May 2nd ~ May 5th, 2019
Science and Technology
MEXT Minister Shibayama met with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Jim Bridenstine and the Executive Secretary of the National Space Council Scott Pace to exchange views on space cooperation coinciding with the minister’s attendance of the US-Japan Joint High-Level Meeting.
The officials reconfirmed the many years of committed partnership between both agencies in the field of space and agreed to enhance their partnership. In detail, the officials exchanged views on boosting cooperation in space science including lunar exploration and agreed on the importance of accelerating studies in low Earth orbit satellites including the International Space Station (ISS).
In the meeting with NASA Administrator Bridenstine, the parties signed a Joint Statement for Promotion of Cooperation in the Field of Civil Space Activities. The agreement aims for both parties to make efforts to further strengthen cooperation in space R&D including the acceleration of their discussion on the Gateway lunar outpost.
The Japanese delegation also attended many other venues including a gathering on Advanced Intelligence (AI) policy held in Washington attended by the Japanese Minister of State for Special Missions of the Cabinet Office Hirai Takuya and US Deputy Assistant to the President Michael Kratsios. The officials introduced and exchanges views on respective AI policies. Minister Hirai also met with US Deputy Secretary of Education Mitchell Zais to discuss and affirm the importance of utilizing cutting-edge technology in education and promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.
The delegation also flew to Boston to visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The trip closed in Hawaii with a visit to the Subaru Telescope.
The delegation’s US visit was substantial for providing insight on the future of university reform in Japan, promoting international cultural exchange, and obtaining useful information to advance academic research in areas including astronomy. MEXT will utilize the knowledge gained from the trip to continue advancing measures to enhance educational policy, academic studies and research and development.
★ Link to joint statement on space exploration
Photo 1 NASA-MEXT Joint Statement signed by NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and MEXT Minister Masahiko Shibayama
Photo 2 NASA-MEXT Joint Statement Signing Ceremony
Photo 3 Meeting with US Department of Education Deputy Secretary Mitchell Zais
Photo 4 At the US Department of Education with Deputy Secretary Mitchell Zais
Photo 5 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Presentation by MIT Vice President Sanjay Sarma on the university’s open learning program)
Photo 6 At MIT (MEXT Minister, Senior Associate Dean for Open Learning at MIT Shigeru Miyagawa, MIT Professor Mitchel Resnick)
Photo 7 MEXT Minister at the Subaru Telescope
Photo 8 MEXT Minister inspecting main body of Subaru Telescope