The Office of Global Affairs at the University of Connecticut was honored to welcome delegates from the Consulate General of Japan in Boston to the UConn Storrs campus last week. The visit included discussions on expanding research engagement between UConn and Japanese researchers, strengthening collaboration in quantum technology and innovation and entrepreneurship, and advancing J-NEXUS (Japan–New England Nexus for Innovation), a platform developed by the consulate to foster connections between New England and Japanese companies and researchers.

The delegation included Seiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in Boston; Hideo Takahashi, Vice Consul for Economic Affairs; and Yurie Karikomi, Researcher for Science and Technology.

During their time on campus, the delegation toured the laboratories of Professor Tomoyasu Mani (Chemistry), Professor Kazunori Hoshino (Biomedical Engineering), and Professor Akiko Nishiyama (Physiology and Neurobiology). They also visited the Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, led by Dr. Chris O’Connell, and the Innovation Partnership Building, led by Michael DiDonato. In addition, the delegation met with Professor Mayu Inaba-Oguro and Professor Hideyuki Oguro, Cell Biology Principal Investigators at UConn Health.

The visit concluded with a productive meeting involving President Maric, Dr. Ngozi Taffe, Associate Vice President for Global Affairs, and Professor Fumiko Hoeft, Dean of UConn Waterbury and Professor of Psychological Sciences. Discussions focused on opportunities to deepen UConn’s longstanding relationship with Japan and expand future areas of collaboration.

The engagement was facilitated by Dr. Allison Casaly, Global Partnerships Manager. The discussions reinforced shared priorities and helped lay the foundation for continued partnership between UConn and institutions and organizations across Japan.

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