Switzerland and Japan Discuss Science and Technology Cooperation in Tokyo
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Spinning Collaboration: CH-JP Quantum Experts Converge at Expo 2025
2 July 2025On 30 June 2025, the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025 became a vibrant hub for discussions on quantum innovation hosting mainly industry experts for prospective collaboration, but also government officials, and leading scientists in quantum technology. Keynote speakers included Dr. Maria Longobardi, Managing Director of NCCR SPIN, Dr. Brendan Karch, Interim CEO of Swissnex Boston and New York, and Mr. Shunsuke Okada, Executive Committee Chairman of Q-STAR and Corporate Senior Vice President of Toshiba Corporation.
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A Taste of Tomorrow: EPFL-led RoboCake at Expo 2025
13 June 2025On June 6, 2025, the pioneering edible robotic cake was unveiled and tasted at the Swiss Pavilion at the World Expo 2025, Osaka, Japan. Presented by RoboFood an EPFL-led and EU funded project, the RoboCake is a marriage of robotics and culinary arts. The event attracted widespread attention from the media and welcomed VIP guests from confectionary and hospitality businesses as well as governments including the EU Ambassador to Japan H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet.
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Fostering Quantum Innovation: Ecosystem Building with CH-JP leaders
19 May 2025On May 13, 2025, industry leaders and government representatives immersed themselves in heated discussions at the Swiss Residence for a special event focused on building an ecosystem that brings quantum science and technology to society. The gathering highlighted the importance of international collaboration in building a thriving quantum ecosystem.
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Switzerland and Japan Discuss Science and Technology Cooperation in Tokyo
21 April 2025Tokyo, April 21, 2025 – The 6th Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation between Switzerland and Japan was successfully held, bringing together high-ranking representatives from government, funding agencies, and higher education and research institutions of both countries.
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Quantumpedia: The Future of Quantum Computing
3 April 2025On March 27, 2025, an atmosphere of anticipation filled the Swiss Residence in Tokyo as WIRED Japan celebrated the launch of its March issue, “Quantumpedia: The Future of Quantum Computing”. The event underscored Switzerland's influential role in the quantum ecosystem and its growing international collaborations, particularly with Japan. The mix of guests from the technology and entertainment sectors, Japanese government representatives, and Swiss quantum industry experts provided a unique experience for all.
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Exploring the Future of Sustainable Energy at Kyushu University’s I²CNER
26 February 2025Switzerland was represented among the countries dispatching science councilors, attachés and staff to Kyushu University to visit the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I²CNER) which aims to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly society with cutting-edge research. I²CNER is part of the World Premier International (WPI) Research Center Initiative to advance science through global collaboration.
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Swiss Digital Fabrication for the future of Architecture and Construction
19 February 2025On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Swiss digital fabrication was the center of attention of experts from the top construction companies and academics in Japan at an exclusive event held at the Swiss Ambassador’s residence. Dr. Russell Loveridge, Managing Director of the National Centre of Competence in Research Digital Fabrication (NCCR D-Fab) presented the center’s numerous achievements, giving examples of real-life research results and projects that have led to the creation of successful start-ups.
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Closing 2024 with the Swiss Universities Alumni
16 December 2024On December 12, 2024, more than 50 alumni from Swiss universities, living in the Greater Tokyo area and beyond, gathered for the Swiss Universities Alumni end-of-year event.
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MOFA’s S&T Advisor Updates Tokyo’s Diplomatic Community on Japan’s S&T Diplomacy
23 December 2024On Thursday, December 5, 2024, Professor Yoichiro Matsumoto, Science and Technology Advisor to Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered a special briefing on Japan’s science and technology (S&T) diplomacy to the international diplomatic community in Tokyo. The event, which also marked the end of the Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle (S&TDC)'s activities for 2024, was hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan and concluded with a year-end gathering.
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Exploring AI-Human Relationships: A Glimpse from Tokyo into the Global Science Film Festival 2024
8 November 2024On November 8, 2024, the 6th edition of the Global Science Film Festival brought together six Embassies and science Consulates of Switzerland and Swissnex locations across Asia for a simultaneous screening and panel discussion on a documentary from the Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF)’s Einstein series, examining AI’s potential in the roles of friend, roommate, and even romantic partner.
