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5th Anniversary of coming into force of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Japan

EU News 104/2016

2016/03/29

5 years ago, on 29 March 2011 the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Japan.

This agreement aims to encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative activities in the areas of science and technology for peaceful purposes between the EU and Japan by:

- mutual and equitable contributions and benefits;
- reciprocal access to research and development programmes and projects and facilities for visiting researchers;
- timely exchange of information;
- promotion of a knowledge-based society for the benefit of the economic and social development of Japan and the European Union.

The Agreement also established a Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, to exchange information and views on Science and Technology policy issues, to identify priority areas for cooperation and promote reciprocal access to research and innovation programmes. The Joint Committee has met three times, in 2011, 2013 and in 2015, when it adopted a 'Joint Vision' towards a new strategic partnership in Research and Innovation.

For details, please see http://www.euinjapan.jp/en/relations/science-research/

In these five years, thanks to the close co-operation between several Japanese Ministries and funding agencies and their European Commission counterparts, and through the active involvement of academia, research institutions and industry on both sides, it became possible to establish strong collaboration in several research and innovation fields of mutually recognised strategic importance, in particular: aeronautics, ICT, rare earths, photovoltaics and super-conductivity. Collaboration of a more "bottom-up" nature also exists in several other areas where Japanese academia and industry decided to join European counterparts in EU projects.

There is also an active Policy dialogue on issues such as Open Science and Foresight, and enlarged outreach activities towards the public, often conducted with close cooperation with Member States.

The EU Delegation to Japan, and in particular the S&T Section, extend their gratitude to all those who have been promoting STI collaboration between the EU and Japan.

The full text of the Agreement can be downloaded here.