Sakura Science Exchange Program

2021 Activity Report
Open Application Program
JST Direct Invitation Program
Sakura Science Club (SSC)

Open Application Program
Department of Contemporary Liberal Arts, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
Showa Women’s University

04

Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki
Faculty of Education, Mie University

05

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
National Institute of Technology, Tsuruoka College

06

Nara Women’s University Secondary School
Global Program Office, Global Networking Division of the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)

07

Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center
Shizuoka Prefecture

08

JST Direct Invitation Program
Online University Visits
Nagoya University, University of Tsukuba

09

Kyoto University, Kyushu University, Yokohama National University, Shibaura Institute of Technology

10

Ochanomizu University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Chuo University, Tokyo City University

11

Online High School Exchange Program
Aichi Prefectural Meiwa Senior High School

12

Eiko Gakuen Junior and Senior High School, Ritsumeikan Junior and Senior High School

13

Sakura Science Club (SSC)
Sakura Science Club (SSC) Alumni Activity
Third India Alumni Association Event, Second Sri Lanka Alumni Association Event,

14

Third Indonesia Alumni Association Event
Fourth Japan Alumni Association Event, Second Vietnam Alumni Association Event,
Second Malaysia Alumni Association Event

15

The Sakura Science Exchange Program is a project that promotesinternational exchanges between Japanese andoverseas youth in the field of science and technology.

2021 Activity Report

Sakura Science Exchange Program Overview
Purposes of Sakura Science Exchange Program
The Sakura Science Program’s objectives include:
To support the development of talented human resources from overseas who
have the potential to contribute to innovation in science and technology.
To accelerate the international brain cycle.
To promote continuous collaboration, cooperation, and interaction between
Japanese educational and research institutes and overseas ones.
To strengthen good relationships between Japan and other countries andregions that will help science and technology diplomacy.
Participation results for six years from when the program started in 2014 to 2019
Number of participants: 33,197
Open Application Program Overseas Sending Organizations: 754 in 41 countries
Japanese Host Organizations: 183

Science and Technology Exchanges
Covered by the Program

Countries/Regions Coveredby the Program

Exchanges in science and technology fields as a whole(natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences)

In principle, all countries/regions

Forms of Exchanges

In 2021, there were difficult circumstances for traveling from overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Open Application
Program, however, we conducted an inter-institutional online exchange program and, in the programs conducted directly by theJapan Science and Technology Agency (JST), arranged online university visits and an online high school exchange program.
These initiatives enabled the exchanges to continue.

Open Application Program

JST Direct Invitation Program

Exchange plans prepared by Japanesehost organizations*1 and overseas
sending organizations*2 are publicly
offered and adopted.

In addition to the exchange programs
planned by JST for outstanding highschool students (and their supervisors)from overseas, we invite and conduct
programs for overseas government
officials. The purpose of these
programs is to deepen the participants’
understanding of Japan’s cutting-edge
science and technology and of otheraspects that include the administrationof science and technology.

*1 Host Organizations
Educational and research institutes throughout
Japan, companies, local governments, variousorganizations, and others*2 Sending Organizations
An organization that dispatches invitees and plans
and implements exchange programs in cooperation
with the host organization

Sakura Science Club (SSC)

Participants who come to Japan for
the Sakura Science Exchange Program
become members of the Sakura
Science Club (SSC), the alumni
association organization of the Sakura
Science Exchange Program, uponcompletion of their programs.
Approximately 33,000 people haveregistered so far, making the SSC a
major network, the members of which
are able to connect with each other on
SNS and interact freely, for example
by holding alumni association events.

03

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021

Open Application Program

OnlineThe Power to Change Society:
Resolving Local Issues through Global PBL
Department of Contemporary Liberal Arts, Faculty of Humanities andSocial Sciences, Showa Women’s University

Note: For illustrative purposes only

2021-10/18, 21, 25, 28 11/3

Royal University of Bhutan (Bhutan)

Taking on the challenges of project facilitation, one of the ProjectBased Learning (PBL) subjects, participants experienced the processof mapping out the future of their immediate community anddesigning projects to make it happen.
Ms. Kuryu Haruka (representative director of Sento & Neighborhood
General Incorporated Association/Youth Representative of the
Bunkyo Architectural Association) had been invited as an external
lecturer. For her lecture, which was entitled “What does it mean toinherit the social identity of a town?”, she spoke of the content of
her research and practices related to the inheritance of traditional

cultures under the theme of public baths in Tokyo’s downtown area.
Later, a workshop was held that brought together the Japanese andBhutanese to discuss the same theme.
Joined by students from Showa Women’s University in a crosscultural exchange session, at which the cultures of both Japan andBhutan were introduced and they learned from each other, students
from both sides shared a fulfilling time connecting across borders
and beyond language barriers.

