Japan mulls science and technology cooperation with the Pacific Island Region

On Friday, July 19, 2024, the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) held a scoping workshop in Tokyo on the theme of “Scientific and Technological Collaboration between Japan and the Island Region” co-sponsored by Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. This workshop was conducted as a recognized event of the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10), held in Tokyo from July 16 to 18, 2024.

SATREPS has promoted 183 collaborative research projects in 57 countries (as of April 2024). However, collaborative research with the Pacific Island Region is expected to be further strengthened in the future, as it has been designated as a target region for the “The SATREPS Projects Promoting Focused Themes.” Therefore, taking the opportunity of the PALM 10, a workshop was held to bring together researchers, administrative bodies, and other relevant stakeholders from Japan and the island region to discuss and explore the possibilities and directions for future research collaboration.

Approximately 30 participants attended, including Shigeo Morimoto, Vice President of JST; Motoko Kotani, SATREPS Program Director (Executive Vice President of Tohoku University); the research Supervisors of the four SATREPS Research Areas; five experts invited from Fiji, Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand; as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JICA, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

At the beginning, JST provided an overview of the SATREPS program. Subsequently, two Japanese researchers and one researcher from an island nation introduced their respective research conducted in Japan and the Pacific Island nations. In the experts’ conference, Japanese and island region experts engaged in lively discussions on topics such as “important research themes in scientific and technological collaboration between Japan and the island region,” “activities that island region expect from Japan,” and “the desirable frameworks for collaboration.” The importance of preliminary initiatives for supporting collaborative research, such as human resource development and exchange, was also highlighted, extending beyond the scope of support provided by the SATREPS framework.

More information on the program and speakers will be posted on the SATREPS website later.

This article was first published on 8 August by Japan Science and Technology Agency.