Organizer: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Co-organizer: Kyoto University Purpose: Amid concerns about the decline in Japan's scientific and technological capabilities, we are pleased to announce the Science Japan Meeting 2025 with the theme of "Enhancing Science in Japan Through Industry-Academia Collaboration." This important conference will bring key figures from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), such as the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Science and its sister journals, to Japan. They will join experts from Japan's top class academic institutions and those involved in industry-academia collaboration to discuss and make recommendations on critical issues related to the enhancement of science in Japan. At this meeting, we will examine the latest trends in research and development and the current state of scientific publishing, bringing together experts from a wide range of fields, including academia, companies involved in the implementation of research outcomes, and national organizations responsible for promoting science and technology. We aim to create a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences, exploring the path forward together to pave the way for the future of science in Japan. We sincerely invite and seek the participation and cooperation of all those who contribute to the enhancement of science in Japan.
Date: March 10, 2025 (Monday) 13:00-20:00 (including a reception) Location: Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall (Centennial Hall, International Exchange Hall) (Address: Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-8501, JAPAN) Organizer: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Co-organizer: Kyoto UniversitySupport: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Council on Competitiveness-Nippon (COCN), New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Kyoto PrefectureSecretariat: Science Japan Office (c/o ASCA Corporation)Participants: Pre-registration required Researchers whose research articles have been published in Science and its sister journals - Researchers affiliated with universities, research institutions, and companies - Industry professionals involved in the implementation of research outcomes - Students (undergraduate and graduate students) - Government officials, media representatives, etc.Participation fee: FreeNumber of expected participants: approx. 300
Speakers (in order of appearance, titles omitted): Bill Moran, Publisher of the Science Family of Journals Bill Moran, Publisher of the Science Family of Journals Bill Moran is currently the Publisher of the Science Family of Journals. In his role, Bill and the publishing team are responsible for content, rights and permissions, licensing, scientific meetings, publishing collaborations, advertising, outreach, Science Careers and all publishing operations.
Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief of the Science Family of Journals Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief of the Science Family of Journals Holden Thorp became Editor-in-Chief of the Science Family of Journals on 28 October 2019. He came to Science from Washington University, where he was provost from 2013 to 2019 and professor from 2013 to 2023. He is currently a professor at George Washington University and on leave to serve as the Editor-in-Chief at Science.
Mitinori Saitou, Director, Insitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University Mitinori Saitou, Director, Insitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University Mitinori Saitou received his M.D. and Ph.D. (under Prof. Shoichiro Tsukita) from the Kyoto University, and performed his postdoctoral work at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute (with Prof. Azim Surani). He was appointed team leader at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in 2003. He was appointed Professor at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine in 2009, and Director of the JST ERATO program in 2011. He was appointed Professor at the Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS) and Director of Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi) in 2018. His work focuses on the mechanism and reconstitution in vitro of germ cell development in mice, non-human primates including great apes, and humans.
Tetsuya Mizumoto, Executive Director, The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Tetsuya Mizumoto, Executive Director, The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Nagahiro Minato, President, Kyoto University Nagahiro Minato, President, Kyoto University After graduating from Kyoto University’s Faculty of Medicine in 1975, Dr. Minato worked as an associate researcher at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine from 1977–80, before receiving a doctorate in medicine from Kyoto University in 1983. Following clinical practice at the Kyoto University Hospital, he was appointed as professor of immunology and cell biology at the university’s Graduate School of Medicine in 1992, where he served as dean from 2010–14. His main interest is immunology, a field in which he has published approximately 220 scientific papers throughout his career. In 2002, he invented PD-1 checkpoint blockade cancer immunotherapy with Dr. Tasuku Honjo. After serving as Kyoto University’s provost and executive vice-president, Dr. Minato was appointed as president in 2020.
Susumu Kitagawa, Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University Susumu Kitagawa, Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University Susumu Kitagawa, obtained Ph.D. degree at Kyoto University, is now Distinguished Professor at KUIAS and iCeMS. He serves as Kyoto University's Executive Vice-President for Research Promotion from 2024. Kitagawa pioneered the Chemistry of porous coordination polymers (PCPs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), predicting their flexible framework, and developing applications in gas storage, separation, and conversion. He coined the term "soft porous crystals" (SPC), catalyzing a field now integral to materials chemistry. Kitagawa envisions a future where porous materials drive advancements across environmental, energy, resource, and health sectors, labeling the 21st century the "age of gas." His contributions have garnered numerous accolades, including awards from the Chemical Society of Japan, The Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese Government (2011), the Japan Academy Award (2016), and Chemistry for the Future Solvay Prize (2017). Kitagawa's impact extends through memberships in the Japan Academy, Foreign Member of Royal Society, and significant recognition as a highly cited researcher (2014 - 2022).
