Japan and New Zealand meet on science collaboration

The meeting in Wellington earlier this month was an opportunity to reaffirm our strong bilateral science relationship, review existing collaboration and discuss potential areas for future cooperation.

New Zealand and Japanese scientists have been collaborating for more than 20 years, particularly on biotechnology, natural hazards, health, environmental research, and information and communication technologies.

The relationship was formalised in 2009 when the Japan Science and Technology Cooperation Arrangement was signed. Last year the Government announced an investment of up to $8 million in joint research with Japan on advanced technologies, including renewable energy.

The recent Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology was the fourth under the Arrangement with the last meeting 5 years ago.

MBIE and Japanese officials discussed the research, science and innovation goals New Zealand and Japan share and the ambitious science-led policies, initiatives and programmes both have introduced in recent years to deliver on these. They noted international collaboration, including regional initiatives, will play a key role in scientific progress.

After the meeting, GNS Science and Japan’s National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. This will enable greater exchange of data and insights and the opportunity for Japanese and New Zealand scientists to learn from each other about different approaches to disaster risk reduction.

The next Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology will be held in Japan.