The 14th Science and Technology Ministers’ Roundtable

Minister Matsuyama explaining about Japan’s Science and Technology
(S&T) policy and the discussion points of the Roundtable

Talks by participating ministers and science advisors
at an open discussion session

Group Photo

Bilateral Meeting with Dr. Fidel Angel Castro Díaz Balart,
Scientific Advisor of Cuba (left)

Meeting with Prof. Frédérique Vidal, French Minister for
Higher Education, Research and Innovation (left)

 On October 1, 2017, the 14th Science and Technology Ministers’ Roundtable was held in Kyoto. It was chaired by Minister Matsuyama, Japan’s Minister of State for S&T Policy, and participants included Ministers responsible for S&T Policy, science advisers to the head of states, and other representatives from 25 countries, including Japan. The theme of this year’s Roundtable was “The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for Future Society – Human-Centered Society to Be Realized through Society 5.0 –.”

 At the Roundtable, participants discussed the importance of addressing common challenges, such as aging society, health, food, water, and IT, in realizing society 5.0, a new concept of a future society proposed by Japan. They also shared their view that, in doing so, it is important to promote the various measures, including human resource development (i.e. through secondary education), industry-academic-government collaboration, regulatory reforms, R&D investments, and international cooperation.

 Minister Matsuyama also held bilateral talks with Prof. Frédérique Vidal, French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and Dr. Fidel Angel Castro Díaz Balart, Scientific Advisor of Cuba.

Prof. Vidal and Minister Matsuyama reaffirmed the significance of bilateral cooperation in the area of S&T and space policies. They also shared their thoughts about how important human resource development, support for female scientists, and industry-academic-government collaboration are in promoting STI. Meanwhile, Minister Matsuyama invited Prof. Vidal to the Second International Space Exploration Forum (ISEF2) scheduled to be held next March in Tokyo. He also asked the French minister to encourage the companies from his country to participate in a large-scale field operational test for automated driving systems. In response, Prof. Vidal said she would give positive consideration to the two requests.

 Dr. Castro and Minister Matsuyama discussed the importance of nurturing the younger generations in promoting STI and continuous promotion of knowledge exchange toward the year 2019, which marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.