Tokyo mars 2025

The text is written by Shiori Schules who works at OSI in Tokyo.

Joint Statement on the Strategic Partnership between Japan and Sweden Issued

Sweden and Japan have taken steps towards a deepened collaboration in new areas lately, and the Office of Science and Innovation has supported the initiatives in various ways. At the end of 2024, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and three ministers (Ebba Busch, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry, Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, and Pål Jonson, Minister for Defense) visited Japan and issued a Joint Statement on the Strategic Partnership as well as a signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on Energy and Innovation with Japan.

The joint statement also includes the field of science and technology, and the Prime Ministers, Kristersson and Ishiba confirmed their intention to explore areas of cooperation to promote science, research and advanced technology initiatives in a wide range of fields, with a focus on priority areas such as energy and environment, ocean research including the Arctic, quantum science and technology, space, critical minerals, advanced materials, ICT, medical care, life sciences, health and welfare technology, by taking advantage of opportunities such as the Joint Committee meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation.

The two leaders also confirmed that they would work together to promote inclusive digitalization, including e-government, and promote Data free flow with trust (DFFT), and shared the importance of working together on AI in the international arena, including the realization of safe, secure and reliable AI systems and the newly established integrated partnership with the Global Partnership (GPAI). They also committed to deepening joint research on 6G development and supporting the deployment of secure and reliable communications infrastructure, such as the construction of fiber optic cables across the Arctic.

In addition to the above, OSI Tokyo made a significant contribution to the conclusion of memorandum of cooperation (MoC) on energy and innovation between the Klimat och Näringsdepartementet and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The areas of cooperation include industry, research and innovation, enterprise, and human resource development, with particular focus on nuclear energy (innovative and small modular reactors (SMR), nuclear supply chains, and civil nuclear energy, including radioactive waste), batteries, mobility, the circular economy, and startups.

Polar Connect event

The Embassy in Tokyo hosted an event for the Polar Connect project in December 2024. This initiative aims to establish a robust and reliable fiber connection between Europe and Asia through the Arctic Ocean. The project is a collaborative effort between the Swedish Research Council, NORDUnet, and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, among others.

The event highlighted the project’s goals, including creating a faster and more secure data route between the Nordic region, Japan, and South Korea. The fiber optic cable will also provide valuable data for climate research in the Arctic.

The event gathered important stakeholders from Japan and emphasized the importance of international collaboration and the potential benefits for both digital infrastructure and scientific research.

Nobel Prize Dialogue Reception

On Saturday, March 8, at the time of the Nobel Prize Dialogue, the Embassy held  a reception for all concerned. “The Future of Life” is the theme of the Nobel Prize Dialogue, which was held on the following day, and speakers included Svante Pääbo, the 2022 laureate in physiology or medicine, and Akira Yoshino, the 2019 laureate in chemistry. It was an opportunity to think about the most sensible use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, genetic technology, quantum computing, and sustainable materials development, in order to bring the greatest benefits to humanity and all life on this planet.

The Future of Life, Nobel Prize Dialogue Tokyo 2025 (Nobelprize.org)

EXPO 2025 Osaka

This year, the world Expo will be held in Osaka and Kansai region from April 13th to October 13th. The theme of the exhibition is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The concept is not only to see the exhibition, but also to exchange ideas with 8 billion people around the world to “co-create” a future society, to create and disseminate new ideas by gathering the world’s wisdom, including advanced technologies, to solve common human challenges. Sweden shares the Nordic Pavilion with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway, and there are plans for ministers and business delegations from Sweden to visit Japan. The main events related to science and innovation will include as following: startup and innovation ecosystem; business summit; Nordic energy days; Nordic health care program; Nordic battery collaboration; innovation through collaboration (university cooperation); sustainability summit; arctic.

EXPO 2025 Osaka official website

EXPO 2025 Osaka, Business Sweden website

Calls for ASPIRE program (JST) opened

The ASPIRE (Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem) program is a research funding initiative designed to support researchers in conducting international collaborative research. It is primarily operated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). This time, JST's ASPIRE program call is open.

JST's ASPIRE Program

The JST ASPIRE program aims to establish international networks with top-level researchers and promote the participation of Japanese researchers in the global research community. Here are the main features:

• Fields: AI and information technology, biotechnology, energy, materials, quantum, semiconductors and telecommunications.
• Funding Scale: Up to 380 million yen (up to 500 million yen including indirect costs).
• Funding Period: Up to 5 years.
• Application deadline: Monday, May 12, 2025, 12:00 PM JST.

These programs provide essential support for Japanese researchers to thrive on the international stage. At the same time, it promotes international joint research, so it’s essential for Swedish researchers to establish a partnership with Japanese researchers. This collaboration is a key requirement for the program. For more details, please visit the official websites of each organization.

JST ASPIRE program: ASPIRE 2025 Call for Japan based researchers