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Switzerland – Japan Economic Forum 2024
24 October 2024The President of the University of Zurich, Prof. Dr. Michael SCHAEPMAN, and the President of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne EPFL, Prof. Dr. Martin VETTERLI were highlighted at the Switzerland-Japan Economic Forum 2024 on "Biodiversity in crisis: How can we drive the transformation towards regenerative economies?"
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Signing Ceremony of a new MoC between SNSF and JSPS at STS Forum 2024
15 October 2024Kyoto, October 7, 2024 – In the spirit of strengthening scientific collaboration between Switzerland and Japan, Dr. Angelika Kalt, Director of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), and Mr. Tsuyoshi Sugino, President of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), met at the annual Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum in Kyoto. They signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC), setting the stage for the upcoming call for proposals for Joint Research Projects (JRPs) between the two countries.
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Swiss and Japanese Ageing Experts Meet in Tokyo to Discuss Healthy Longevity
23 September 2024On September 17, 2024, just a day after Japan celebrated Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday honoring the contributions of older citizens, the Swiss Residence in Tokyo hosted an event focused on healthy longevity. Experts from Switzerland and Japan – two global leaders in healthy ageing – gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities of ageing populations. The event, part of the Swiss Vitality Days, brought together high-profile attendees working on healthy longevity, addressing challenges faced by ageing societies and exploring avenues for a more inclusive future.
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Highlights from the JASSO Study Abroad Fair 2024
29 July 2024The JASSO Study Abroad Fair 2024 offered essential information on global educational avenues to Japanese students. Featuring booths from numerous countries and institutions, the fair also included seminars and personal stories from alumni who have studied overseas, making it a useful resource for aspiring international students.
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Applications and Implications of AI in Real Life Explored at the 8th RIKEN S&TDC Seminar Held at the Swiss Residence
25 June 2024The 8th RIKEN S&TDC Seminar on AI took place at the Swiss Residence on June 21, 2024. On this occasion, two principal investigators from the RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP) introduced their recent research activities, providing valuable information for science attachés from diplomatic missions based in Tokyo. A Swiss-Japanese collaborative project on AI in linguistics by researchers from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and The University of Tokyo was also highlighted.
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Art x science performance “Tinguely Entangled”, showcasing the world of quantum physics, fills Tokyo venue at premiere outside Switzerland
12 June 2024“Tinguely Entangled”, a musical, visual and sensory experience of the world of cutting-edge quantum physics from Basel received so much interest that its special performance fully packed the venue at the University of Tokyo. As the concluding event of the 2024 Swiss–Japanese Quantum Symposium, the performance was attended by experts in quantum science and art, the media, and the general public.
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Swiss-Japanese Quantum Symposium 2024 in Tokyo receives high attendance by top, international experts
10 June 2024The Swiss-Japanese Quantum Symposium 2024 attracted a large number of high-level researchers and experts from academia, industry and government, to share knowledge, and explore potential collaborations in quantum science. Held from June 5 to 7 at the University of Tokyo, the event brought about constant lively exchanges between the young and prominent researchers and specialists.
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Swiss-Japanese polar research collaborations under the spotlight in Hokkaido
30 May 2024Representatives from the Swiss Polar Institute, Hokkaido University, and Nagoya University presented ongoing Swiss-Japanese scientific collaborations in polar research at the Opening Ceremony of the new Honorary Consulate in Higashikawa, Hokkaido.
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Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences Students Delve Into Digital Transformation and Sustainability in Japan
16 April 2024In a quest to learn about international practices in Digital transformation (DX) and sustainability, a group of eight working students from the Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences (UAS) traveled to Tokyo to learn from various Japanese organizations. Over the 6-days program, the students visited companies, took part in exchanges with fellow business school students and graduates, and were exposed to different facets of Japanese culture.
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Swiss Universities Alumni gathered for Hanami 2024
28 March 2024Hanami (花見), translated to flower viewing, is a long-standing Japanese custom where families, friends, and various groups gather to enjoy the cherry blossom trees in bloom, announcing the start of springtime. In honor of this tradition, Ambassador Andreas Baum hosted on March 22 an evening reception at the Swiss residence.
