Minister Matsuyama's Business Trip to the United States of America

Minister Matsuyama and Mr. Kratsios, Deputy Assistant to the President

Minister Matsuyama and Ms. Córdova, Director of National Science Foundation

Minister Matsuyama and Mr. Shanahan, Deputy Secretary of Defense
（Provided by U.S. Department of Defense）

Minister Matsuyama and Mr. Pace, Executive Director of the National Space Council

At Japan House in Los Angeles

 From January 5 to 15, Mr. Matsuyama, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Space Policy, and Cool Japan Strategy, visited the United States to meet with government officials and visit related organizations.

 In Washington D.C., Minister Matsuyama met with Mr. Kratsios, Deputy Assistant to the President, and exchanged views on science and technology cooperation between Japan and the U.S. In the meeting, they agreed to the early holding of a U.S.-Japan Joint High-Level Committee Meeting (Ministerial) on Science and Technology Cooperation through diplomatic channels, when the Assistant to the President of Science and Technology Policy is appointed.

 Minister Matsuyama also met with Ms. Córdova, Director of National Science Foundation, and got her support to expand mutual cooperation in the area of quantum technology, for example, toward the U.S.-Japan Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Furthermore, in the meeting with Mr. Shanahan, Deputy Secretary of Defense, they discussed and recognized the importance of space security cooperation, and agreed to promote joint activities.

 Additionally, Minister Matsuyama discussed with Mr. Pace, Executive Director of the National Space Council, about “The 2nd International Space Exploration Forum (ISEF2),” which is held in March in Tokyo. Mr. Pace expressed his intention to attend the Forum in person.

 In addition to the meetings with the above government officials, Minister Matsuyama visited the organizations to explore possible programs to support venture companies, promote universities reform, improve research capabilities, and promote Cool Japan strategy. Minister Matsuyama visited venture companies such as “Orbital Insight” and “Planet,” and an accelerator called "500 Startups,” and the University of California at Berkeley, and Stanford University in the San Francisco Bay Area. He also visited the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Hawaii Observatory in Hawaii, and the Japan House in Los Angeles.