As in previous years, the event attracted a high-level research and innovation audience involving policy makers, funders, managers of research, as well as researchers and innovators. There were 60 participants and 70 observers from Europe and Japan.

The event was co-chaired by Dr. Patricia Flor, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan and Professor Takashi Shiraishi, a former President of GRIPS. The policy briefs were delivered by Mr. Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General, DG RTD, European Commission; Dr. Takahiro Ueyama, Executive Member, Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, Cabinet Office; and Mr. Yoshio Yamawaki, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The discussion on how to enhance EU-Japan collaboration in research and innovation was joined by high level representatives from Europe and Japan, including Ms. Matilda Ernkrans, Minister for Higher Education and Research of Sweden.

This event came at an important moment; Horizon Europe, the next EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme 2021-2027 (proposed budget of around 100 billion Euro) is being designed to bring together the triple objectives of smart innovation-led growth, inclusion and sustainability, as well as to direct innovation to solve the pressing global challenges of our time (cancer, climate change, CO2 emissions in cities, condition of soil and oceans). In Japan, the government is preparing the 6^th Science and Technology Basic, "Society 5.0" is being further implemented and the preparations to the Moonshot research programme that is expected to tackle declining birthrate and aging society, recover healthy global environment and pioneer new frontiers with S&T, is on the way.

This bilateral forum is fully in line with a Joint Vision towards a new strategic partnership in Research and Innovation between the European Commission and the Government of Japan, that was endorsed during the EU-Japan Summit in May 2015. One of the five domains of this partnership is 'Deepening mutual understanding of key STI policies' and this annual constitutes a key contribution towards this.

Science and Technology Ministerial Roundtable

On Sunday, 6 October, Mr. Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General, DG RTD, European Commission participated in the Science and Technology Ministerial Roundtable on the theme “STI for SDGs and Moonshot”, organized by the Cabinet Office of Japan. In his statement, Director-General Paquet emphasized the urgency of challenges that the global community faces and called for a drastic transition of our society. Research and Innovation and STI policies lie at the heart of this transition. Solutions can only be found via international cooperation. In seeking solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, common and shared values must prevail to establish a level playing field among stakeholders - public and private sector and also citizens.

Meeting with Koichi Hagiuda, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

On Sunday, 6 October, Mr. Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General, DG RTD, European Commission and Dr. Patricia Flor, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan met with Mr. Koichi Hagiuda, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan to exchange views on EU-Japan collaboration in research and innovation.

Meeting with Mr. Naokazu Takemoto, Minister for Science and Technology Policy

On Sunday, 6 October, Mr. Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General, DG RTD, European Commission and Dr. Patricia Flor, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan met with Mr. Naokazu Takemoto, Minister for Science and Technology Policy of Japan, to discuss how to further enhance research collaboration between Europe and Japan. One of ideas was to link the Moonshot research programme in Japan with Missions of Horizon Europe, the next EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme 2021-2027.