Snapshot from the online exchange

04

Promoting Exchanges of Young Researchers in Peru-Japan Scientific
Research and Joint Research
University of Miyazaki2021-11/28 2022-1/18, 28 2/28

Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Peru)

Under the theme of clinical and research topics within the faculties
of medicine, we held exchanges between clinical medicine
researchers and doctors as well as undergraduate students.
In the fields of obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics, there werecommentaries on neonatal care and neonatal mortality in bothcountries, and we gave an introduction to the neonatal care system
in Miyazaki Prefecture. For participants on the Faculty of Medicine’s
surgery course, there was an introduction to the diagnosis andtreatment of gallbladder cancer in Peru, and a presentation given on
the optimization of indications for gallbladder cancer surgery.

Note: For illustrative purposes only

In the exchanges between medical students, both sides
presented their medical education and training efforts during the
COVID-19 pandemic and the ideal situation and methods of medical
education in the years to come.
In the second half, the participants were divided into groups offour to five people, and discussions on each topic held.
Future developments, such as international and personnel
exchanges between medical schools, medical training, and researchcooperation, are expected in the years to come.
At an exchange session between the obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics departments

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021 Open Application Program

OnlineVietnamese Students, Teachers and Researchers Learn How to Conduct
Online Scientific Experiments
Faculty of Education, Mie University2021-10/20, 27 11/3, 10, 17

Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (Vietnam)

In a situation where elementary, junior, and high school students wereunable to attend school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we shared
information about how to proceed with science education and at thesame time promoted exchanges. From Japan, we provided an overview
of the Global Innovation Gateway for All (GIGA) school program concept
and showcased classes for which information and communications
technology (ICT) was utilized, including hands-on experiments online.
From Vietnam, there were reports on the status of remote classes
and how to support students and their parents or guardians in online
learning.

View of online interaction with children

A teacher at the elementary school attached to Faculty of Education
at Mie University, Mr. Masashi Maeda, gave an introduction to river
education utilizing drones. Having observed the resulting lesson using
a video, his footage of a fifth-grade elementary school classroom,
captured using a 360-degree camera, showed a record of children
learning and enabled participants to realistically interact with thechildren as if they were actually in the classroom.

Participant’s presentation slide* The Ho Chi Minh City University of Education implemented the Sakura Science
Exchange Program five times from 2015 to 2019, thereby deepening exchanges.
		 Students who had participated in 2015 established a Sakura Club, andmembers are conducting science awareness activities at primary, junior, andsenior high schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

05

Practicing Molecular Biology in Myanmar’s Aquaculture Sector: Fish
Species Identification Using DNA
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

2022-1/27, 28, 31 2/1

Mawlamyine University; the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation; and University of Yangon (Myanmar)

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the original plan was changed andconducted online.
In the lecture on fish species identification using DNA analysis,
the participants listened to case studies on tuna species identificationand Myanmar catfish, while learning in the classroom methods that
included DNA extraction, PCR, and restriction enzyme reaction.
The course content also covered the observation of fish otoliths,
in which participants conducted practical experiments on-site. After
having explained the methods used for fish dissection, otolith
extraction, embedding, and polishing, we commenced a series ofNote: For illustrative purposes only

experiments, from on-site dissection to otolith observation. Tuition
progressed in the form of sending comments as appropriate to thesituation in real time. Downloaded and installed image processing
software was used in the analysis of polished otolith surfaces.
There were many times when we felt the illusion that we wereactually conducting experiments together in the same laboratory.

