On April 15, 2025, the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Institutes of Innovation for Future Society and the Shinshu University Institute for Aqua Regeneration (ARG) held an opening ceremony for the newly established Shinshu University-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Liaison Office at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
The office, located within the Materials Research Laboratory for Green Vehicle at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, was established under the “Agreement on Promoting Collaboration between the Shinshu University Institute for Aqua Regeneration and the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Institutes of Innovation for Future Society” that was signed on April 1, 2025.
The liaison office aims to deepen collaboration in personnel exchange and academic research between ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and Shinshu University with the goal of advancing water-related research fields in Japan.
Following the opening ceremony, the first “ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-Shinshu University Collaborative Industry-Academia Workshop” was held at the Engineering and Science Building.
At the workshop, Professor Katsuya Teshima, Director of the Institute for ARG at Shinshu University, delivered a lecture titled “Connecting Water and Urban Development Through Shindai Crystal.” Next, Professor Nagahiro Sait¨ of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Institute of Materials Innovation delivered a lecture on the “Development of Electrocatalyst Layers Using Solution Plasma.” A lively exchange of ideas followed both presentations.
Background of the Agreement
In December 2023, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) approved the proposal for the Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS) with Shinshu University as the lead institution and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø as a participating institution. Building on its strengths in aqua regeneration research, the program aims to develop next-generation solutions to help restore Earth as a water-rich planet through inter-university collaboration. To realize this vision, Shinshu University established the Institute for Aqua Regeneration (ARG) in March 2024.
The Institute for ARG aggregates world-leading research in water circulation, water treatment, and water-derived hydrogen energy. It is engages in R&D and demonstration projects aimed at solving water-related challenges around the world, including the construction of demonstration towns to address local issues.
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Institutes of Innovation for Future Society seek to address societal issues aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to foster next-generation talent. Among the various institutes, the Institute of Materials Innovation leverages its strengths in materials science to develop devices and applications that drive industrialization.
The agreement aims to strengthen collaborative research in water-related fields between the two universities and foster international communication.
Summary of the Agreement
Effective period: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2029
Areas of collaboration:- Exchange between researchers, students, and support staff
Joint research, symposia, workshops, etc.
Shared use of research facilities
Exchange of academic materials and information
Other activities necessary to fulfill the objectives of the agreement
The agreement may be extended with mutual consent.
This article was originally published in Japanese and has been translated and edited for clarity and readability by the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø International Communications Office while preserving the original content’s intent. The original Japanese version is available .
