Sevilla, April 22, 2009.The Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Isla de la Cartuja has welcomed the visit of Fumiaki Takahashi, the Japanese Ambassador to Spain. During his tour of the Center’s facilities, the Japanese diplomat met with the director of cicCartuja, Miguel Ángel de la Rosa, as well as with the directors of its three institutes, Luis Carlos Romero, José Manuel García and Juan Pedro Espinós. Takahashi, who was accompanied by his first secretary, Daisuke Nakano, asked questions about the origin of cicCartuja and about the research synergy between the Institutes (Plant Biochemistry and Photosynthesis, Materials Science and Chemical Research), showing particular interest in the work carried out in nanotechnology.

Likewise, the Ambassador expressed his desire to increase bilateral relations between Japan and Spain, mainly in the scientific and technological area, in which he considers necessary a cooperation and stimulus plan for research. In this sense, Takahashi pointed out that the Japanese Embassy can function as an effective organ when it comes to publicizing in his country the work carried out by Spanish scientists, with the aim of generating the interest of Japanese companies, and vice versa. He also pointed out that another of the aims of his Embassy is to facilitate technological exchange agreements and the transfer of young researchers.

Fumiaki Takahashi, who has held the post of Ambassador to Spain since July 2009, has had some links with the scientific field throughout his career.In fact, between April 2007 and May 2009, he held the position of executive director at the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).Previously, Takahashi was posted as a diplomat in the embassies of other countries (such as Malaysia, France, United Kingdom, Belgium or Israel) and was Japan’s Representative to the Executive Committee of Unesco, as well as Special Assistant and Ambassador for the Coordination of the Reconstruction of Iraq, among other positions.