Scene during fish dissectionSAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021

Open Application Program

OnlineExchange of Views Relating to CDIO INITIATIVE and Robot Exchange
National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Tsuruoka College

2021-10/26

Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (Thailand)

The CDIO INITIATIVE is an educational framework devised andadvocated for the purpose of reforming engineering education.
Having exchanged opinions on CDIO, which both schools haveincorporated into their educational systems, we held discussions on
the possibility of credit transfers and a double-degree system infuture long-term exchange programs. For the robot exchange
section, students from the National Institute of Technology, Tsuruoka
College gave a presentation on the development and implementationof a program using a COBOTTA® collaborative robot.
COBOTTA®

COBOTTA® demonstrated how it can perform each of the actions
necessary for grilling yakitori, scooping goldfish, and making cotton
candy.
Using a delta robot, the students from Rajamangala University ofTechnology Lanna presented a project to manipulate an arm freely in
3D directions. For both groups of students, the different approaches
and perspectives were a surprising and learning experience. Aftereach other’s presentation, a lively exchange of views took place, andthere were rapid-fire questions about, for example, the programming
methods and software used as well as points for improvement.
Demonstration presentation of COBOTTA®

06

International Science Research Program for High SchoolStudents Made in Collaboration with Affiliated High Schools
Nara Women’s University Secondary School2021-8/28, 29 9/4, 5High schools affiliated with Samarkand State University (Uzbekistan) and Vietnam National University, Hanoi University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam)

Sharing an awareness of the problem of “wanting to assure thestudents’ future studies and opportunities to have international
exchanges” even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the school (Nara
Women’s University Secondary School) and Nara Women’s
University held detailed meetings and encouraged the developmentof the program.
In the lecture “Mathematics applied to population biology,”
participants learned how to mathematically interpret the increases
and decreases of various organisms by learning the basics ofmathematical model creation.

Note: For illustrative purposes only

Some groups studied bacteria and country population growthand decline, while others modeled the number of people infectedwith COVID-19. The opportunity to use mathematics to interpret thecrises they are facing in the world right now can be thought ashaving provided their sensibilities with fresh stimuli.

Online implementation of the program

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021 Open Application Program

OnlineWorkshops and Individual Research Discussions for Future International
Collaborative Research Planning
Global Program Office, Global Networking Division of the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)

2021-12/6-10

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G), and Indian Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) (India)

We asked each of the 15 participating members in advance about
their interest in the research of researchers at NIMS and whether
they would like to explore the possibility of future international
collaborative research.
Through this matching, after deciding on the pairings to conduct
the exchanges, each laboratory created a five-minute virtual lab tour
video. Distributing the video beforehand helped the IIT participants
become familiar with the actual research environments of NIMS
researchers.
Note: For illustrative purposes only

For the online workshop, researchers from the side of the IITs
and from the NIMS side gave presentations on their own research
topics. In the individual online meetings, which were based on thecontent of the research presentations up to the previous day, we
confirmed points of mutual interest in research.
We can expect the development of full-scale joint research in
the years to come.

Snapshot of individual online meetings

07

Introducing University Research Capabilities and Local Government
Environmental Measures in Fukuoka City
Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center

2021-11/17 12/1, 8

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China)

The narrowed-down content of the course we conducted introduced
university research sites and local government environmental
measures.
At the Faculty of Law, Kyushu University, regarding the researchand development of flying cars, participants learned of the need to
pay attention to the legal and social issues associated with thetechnology. At Kurume University School of Medicine, they learned
with the help of videos about the latest trends in cancer treatment inJapan and the outlook for vaccine research and development.
Note: For illustrative purposes only

At the Fukuoka City Road and Sewerage Bureau, the participants
deepened their knowledge on the history and current status of theuse of recycled water (gray water) in Fukuoka City, which is a leading
exponent, and on the effective use of limited water resources.
Among the science and technology participants, there weresome students who had a good command of Japanese, not only
listening to the lectures but also asking questions without difficulty.
The host organizations were able to learn about the high level ofinterest in Japan among talented young people in China.
Students attending a lecture at Shanghai Jiao Tong University

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021

Open Application Program

OnlineAiming for the Longest Lifespan in the World
Shizuoka Prefecture2021-12/14, 15

High school students from West Java Province, Indonesia

The program aimed to deepen the students’ understanding of theinitiatives and most recent research and technology in the healthand medical treatment fields, including “healthy longevity,” which isone of Shizuoka’s attributes, and the supporting manufacturingindustry. Shown the attractiveness of higher education institutions
to encourage them to consider studying in Shizuoka, the participants
visited universities and research facilities online over two days. At
the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, theylearned about research to find “medicinal seeds,” the initial
searches in the research and development of new drugs. At theNote: For illustrative purposes only

National Institute of Genetics, they learned about the latest genetic
research and its applications to medicine.
At the Faculty of Engineering of Shizuoka University, thestudents were introduced to the basic research on cancer treatmentusing photochemical reactions based on the theme of medicalrelated manufacturing.
The Hamamatsu University School of Medicine presented two
fields of its research: the applying of optoelectronics and othertechnologies to medical devices, and the integration of manufacturing
technology with health care and medicine using optics.
Snapshot from online lecture given by Professor Seto Mitsutoshi, Hamamatsu
University School of Medicine

08

Open Application Program

Implementation Status

A total of three applications were made under the 2021 Open Application Program.
When combining the carryover portion adopted in previous years, 166 host organizations in Japan had conducted 406 online exchanges,
and 12,138 people from 683 participating organizations in 52 countries/regions had participated.