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MEXT Minister highlights importance of collaboration at the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Switzerland
8 February 2024The Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Dr. Masahito Moriyama, gave the congratulatory speech at a celebratory event organized by the Embassy of Switzerland on February 6, the date the two countries made their friendship official 160 years ago.
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A wealth of joint project ideas sparked at the Moonshot Workshop on AI and Robotics in Tokyo
26 January 2024In early 2024, European researchers, mostly from Switzerland, were invited to Tokyo to exchange with Japanese researchers funded by Japan’s flagship Moonshot R&D program, as the country accelerates efforts to internationalize collaborations with like-minded countries.
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Swiss Culture Night at Waseda University
21 December 2023The Swiss Culture Night, organized by the Intercultural Communication Center of Waseda University in collaboration with the Science & Technology Office Tokyo took place on December 6, 2023. With the help of Japan Switzerland Tourism, and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan, the event offered a dive into Swiss culture including its higher education landscape and scholarship opportunities through presentations, posters, a Swiss apero, and a quiz.
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Swiss Universities’ Alumni end-of-year Raclette Event
13 December 2023The Swiss Alumni community in Japan came together on 10 December 2023 to share raclette and enjoy the Xmas illuminations of Tokyo.
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Space-Based Solar Power workshop towards a Sustainable Energy Future
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Embassy of Switzerland hosts international quantum experts for networking reception
15 November 2023Many international quantum experts, including Swiss, were invited to Japan to attend the annual Quantum Innovation international symposium 2023, an initiative launched by the Japanese government. In line with Switzerland’s strategy to promote and internationalize quantum science and research, the S&T Office Tokyo organized a networking reception for the quantum experts with high-level government representatives, diplomats and industry officials joining.
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State Secretary Hirayama and Scientific Delegation Visit Japan
6 October 2023From 30 September to 4 October, the State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Dr. Martina Hirayama, visited Japan with a high-ranking scientific delegation. The Swiss visitors were welcomed by ministers and funding agency presidents for discussions on strategic topics.
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State Secretary Hirayama meets with Japanese Quantum Experts
5 October 2023During a high-level delegation visit to Japan, the State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, Martina Hirayama, met with members of the Japanese Working Group for Promotion of Practical Application of Quantum Technology.
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Signing of MoC for Stronger Research and Innovation Cooperation between CH and JP
1 October 2023A Memorandum of Cooperation to enhance STI cooperation between Switzerland and Japan has been signed between the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
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HESAV-Teikyo University Exchange: Presentations by Swiss and Japanese Students
6 July 2023Students from HESAV and Teikyo University made presentations to conclude the first part of this year’s exchange in the field of radiology at the Swiss Ambassador's Residence in Tokyo.
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Special Briefing by MOFA Advisor Dr. Motoko Kotani at Swiss Residence
16 June 2023Dr. Motoko Kotani, S&T Co-Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, gave a special presentation for the Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle at the Swiss Ambassador’s residence on June 15, 2023.
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Special Presentation on the International Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)
17 April 2023Prof. Philip Diamond, Director-General of the International Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), gave a special presentation for members of the Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle at British Embassy Tokyo.
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Zurich-Tokyo Science Evening on Law in the Age of AI and Digital Platforms with UZH Experts
29 March 2023Researchers from the University of Zurich exchanged with Japanese government officials, academia, business and media representatives at the "Zurich-Tokyo Science Evening - The Future of Law in the Age of AI and Digital Platforms". The presentations and panel discussions by the Swiss experts were met by keen interest.
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Swiss Excellence around City-Tech.Tokyo Presented at Swiss Residence
22 March 2023Swiss excellence in innovation was highlighted at the Swiss Ambassador’s residence on the occasion of City-Tech.Tokyo exhibition on February 27. The special networking event highlighted the Swisstech booth participants Flyability, ZESST by Almatech and Switzerland Innovation.
