Several changes in management of Japanese bodies related to science, technology and innovation were announced along with the new fiscal year starting from April 1, 2020. The new appointments include that of the head of the public research institution for applied research and the funding agency for R&D in the field of medicine, as well as the advisor to the Japanese government.

Mr. Kazuhiko ISHIMURA, former Chairman of Asahi Glass Co., was appointed as President of The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). He follows Dr. Ryoji CHUBACHI who led Sony Corp. as President and later on as Vice Chairman.

At the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Dr. Yoshinao MISHIMA assumed the post of President. Since 2019 he was the Executive Director, Technology Strategy Center, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and served as President of the Tokyo Institute of Technology from 2012 to 2018.

Dr. Yoichiro MATSUMOTO, President of the Tokyo University of Science, assumed the post Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs (MOFA). He replaces Dr. Teruo KISHI, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, who was the first Advisor.

It was also reported in the news that Dr. Chieko ASAKAWA will become the new Director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in April 2021. The computer scientist and IBM Fellow will succeed former astronaut Dr. Mamoru MOHRI who has been in office for almost 20 years since the museum’s inauguration.