OCTOBER 27, 2025
The 5th Chile–Japan Academic Forum / Japan–Latin America Academic Conference 2025 was held at Kyoto University’s Uji Campus from September 29 to October 3, 2025. Including 64 participants from Chile, more than 200 people from universities, research institutes, government agencies, and private companies attended the forum in person, making it a valuable opportunity to further advance academic exchange.
The opening ceremony took place on September 29 at the Kihada Hall of Kyoto University. Distinguished guests from Chile included H.E. Mr. Ricardo G. Rojas, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to Japan; Dr. Rosa Devés, Rector of the University of Chile; Dr. Christian González-Billault, Vice Rector of the University of Chile; Dr. María Angélica Fellenberg, Vice Rector of Pontifical Catholic University of Chile; Dr. María Andrea Rodríguez, Vice Rector of the University of Concepción; and Dr. Carlos Ladrix, Deputy Director of Applied Research at the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID). From Japan, the ceremony was attended by Prof. Tetsuo Sawaragi, Executive Vice President of Kyoto University; Prof. Tomoharu Hori, Director of the Disaster Prevention Research Institute of Kyoto University; Prof. Tomohiro Morio, Executive Vice President of the Institute of Science Tokyo; Prof. Mamoru Doi, Director General of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ); Mr. Jun Sawada, Chairman of NTT Corporation, Vice Chair of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), and Co-Director of the Kyoto Institute of Philosophy; and Mr. Masami Matsumoto, Director of the Human Resource Development Department and Research Program Department at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), among many other distinguished guests.
At the opening ceremony, Prof. Shin-ichi Ohkoshi, Dean of the Graduate School of Science and Executive Advisor to the President (Vice President Equivalent), delivered remarks on behalf of the University of Tokyo. Referring to the origins of the Forum in the 9th UTokyo Forum held in Chile and Brazil in 2013, he reviewed the decade-long progress of the Chile–Japan Academic Forum series since 2014. He highlighted how the discussions have deepened and diversified across disciplines in response to evolving social challenges over time. Prof. Ohkoshi also expressed his gratitude to the universities, partner institutions, and corporations that have provided the knowledge, technology, and environment essential for research, fostered practical opportunities for new challenges, and contributed to building strong and sustainable relationships. Following four keynote lectures in the fields of seismology and disaster prevention, architecture, biomedical engineering, and medical science, including a talk by Prof. Makoto Nakanishi, former Director of the Institute of Medical Science, the reception was held at the Obaku Plaza.
On September 30 and October 1, six thematic workshops were held. Prof. Satoshi Ide (Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science) led the workshop on “Earth Sciences, Climate Change, and Disaster Preparedness”, which addressed challenges faced by Japan, Chile, and Mexico. Other workshops covered topics such as “Ecology, Sustainable Architecture & Urban Planning”, “Engineering and Science for Health”, “Social, Cultural, and Educational Challenges”, and “Astronomy & Astronomical Instrumentation”, an area with a long tradition of Japan–Chile collaboration through projects such as ASTE, ALMA, and TAO. These workshops featured active discussions across both natural and social sciences. The newly established workshop on “Quality of Life, Food, and Wellbeing Solutions for the Elderly” achieved remarkable outcomes, with participation not only from Japanese food-related companies but also from representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
On October 2, summary reports from each of the six workshops were presented, followed by three keynote lectures in the fields of urban engineering, philosophy, and food science. At the closing ceremony, Vice-Rectors Dr. María Angélica Fellenberg (Pontifical Catholic University of Chile), Dr. María Andrea Rodríguez (University of Concepción), and Dr. Christian González-Billault (University of Chile) each delivered closing remarks. Subsequently, Prof. Kotaro Kohno, Chair of the Organizing Committee, expressed his gratitude to all participants and declared the Forum closed, announcing that the next Forum will be held in Chile in 2028 and expressing his hopes for further advancement of mutual collaboration. On October 3, participants enjoyed a cultural excursion including Byodo-in Temple, which provided further opportunities for exchange. In addition, some workshops continued related activities after the Forum, including site visits and lectures in Kyoto and Tokyo.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Director Tomoharu Hori, Professor Yoshihiro Ito, and all the administrative staff of the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University including Mr. Hiroki Yamazaki, Ms. Ayako Tobita, and Mr. Hideki Matsuura for providing the excellent venue and, as co-organizers, contributing immensely to the success of the conference. We are deeply grateful to President Nagahiro Minato, Executive Vice-President Tetsuo Sawaragi, Vice-President Yasuyuki Kono for warmly welcoming the Chilean delegation during their courtesy visit to Kyoto University, the Yoshida Campus on September 30.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to Prof. Shin-ichi Ohkoshi, Dean of the Graduate School of Science, and all members of the Graduate School of Science for their generous support, as well as to all the professors who led each workshop. We are also deeply grateful to President Teruo Fujii, Vice-President Hiroto Yaguchi, Prof. Masaomi Nangaku (Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine), and Prof. Sakae Tanaka (Director of the University of Tokyo Hospital) for kindly receiving the Chilean delegation during their courtesy visit to the Hongo Campus on October 1, and to Prof. Motohiro Kato of the Graduate School of Medicine for his kind assistance in arranging and guiding the group during their visit to the University of Tokyo Hospital.
