On 1 October, Dr. Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation was received by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Mr. Masahito Moriyama for his first international meeting after assuming office in mid-September. The two signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to strengthen cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation.
The MoC aims to encourage cooperation between Switzerland and Japan in all areas of research including quantum science and technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, material science and space research. Further collaboration is also expected in the areas of research infrastructures and networks, human resources development, and innovation policy.
Since the signing of the Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation in 2007, the two countries’ joint efforts in this field of growing importance have been very successful. With the MoC, the two countries reaffirmed their desire to continue developing cooperation between their respective research and innovation communities.
In the meeting which followed the signing ceremony, State Secretary Hirayama and Minister Moriyama exchanged views on the importance of joining forces in strategic fields. The two top officials referred to topics including the newly opened Swiss consulate in Osaka / Swissnex in Japan, international brain circulation, quantum research, AI and robotics and expressed their expectations for further cooperation between the two countries.
The signing took place in Kyoto on the occasion of State Secretary Hirayama’s visit to Japan with a high-ranking scientific delegation from 30 September to 4 October.