David H Kornhauser, Director of Global Communications, Kyoto University - Panel discussion moderator David H Kornhauser, Director of Global Communications, Kyoto University David Kornhauser facilitates interaction with global media for the Kyoto University community. Previously pr head for KyotoU’s iCeMS and then KURA, David has extensive international communications experience, having served with the United States foreign service in China, Austria, and Japan; Japanese television and government in Washington DC; and corporate and public sector communications in Japan. He has appeared as a commentator on NHK World’s Science View since 2021. David majored in physics and then continued in international relations in graduate school. He is a native of Honolulu HI and is fluent in English, Japanese, and German.
Program: 13:00 – Opening Title: AAAS and Science Publishing - Latest Global Trends Bill Moran, Publisher of the Science Family of Journals
13:20 – Keynote Speech: Title: Science: Present and Future of Science Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief of the Science Family of Journals
14:00 – Speech 1 Title: Ever-Present Challenges of the Research World Mitinori Saitou, Director, Insitute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University
14:30 – Speech 2 Title: Research Funding in a Changing Environment Executive Director, The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
15:00 – Sponsored Session: Title: Current status and challenges in research and development Coffee Break
16:00 – Panel Discussion: What Can We Do to Enhance Science? Moderator: David H Kornhauser, Director of Global Communications, Kyoto University
17:00 – Closing Nagahiro Minato, President, Kyoto University
18:00 – Networking Message from Susumu Kitagawa, Executive Vice-President, Kyoto University 20:00 – End
Registration Form for Science Japan Meeting 2025: Support: Japan Science and Technology Agency Japan Society for the Promotion Science Council on Competitiveness-Nippon New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization Kyoto Prefecture Sponsored Session: Speaker: Adarsh Sandhu Speaker: Hiroyuki Kanda Sponsors: Noster Inc. Rigaku Holdings Corporation WPI Hiroshima University International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter/WPI-SKCM2 Osaka Metropolitan University Seikagaku Corporation Cosmo Bio Co., Ltd. USACO Corporation American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world's largest general scientific society and a non-profit organization. Since its founding in 1848, AAAS has been dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of all people. It contributes to the formulation of science policy, promotes educational activities, enhances diversity in the scientific community, and fosters international collaboration. The journal "Science," published by AAAS, was first issued in 1880 and is one of the most prestigious academic journals in the world, with funding from notable figures such as Thomas Edison. "Science" disseminates groundbreaking and influential information, including the publication of academic papers and reviews of research findings, and boasts the largest circulation among scientific journals. It is a highly respected academic journal sought after by scientists and stakeholders worldwide.
Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall The "Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall," which will serve as the venue this time, was constructed in 1925 as a symbol of Kyoto University. The design was overseen by Goichi Takeda, a professor in the architecture department at the time, and the clock was ordered from Siemens in Germany, making it Japan's first large electric clock. In 2003, as part of the university's centennial anniversary project, renovation work was carried out. While preserving the original exterior and interior ambiance, the building was transformed with the incorporation of the latest seismic isolation technology. It was reborn as a venue for academic exchange and a platform for disseminating information from Kyoto University to society, featuring facilities such as the "Centennial Hall" and the "International Exchange Hall."
Related Links: Proceedings of the 1st Science Japan Meeting (in Japanese)
Program of the 2nd Science Japan Meeting (in Japanese)
Final Report of the 2nd Science Japan Meeting (in Japanese)
Contact Information: Science Japan Office (c/o ASCA Corporation) Rie Rambelli Phone: +81-3-6459-4174rrambelli@aaas.org Miyuki Tani Phone: +81-6-6202-6272mtani@aaas.org
Address: Osaka HQ Hiranomachi Yachiyo Bldg., 1-8-13 Hiranomachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0046, Japan Phone: +81-6-6202-6272 / Fax: +81-6-6202-6271 Tokyo Office Shibaura TY Bldg., 1-14-5 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0023, Japan Phone: +81-3-6459-4174 / Fax: +81-3-6459-4175