Attendance at a Preparatory Meeting for the G7 Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Tsukuba Ibaraki and visit to Tsukuba (National Institute for Materials Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Cyberdyne, Inc.)
Minister Shimajiri, exchanging opinions with Director Esaki, Governor Hashimoto,
and Mayor Ichihara (Tsukuba International Congress Center)
Minister Shimajiri, listening to an explanation of ultra-high-performance sensors
for mobile breath/blood testing from Dr. Genki Yoshikawa,
MANA Indepedent Scientist (National Institute for Materials Science)
Minister Shimajiri, exchanging opinions with astronaut Mr. Soichi Noguchi and
Ms. Yurika Nakano, flight director (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
Minister Shimajiri, operating the HAL robot suit after
receiving instructions from Dr. Yoshiyuki Sankai,
ImPACT Program Manager (left) (Cyberdyne, Inc.)
On December 9, 2015, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Ms. Aiko Shimajiri, attended a preparatory meeting for the G7 Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Tsukuba, Ibaraki to be held at the Tsukuba International Congress Center in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The minister also visited the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Cyberdyne.
At the Tsukuba International Congress Center (the venue of the Ministers' Meeting in May 2016), Minister Shimajiri met with Dr. Leo Esaki, Director of the Tsukuba International Congress Center (winner of the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physics), Ibaraki Governor Masaru Hashimoto, and Tsukuba Mayor Kenichi Ichihara to exchange opinions in advance of the Ministers' Meeting.
At NIMS, the minister observed fluorescent materials, ultra-high-performance sensors for mobile breath/blood testing, vibration dampers, and ultra-heat-resistant alloys. At JAXA, the minister received an overview of space utilization by satellites and space environment utilization by manned space activities. The minister also met with Astronaut Soichi Noguchi and learned the role of Japanese Experiment Module for International Space Station, and its Mission Control Room.
At Cyberdyne, Inc., the minister listened to a presentation on an innovative cybernetic system for stress-free nursing care by Dr. Yoshiyuki Sankai, Program Manager of the Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies program (ImPACT). After the presentation, the Minister put on and operated a HAL robot suit.