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A Japanese‒Swiss Workshop to Shape the Future of Clean Energy from Space
1 December 2022On November 1st, 2022, the "Japan-Switzerland SBSP/WPT Workshop" was held at Kyoto University Tokyo Office, Tokyo, Japan. The event was inaugurated by welcome speeches of the Director of Space Industry Office at the Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Head of Science and Technology Office Tokyo, Embassy of Switzerland in Japan. There were 60 hybrid participants among which 17 attended in person.
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High Interest in Japanese-European Workshop on AI and Robotics in Switzerland
10 November 2022More than 80 participants from Japan and Europe gathered in Switzerland for a three-day workshop on “Co-evolving AI and Robots towards 2050,” one of the goals of the Japanese flagship Moonshot R&D program in September 2022.
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Swiss Excellence in Life Sciences and Healthcare Presented at Swisstech around BioJapan 2022
20 October 2022High interest in Swiss life science: Nine Swiss startups presented state-of-the-art products and services in the fields of life science and healthcare at Swisstech at BioJapan 2022 on October 11. The event held at CIC Tokyo–one day prior to the opening of BioJapan 2022–attracted about 140 participants.
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Swiss Alumni Hanami Event Revived in 2022
29 March 2022The Swiss Alumni community in Japan gathered on the occasion of the Hanami Event 2022 at the Swiss Ambassador’s residence on March 21, 2022.
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Special Presentation on Japan’s S&T Diplomacy by MOFA Advisors attracts high interest
23 March 2022Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan gave a special presentation for members of the Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle at the Swiss Residence.
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Keio University President Itoh Underscores Collaboration with Switzerland
9 March 2022Ambassador of Switzerland Dr. Andreas Baum visited Keio University President Kohei Itoh to discuss potential future collaboration between the university and Switzerland.
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Wolf Prize 2022 awarded to ETH Zurich Professor Momoyo Kaijima and partner
25 February 2022Great honor for Japanese architecture duo: Prof. Momoyo Kaijima of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) and Prof. Yoshiharu Tsukamoto of the Tokyo Institute of Technology received this year’s Wolf Prize in Architecture for their outstanding work earlier this month. The ETH Zurich professor is only the third woman winning the prize.
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Switzerland-led research forum on Olympic Games’ impact on transformation of Tokyo
13 December 2021Researchers and officials from Japan gathered at the second forum of the Switzerland-led Project “TOT City – Tokyo Olympics 2020” held in a hybrid setting at the Embassy of Switzerland in late November.
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Project TOT City – Tokyo Olympics 2020: Transformations, City and Citizenship in a Case Study
29 November 2021The Embassy of Switzerland in Japan is hosting a forum of the project TOT City - Tokyo Olympics 2020: Transformations, City and Citizenship in a Case Study at the Ambassador’s residence on November 29, 2021.
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High interest in Swiss solutions towards decarbonization at SWISSTECH in Japan 2021
2 November 2021Swisstech in Japan 2021 aroused great interest among Japanese industries: nearly 300 participants attended the online event titled Targeting BEYOND-ZERO societies on October 25. The webinar presented Prof. Andreas Zuttel of EPFL who gave an overview of Swiss efforts and highlighted two cleantech startups Synhelion and Climeworks.
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SWISSTECH in Japan 2021: Targeting BEYOND-ZERO societies
25 October 2021Climeworks and Synhelion, two highly innovative Swiss startups, will present their excellent solutions towards decarbonization to a Japanese audience together with an academic expert on October 25, 2021. The event will be held in English with Japanese simultaneous translation.
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Swiss workshop on sustainability sparks enthusiasm among Japanese students
13 October 2021The “Sarnetz – Simulation-Game Energia 2020” introduced by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) was unveiled in Japan for the first time as an online experience where students could learn about Swiss efforts and commitment towards sustainability. The workshop attended by professors and students from six universities throughout Japan created positive resonance and may lead to the Swiss case study being taught at Japanese universities.
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University of Zurich at Science Agora
11 October 2021 — 3 November 2021A University of Zurich series "Science from Switzerland" will be present at the Science Agora 2021, one of the largest science communication platforms in Japan. The Science Agora will be an online event and will consist of two parts, a pre-event called Pre-Agora in October and the main event Science Agora in November. 4 different institutes/departments from the University of Zurich will be present either at the Pre-Agora or Science Agora date, where their activities and research projects will be introduced followed by interactions with the audience.
