The Spanish Ambassador to Japan and a Counselor Visited iCONM
On April 20, Ambassador Íñigo de Palacio España and Mr. Fernando Curcio Ruigómez, Cultural and Scientific Counsellor of the Embassy of Spain in Tokyo, visited iCONM.
Prof. Kazunori Kataoka, Center Director of iCONM, delivered a welcome address and provided an overview of iCONM as an open innovation hub, along with an introduction to its research activities. During the session, Dr. Sabina Quader, Deputy Principal Research Scientist of iCONM, who has maintained long-standing collaborative research with Spanish universities, spoke about the historical ties between iCONM and Spain. This was followed by a presentation from Prof. Takanori Ichiki, Research Director of iCONM, introducing Project CHANGE (COI-NEXT Kawasaki). As Spain, like Japan, is experiencing a declining birthrate and an aging population, the project’s initiatives were of considerable interest. The visit continued with an exchange of views and a tour of the facility.
During the discussion, the Ambassador expressed strong interest in and understanding of iCONM and Project CHANGE. He also conveyed high appreciation for and support of the collaborative relationship in research and personnel exchange with the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain), with which iCONM signed an MOU in April 2022. Furthermore, he introduced a symposium on advanced science and technology scheduled to be held in Spain this November, aimed at strengthening and strategically developing cooperation between Spain and Japan, and extended a request for collaboration.
From iCONM, members with ties to Spain—including Visiting Scientist Cabral, Horacio (Professor at the University of Tokyo) and internship students from the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya—also participated, making it a valuable opportunity to further deepen ties between the two countries.
