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A New MOU with the China Geological Survey
March 13th, 2003, at the Geological Museum Lobby
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 The Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) of AIST and the China Geological Survey (CGS), Ministry of Land and Resources agreed to conclude a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in geosciences for the smooth implementation and future development of cooperative research activities. On March 13th, 2003, the MOU was signed at the Geological Museum Lobby of AIST by Ms. Shou Jiahua, the Vice Minister of Land and Resources and the Director General of the China Geological Survey and Dr Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, the President of AIST. As Vice Minister Shou could not come to Japan due to the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Wang Min, the Deputy Director of the China Geological Survey brought the signed MOU.
The Institute for Geo-Resources and Environment (IGRE) of AIST has started a new cooperative project with CGS since 2002 on the development of prediction model for water resource changes in Asian monsoon regions where artificial alteration of nature is significant. For the project, Dr. Tetsuro Noda, the Director of IGRE and Mr. Wu Xuanmin, the Deputy Director of the Department of Hydrology and Environmental Geology of CGS signed a Project Annex under the comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding.
In September 2001, to reorganize as a national center in geosciences of China, the China Geological Survey merged with several geology related organizations, such as the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, China Institute of Geo-Environmental Monitoring, Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, National Geological Museum of China, and National Geological Library. CGS currently consists of 6,200 research scientists with 28 local offices and related organizations.
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AIST/ ITRI Joint Symposium
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 On February 19th and 20th, AIST and ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan), jointly held a symposium at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (MeSci) and AIST Tsukuba.
There were 31 attendees from Taiwan including executive officers of ITRI headed by Dr. Chintay Shih, President, and Dr. Jung-Chiou Hwang, Director General of the Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs. The 44 Japanese participants included Dr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, President, and other researchers of AIST, as well as senior members of other organizations including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
On the first day of the symposium, Dr. Yoshikawa and Dr. Shih delivered opening speeches, followed by introductions of both institutions and presentations explaining the efforts to nurture new ventures by each organization. Subsequently, six researchers from each institute gave lectures on their research subjects in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology and IT. Dr. Jiro Hiraishi, AIST Vice President, delivered the closing remarks.
On the second day, a discussion was held on the subject of "Management of Research Institutes" and there was a tour of AIST Tsukuba and AIST Tokyo Waterfront. The participants eagerly exchanged opinions for future tie-ups in research activities. The symposium marked an important step forward for the close collaboration of both institutions.
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KOCI Chairman Visits AIST
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 In May 2003, Dr. Won Hoon Park, the Chairman of the Korea Research Council for Industrial Science and Technology (KOCI), visited AIST.
The Chairman, along with Directors of two Member Institutes, Dr. Doug Young Joo of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology and Dr. Choong Sup Kim of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, had laboratory tours at AIST Kansai, Chubu, Tsukuba and Tokyo Waterfront. At the AIST Tokyo Headquarters, they had a discussion on research cooperation with the President of AIST, Dr. H. Yoshikawa.
KOCI is under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister and it supervises seven research institutes called Member Institutes in the industrial technology field.
It evaluates and supervises the seven Member Institutes in Korea and offers counsel to the Cabinet. KOCI and AIST concluded the Memorandum of Understanding on Comprehensive Research Cooperation in February 2002.
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Delegation of NCST Visits AIST to Boost Relations(May 26th, 27th, 30th)
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 A delegation of NCST (National Center for Natural Science and Technology of Vietnam) visited AIST to foster better understanding and cooperation between NCST and AIST. NCST is affiliated directly to the Vietnamese Government, and is the largest national institution in Vietnam responsible for the research and development. The NCST delegation was headed by Prof. Nguyen Khoa Son (Vice Director General of NCST), and the members were composed of the director of the Department of Planning and Finance, the director of the Department of International Co-operation, and other three delegates from NCST together with a delegate from Government Office of Vietnam. Dr. Kodama (Vice-president), Dr. Katsura (Trustee), and other AIST members had a discussion with them on the framework of collaboration and the high-priority research fields. The NCST delegation also made a study tour around Tsukuba Center and AIST Tokyo Waterfront.
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Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Visits AIST Tokyo Waterfront
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 On May 27th, 2003, Mr. Ansgar Gabrielsen, the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, made a tour of AIST Tokyo Waterfront.
The Minister had a discussion with AIST President Dr. Yoshikawa and Trustee Dr. Soga, focusing on AIST’s management policy and its achievement after reorganization.
Following the introduction of the Computational Biology Research Center and the Research Center of Macromolecular Technology, Mr. Gabrielsen visited the laboratory of the Digital Human Research Center.
Mr. Gabrielsen came to Japan for the signing ceremony of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Norway on Cooperation in Science and Technology. At Japan-Norway Science & Technology Seminar held prior to the ceremony, President Dr. Yoshikawa was awarded "The Royal Order of Merit".
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Presentation at Hannover Messe Ends Successfully
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 Hannover Messe, the world's top international fair where industry and technology meet was held in Hannover, Germany, on April 7th-12th, 2003. The fair has a history of over half a century.
AIST debuted with photocatalytic materials, attracting attention for their environmental friendliness. The event featured 6,200 booths and attracted 200,000 visitors. The event’s themes included microtechnology, factory automation, energy, materials, and Research and Development.
The AIST exhibit in the pavilion of Research and Industrial Technology centered on research and ideas linking technology to industry. The booth attracted about 2,000 visitors mainly interested in photocatalytic technology, the AIST organization, and technology transfer from such leading enterprises as Volkswagen, Ferrari, Hoechst, BASF, MERCK, DuPont, Helmholtz Research Centers, Seimens, Fraunhofer Research Institute, and European universities together with buyers from many countries.
The exhibition was a great success, likely due to the large number of samples displayed. Certainly, it indicated the considerable interest in photocatalytic technology in Europe.
This led to many business discussions on possible research cooperation, practical applications, transfer of samples, import and sales contracts, and negotiations for technology transfer, involving major European enterprises, universities, and research institutes.
In the Forum of Industry Trends at another site, AIST presented overviews of its work and photocatalytic technology. The result was a major accomplishment featuring the quality and potential of AIST.
Becoming a regular at such a great fairs should provide AIST researchers with considerable incentive and an exceptional opportunity for presenting their research accomplishments.
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 From February 26th to 28th, AIST organized an exhibition, "nano tech 2003 + Future", jointly with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization and Japan External Trade Organization, both of which are affiliated with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The exhibition was one of the world's biggest events on nanotechnology, which drew international attention as a fundamental technology for the realization of a highly-sophisticated information society in the 21st century. This technology is also indispensable for the sustainable development of society in harmony with the environment. A large number of governmental institutions and companies from 23 countries participated in the exhibition. The program of events included various seminars on the participating countries' strategies, projects and industrial trends, panel discussions on the issues of current research and development projects and future prospects, lectures by Nobel prize scientists, symposiums, introductions of research projects, innovative technologies, products etc.
Taking this opportunity for publicizing the research results and promoting the practical application of the technology, AIST held an exhibition covering 38 subjects and 19 presentations. During the international meeting, AIST hosted a technical symposium on the subject of nano length standards as well as a panel discussion focusing on the efforts in Asian countries. A study tour at AIST Tsukuba was also organized for the participants from Asia.
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