Meeting of the Advisory Board for Promoting Science and Technology Diplomacy was held, with the participation of Prof. OKI Taikan, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Mr. IGUSA Makoto, Deputy Director-General for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science. Since the appointment of the new Advisor, Prof. OKI, this was the first meeting welcoming newly appointed Board members, and discussions were held on the basic direction and priority issues for the strategic promotion of science and technology (S&T) diplomacy.
- At the meeting, Prof. OKI, taking into account that in the“7th Science and Technology Innovation Basic Plan” the “promotion of strategic S&T diplomacy” is defined as one of the pillars, emphasized the importance of advancing both “science for diplomacy,” which harnesses science to solve diplomatic challenges, and “diplomacy for science,” which supports the enhancement of our country’s scientific and technological capabilities and the creation of innovation through diplomatic means, and called for frank discussions toward concretizing the related initiatives.
- Subsequently, from the members, with priority growth strategy fields in mind, an analysis organizing Japan’s strengths and challenges from the perspective of international comparison was presented, and a lively exchange of views was held regarding priority areas and the modalities of international collaboration for the development of strategic S&T diplomacy. In response to the introduction of MOFA’ initiative concerning international talent circulation, the Board members offered concrete suggestions for future expansion.
(Note) Dr. ATAKA Kazuto (CSO, LY Corporation; Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University), Dr. SHIOMI Junichiro (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo), Dr. SUZUKI Kazuto (Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo; Director, Institute for Geoeconomics), Dr. TAKEMI Ayako (Associate Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo), and Dr. MATSUO Yutaka (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)
- Building on the discussions at this meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will, in close coordination with Japan’s overseas missions and relevant ministries and agencies, and in partnership with industry and academia, accelerate efforts to give concrete shape to and implement strategic S&T diplomacy.