National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
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Overseas visitors

AIST welcomes researchers and visitors from abroad with high interest in various research fields. AIST also has dispatched its staff overseas. Followings are some examples, and a list of visits over the last few years.

Visit by French Minister for Economic Regeneration, with Responsibility for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Innovation and the Digital Economy

March 29th, 2013

A delegation headed by Her Excellency Ms. Fleur Pellerin, French Minister for Economic Regeneration, with Responsibility for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Innovation and the Digital Economy, and His Excellency Mr. Christian Masset, Ambassador of France to Japan visited the CNRS-AIST JRL (Joint Robotics Laboratory), UMI3218/CRT in AIST Tsukuba, where collaborative research projects are being conducted by AIST and CNRS researchers.

Following remarks by Dr. Shingo Ichimura (Senior Vice-President, AIST) and an overview of robotics research by Dr. Toshihiko Kanayama (Vice-President, AIST) and others, a demonstration was given on the latest humanoid robot on which researches are currently being conducted.

Ms.  Pellerin (center) receiving  explanation on operations Photo Group photo
(Ms. Pellerin (center) receiving explanation on operations.) (Group photo)

Visit by Special Representative of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs for French-Japanese Partnership

February 20th, 2013

Mr. Louis Schweitzer (Special Representative of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs) and His Excellency Mr. Christian Masset (Ambassador of France to Japan) came to AIST Tsukuba to visit the AIST-CNRS JRL (Joint Robotics Laboratory), which conducts collaborative projects between the two institutes.  Dr. Shingo Ichimura (Senior Vice-President, AIST) officially greeted the visitors and Dr. Toshihiko Kanayama (Vice-President, AIST) gave an introduction of robotics research. These were followed by a demonstration of a humanoid robot on which research activities are currently being conducted.

Mr. Schweitzer (center) receiving explanation on operations Photo Group photo
(Mr. Schweitzer (center) receiving explanation on operations.) (Group photo)

Visit by the Heads of NSTDA (Thailand) and CNRS (France) /AIST Advisory Board Meeting

February 8th, 2013

Members of AIST’s advisory board consisting of leading domestic and foreign experts from various related sectors gathered in Tsukuba for the 8th Advisory Board Meeting.  Dr. Thaweesak "Hugh" Koanantakool (President, NSTDA) and Dr. Alain Fuchs (President, CNRS) were among the participants, and fruitful discussions were conducted concerning AIST’s role to vitalize Japan’s industry.

Group photo1 Group photo2
(Left photo: Dr. Alain Fuchs and Dr. Thaweesak "Hugh" Koanantakool during the meeting, seated at the front row, third and fourth from the left, respectively.)

Visit by Canadian Participants of the Canada-Japan Joint Committee on Science and Technology

January 29th, 2013

Participants of the Canada-Japan Joint Science and Technology Committee meeting hosted by the Canadian and Japanese governments visited AIST Tsukuba.  Following talks with Dr. Ichimura, the visitors made a tour of AIST’s Geological Museum and Science Square Tsukuba.  As officials from organizations with whom AIST has a close relationship—namely the National Research Council (NRC) and the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC)—were among the visitors, separate meetings were held between AIST’s International Affairs Division and NRC, and also between GSC and AIST researchers headed by Dr. Tsukuda.

Group Photo of AIST-TISTR Mini-Workshop Photo
Welcome address by AIST Senior Vice-president Ichimura

Visit by Representatives of NANOTEC (National Nanotechnology Center, Thailand)

January 28th, 2013

A delegation from NANOTEC Thailand headed by Prof. Dr. Pairash Thajchayapong (Chairman of the Executive Board) and Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai (Executive Director) visited AIST Tsukuba for talks with Dr. Shingo Ichimura, Dr. Tomohiko Yamaguchi (AIST-NRI) and relevant AIST researchers.  A Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed by Dr. Yamaguchi and Prof. Sirirurg with a view to realizing a win-win relationship between both institutions in the field of nano-biotechnology through researcher exchanges and appropriate selection of collaborative research themes.

Group Photo of AIST-TISTR Mini-Workshop Photo
LOI Signing Ceremony from left: AIST Senior Vice-president Ichimura, AIST-NRI Director Yamaguchi, NANOTEC Executive Director Sirirurg Songsivilai and NANOTEC Chairman of the Executive Board Pairash Thajchayapong

Past Visitors

Date Country/Economy Title
2011/6 Indonesia Party of Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia, Headed by Rector Akhmaloka Visit AIST Tsukuba
2011/2 Norway Minister of Research and Higher Education of Norway Visits AIST Tsukuba
2010/8 Thailand NSTDA President of Thailand Visits AIST Tsukuba
2010/4 Russia Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Visits AIST Tsukuba
2010/3 France Secretary of State for the Development of the Capital Region of France Visits AIST Tsukuba
2009/10 Thailand Thai Minister of Science and Technology Visits AIST Tsukuba
- Ceremony for the Renewal of Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding -
2009/04 Serbia Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Visits Tokyo Akihabara Site
2008/10 Sudan Sudanese Minister of Science and Technology to AIST Tsukuba
2008/03 Thailand A Visit by Thailand Minister of Science and Technology
2007/10 Sri Lanka Minister of Science and Technology of Sri Lanka Visits AIST Tsukuba
2007/07 Switzerland A Visit by Pascal Couchepin, Vice-President of the Swiss Federation
2007/05 Czech Republic A Visit to Tsukuba by Senior Vice Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of Czech Republic, President Yoshikawa becomes a Member of the Industrial Academy of Czech Republic
2007/04 Vietnam Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment Vice-Minister visits Tsukuba Center
2007/04 EU European Commission Member Reding Visits AIST Tsukuba Center
2007/03 Vietnam Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Visits Tsukuba Center
2006/09 Canada A Delegation of NRC Canada Visits AIST
2006/08 Thailand H. R. H. Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand Visits AIST
AIST Participated in the National Science and Technology Fair 2006 in Thailand
2006/06 Korea Director of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH)Visits AIST
2006/06 UK British Journalists Visit AIST Tsukuba Center