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EPFL Virtual Space Tour at BASE Q Tokyo Midtown Hibiya
17 September 2021 — 18 September 2021The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) is presenting two amazing experiences in Tokyo. Namely a VR platform where you can fully immerse yourself in the most advanced and detailed virtual map of the Universe and a thrilling cooperative virtual escape game taking place in a lunar base and its mission control center. From September 18 - 19, EPFL Virtual Space Tour will travel to BASE Q at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya. The projects can be experienced during the day and talk events will be held in the evening that can be attended online or onsite.
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State Secretary Martina Hirayama emphasizes the importance of research at the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial
25 May 2021State Secretary Martina Hirayama virtually attended the third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) on May 8-9, 2021. At ASM3, science ministers and representatives of Arctic indigenous peoples' organizations came together to strengthen international cooperation in science and research to advance understanding of the Arctic region, and to support the role of science in policy and decision-making in the Arctic. In her speech, State Secretary Hirayama emphasized the importance of research in response to the challenges of climate change in the vulnerable Polar regions and the urgent need for international cooperation in this area.
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“Digital medicines” heal patients – VR for depression, world-class big data for hearing loss
12 February 2021More and more start-ups are using digital technologies to develop "digital medicines" to help treat diseases. Virtual reality (VR) to treat depression or apps to improve hearing loss are some examples listed. These digital therapeutics have the advantage of low development costs and low risk of side effects, compared to conventional medication. A smoking cessation app was approved for the first time in Japan in summer 2020, paving the way for digital medicine to increasingly become a part of our daily lives.
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Prime Minister Stresses Importance of Young Researcher Cultivation to Revive Japan as S&T Leader
27 January 2021In his policy speech on January 18, Japan’s Prime Minister raised concern over the continued stagnation of research power for nearly 20 years and committed the country to improve the situation of young researchers.
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swisstech.Pitchinar @ CEATEC Japan 2020 Puts Spotlight on Swiss Innovation Ecosystem
1 December 2020On the occasion of the CEATEC Japan 2020 virtual exhibition, Switzerland put the spotlight on the exceptional performance of the Swiss innovation ecosystem with the swisstech.Pitchinar 2020 organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan.
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Japan Excels at CYBATHLON 2020 Global Edition
28 November 2020Three out of five Japanese teams were particularly highlighted in the CYBATHLON 2020, a unique championship in which people with disabilities tackle everyday tasks using advanced technologies. Congratulations to Fortississimo from Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology, RT-Movers from Wakayama University and BionicM Inc., a spin-off of the University of Tokyo for making the top 4! Viewership from Japan of the Swiss-made global online competition seemed to be quite high, especially for the powered wheelchair and leg races where the above teams participated, with the country ranking being second only after Switzerland.
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Japan advances iPSC-based transplantations in heart disease treatments
10 October 2020Japan is advancing research to apply induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) to treat heart diseases. After the world’s first-of-its-kind iPSC-based heart cell transplant in January, a second clinical trial has been approved this summer and the third is in the pipeline. Currently, cardiac insufficiency can only be cured by transplants but the waiting list for a donor is long. There are hopes that the new treatment will provide new alternatives in the future.
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Takeda to supply next-generation stem cell drug for intractable disease in Japan
15 November 2020Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is reportedly preparing to offer “stem cell therapy” in Japan as early as fiscal 2021.
Calls
Deadline: 30 April 2025
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025
The postdoctoral fellowships programme offered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) provides Swiss-based researchers the opportunity to stay in Japan for 12 to 24 months. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) acts as a nomination body and can propose suitable researchers to the JSPS.
Deadline: 30 June 2025
Switzerland - Japan bilateral call for joint research projects
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) are launching a joint call for proposals. The call is open to projects from all fields of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences.
Deadline: Anytime (at least 4 months in advance)
Scientific Exchanges
The Scientific Exchanges funding scheme of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is aimed at researchers planning to organise a scientific event in Switzerland, invite colleagues from abroad for a research visit to Switzerland, or visit their colleagues abroad.
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