First round of applications

Number of organizations*2

Number of applications

Second round of applications

Third round of applications

Total

Adoption carryover from previous years

Online alternative*1

OnlineOnline alternative*1

OnlineOnline alternative*1

OnlineOnline alternative*1

Online alternative*1

Online

9
9

12
16

11
17

18
19

3
3

9
10

127
332

133
361

34
45

*1 Invitation did not result in exchange being conducted. Exchange conducted online as an alternative.
*2 The number of organizations is the number of host organizations on the Japanese side, excluding any duplication of the same organizations.

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021 JST Direct Invitation Program

Online University Visits
Providing overseas high school and university students with an online
simulated visit experience, JST has as its aims the heightening of theirinterest in Japan’s excellent universities and increasing their motivation to
study in Japan. Each visit is conducted jointly with each university withcooperation from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).
Approximately 70% of the event viewing audience are high school
students and around 10% of them are university and graduate students, andrecently we have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries aboutbuilding cooperative relationships between universities. It can be shown that
the JST programs have become a catalyst for the promotion of international
exchanges between universities.
Model Program

1 Opening remarks (JST)2 Greeting from university representative
3 Introduction to university
Introduction to studies and university life from

4 international students

Participants 28,435

5 Lecture/talk by university professor
6
7

Overview of Japanese university study abroad system (JASSO)
BASIC INFORMATION STUDY IN JAPANQ&A with participating high school students

from 68 countries/regions

Malaysia

13,405 (47%)

Brunei451 ( 2%)Thailand

5,585 (20%)

Singapore

363 ( 1%)Indonesia

2,864 (10%)

United States

237 ( 1%)

Philippines

1,703 ( 6%)Japan

231 ( 1%)India

1,286 ( 4%)Bangladesh

Taiwan561 ( 2%)

Other

156 (0.5%)
1,593 ( 6%)09

Nagoya University2021-5/22

University of Tsukuba

From Symposion Hall in Toyoda Auditorium
Participants

2,405

Area

31 countries/regions

2021-6/19

From a lecture room on campus
Participants

5,301

Area

32 countries/regions

The research building was introduced by a 3D video using virtual
reality (VR).
Depicting the inside of a crystal growth furnace, which in reality
we would be unable to enter, a small avatar gives explanations
while moving around, and an attractive simulated experience video
was thus provided for viewers.
For the campus introduction session given by currently enrolledinternational students, we screened a campus tour video
independently produced by volunteer members of the Nagoya
University International Student Group (NUISG). Campus life anduniversity facilities were introduced from the perspectives ofinternational students.

The content conducted by University of Tsukuba combined theinviting of presenters and laboratory students onto the stage for aroundtable discussion with videos. We were able to provide theviewing audience, high school students from overseas, with live
coverage and an atmosphere of mutual interaction.
We also utilized the green screen method for the stage. With astructure similar to that of a TV program, in which the backgrounds
behind the teachers and students who spoke on stage changed inaccordance with the content of their presentations, we achieved aunique presentation that kept the viewers entertained.

From the video introducing the research building

Video produced using the green screen method

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021

JST Direct Invitation Program

Kyoto University2021-7/17

Kyushu University

From Symposium Hall on Yoshida Campus
Participants

6,201

Area

32 countries/regions

2021-8/23

All speakers participated remotely, mainly from Ito Campus
Participants

3,770

Area

27 countries/regions

We introduced the Kyoto University International Undergraduate
Program (Kyoto iUP), which does not impose a Japanese language
test in its entrance examination. New students from overseas study
Japanese intensively for half a year, and then take classes in both
Japanese and English with Japanese students in humanities andspecialized courses.
For the mock class, Professor Nishino Ko from the Graduate
School of Informatics presented research on how artificial
intelligence (AI) is capable of seeing things “perceptually.” Professor
Kitajima Kaoru, from the Graduate School of Agriculture, gave an
overview of the mechanisms that forests exert on climate andecosystems on a global scale.

