Visit by French Minister for Economic Regeneration, with Responsibility for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Innovation and the Digital Economy
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.) | (Group photo) |
Visit by Special Representative of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs for French-Japanese Partnership
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.) | (Group photo) |
Visit by the Heads of NSTDA (Thailand) and CNRS (France) /AIST Advisory Board Meeting
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.
 |
 |
| (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
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.
 |
| Welcome address by AIST Senior Vice-president Ichimura |
Visit by Representatives of NANOTEC (National Nanotechnology Center, Thailand)
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.
 |
| 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 |
