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, the place he met with Japanese researchers primarily based in the respective cities and U.S. tutorial stakeholders, and visited science and technology-related establishments.
1. Los Angeles
Exchanges between Japanese researchers
Visit to Caltech
Visit to JPL
- In Los Angeles, Professor MATSUMOTO, along with the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles, engaged with Japanese researchers lively in Southern California, and acquired many insightful opinions on subjects reminiscent of strengthening Japan’s science and expertise capabilities, selling science and expertise diplomacy, and advancing worldwide mind circulation, together with by means of the growth of a Principal Investigator (PI) map for the Southern California area, a compilation of Japanese researchers who lead laboratories and analysis initiatives at universities and analysis establishments abroad.
- 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 present state of analysis safety initiatives in the U.S. and at Caltech, in addition to on worldwide mind circulation and potential worldwide collaboration to strengthen Japan’s science and expertise 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 lively in the Bay Area in a spread of codecs. 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 newest developments in Japan’s worldwide mind circulation initiatives, and energetic discussions have been held on subjects together with the additional growth of the PI map and measures to strengthen Japan’s science and expertise capabilities by means of worldwide collaboration. In addition, at the Japanese Researcher Gathering hosted by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), he delivered a keynote handle on the promotion of science and expertise diplomacy. He additionally visited the Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology Lab at the Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, the place he met with its Director, Professor Seiji Nishino, engaged with younger Japanese researchers, and participated in a global mind circulation occasion organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) San Francisco Office, amongst different actions.
- Furthermore, Professor MATSUMOTO visited Stanford University and exchanged views with Dr. Glenn Tiffert, Distinguished Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, on the significance of analysis safety and the initiatives being undertaken by varied international locations to strengthen it.
3. Boston
Meeting with PIs
Attending the launching occasion of J-Nexus
Visit to MIT
- In Boston, whereas assembly with Japanese researchers lively in the New England area, varied opinions have been shared on subjects together with strengthening Japan’s science and expertise capabilities, selling worldwide mind circulation by means of the utilization of the PI map in the New England area, and advancing worldwide collaboration amongst business, academia, and authorities. Professor MATSUMOTO additionally 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, in addition to a Japan-U.S. drug discovery ecosystem collaboration occasion, the place he delivered a speech on the promotion of science and expertise 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 subjects together with the promotion of Japan-MIT worldwide collaboration and analysis safety. He additionally attended an occasion on quantum computing and drug discovery, the place he heard from Japanese and U.S. researchers on the promotion of the social implementation of science and expertise in the subject of drug discovery. In addition, he toured the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), an innovation hub that helps startups and entrepreneurs and hosts many Japanese firms.