Minister Yamaguchi Visits Kyoto University
October 5, 2014
Juichi Yamagiwa, Kyoto University President
Minister Yamaguchi, asking a question
Commemorative photo
with Kyoto University executive officers
Speech by CiRA Director Shinya Yamanaka
Minister Yamaguchi views cardiac muscle cells
through a microscope
Commemorative Photograph with Director Yamanaka
Minister Shunichi Yamaguchi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, visited Kyoto University on October 5 for discussions with university president Juichi Yamagiwa, who assumed duties on October 1. Minister Yamaguchi also took the opportunity to pay a visit to the university’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA).
President Yamagiwa, Nagahiro Minato (Executive Vice-President for Research, Planning, and Hospital Administration), and Shinji Asonuma (Executive Vice-President for Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration) described their approach to university management through a newly established executive officer system. The group also addressed how they are working to increase international competitiveness, and what measures they are taking to improve the research environment.
Minister Yamaguchi related to the group how Japan’s government had great expectations for Kyoto University research and that basic research was an important part of science, technology, and innovation in Japan. The Minister also stated the need to improve the research environment while linking research results to advancements in innovation.
Following these discussions, Minister Yamaguchi was led to the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), where Dr. Shinya Yamanaka serves as director. Dr. Yamanaka discussed the current status of CiRA research, research results, and structures. Minister Yamaguchi and Dr. Yamanaka then exchanged opinions and ideas. Following this discussion, Minister Yamaguchi toured the research laboratory facilities, including those for clinical research utilizing iPS cells (cardiac muscle cells).
After concluding the tour, Minister Yamaguchi commented that Japan was a world leader in iPS cell research. The Minister also stressed the importance of creating an environment for clinical treatment—including research systems—that can answer patient expectations for faster adoption of clinical applications.