The event was held completely online for the first time, and all the
speakers participated remotely.
Professor Douglas Drummond from the School of Agriculture
gave a talk about the research courses and case studies about
Bioresource and Bioenvironment. Professor Johan Lauwereyns fromthe School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation spoke about“co-creative problem-solving ability.” Associate Professor Tamura
Mika from the School of Engineering introduced the International
Undergraduate Programs in English (IUPE), in which students canobtain a degree in English only and also learn Japanese.

Professor Nishino Ko

Professor Kitajima Kaoru

Kyushu University professors and international students

2021-9/22

Shibaura Institute of Technology

10

Yokohama National University

From large conference room in administration building
Participants

2,646

Area

31 countries/regions

2021-10/23

Toyosu Campus Exchange Lounge from Global Learning Commons
Participants

1,683

Area

34 countries/regions

The laboratory visits were conducted in a new presentation style, inwhich international students visited laboratories, interviewed theprofessors in charge, and summarized them in four videos. All videos
had English and Japanese subtitles, technical terms were also
expressed in written form, and overseas viewers responded that thevideos had been “easy to understand.”Two student volunteers gave an introduction to the university,
highlighting its practical education based on its history andtraditions, and its guidance aimed at nurturing human resources
who possess not only local but global perspectives.

In a special lecture entitled “Soft and wet robotics,” Professor
Maeda Shingo from the Department of Engineering Science andMechanics in the College of Engineering introduced his research
into moving robots and drive devices through the use of intelligent
materials made of soft materials that respond to external stimuli.
Professor Yukiko Hirabayashi from the Department of Civil
Engineering in the College of Engineering gave a lecture entitled“How will global warming change water? How will it affect us?”In the Q&A session, two international students responded toquestions about, for example, what they wanted to do after
graduation and doing household tasks on their own in Japan.

Associate Professor Kikumoto Mamoru from the Faculty of Urban Innovation
being interviewed by an international student

Q&A session

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021 JST Direct Invitation Program

Ochanomizu University2021-11/20

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

From lecture room on campus
Participants

1,586

Area

29 countries/regions

2021-12/18

From Millennium Hall
Participants

981

Area

34 countries/regions

Featuring, for example, current graduate students acting as
moderators, this turned out to be a lively, student-led program. In ascience talk, Professor Yura Kei introduced his research on insect
food, a recycling-oriented food production system aimed at resolving
global food problems.
Professor Chiba Kazuyoshi, who studies the mechanisms ofmeiosis and fertilization in starfish eggs, relayed experiments andobservations live from his laboratory. After the event, we received amessage from the Marshall Islands saying, “It was a very interesting
program, and the research presentations by Professor Yura andProfessor Chiba were particularly exciting!”

Two special lectures were held. That entitled “Growing Alignments
and Indo-Pacific Strategies: The QUAD and Beyond” by Professor
Sato Yoichiro, Dean of the College of Asia Pacific Studies, wasfollowed by “Diversity and Inclusion: Are They the Same?” byProfessor Lailani Alcantara, Dean of the College of International
Management.
In a panel discussion, international students introduced theirstudies and lives at APU and spoke about finding employment.
Although this was the first event organized by a university
specializing in the humanities and social sciences, we were able tofully convey APU’s uniqueness and charm.

Professor Chiba Kazuyoshi introducing his research

Scene from panel discussion

11

Chuo University2022-2/2

Tokyo City University

From lecture room on Korakuen Campus
Participants

1,817

Area

27 countries/regions

2022-3/5

From lecture room on Setagaya Campus
Participants

2,045

Area

27 countries/regions

For the lab tour, Professor Nakamura Taro broadcast demonstrations
live from his lab on bio-inspired robotics, for which he focused on the
movements of living things, and next-generation “soft robots” thatcoexist with humans. The viewing audience shared the feeling ofactually being there.
For the mock lecture, Associate Professor Otsubo Hironori, who
specializes in experimental economics and behavioral economics,
gave a lecture on “Game Theory and Human Behavior.” A quiz using
Zoom’s voting function captured viewers’ interest from the
beginning.

Two special lectures were held. That given by Associate Professor
Saito Kei from the Faculty of Urban Life Studies covered “Urban
development in Tokyo, the various problems it causes, and how to
alleviate the heat of summer through design while preserving thehistorical landscape.” That was followed by Professor Furukawa
Ryuzo from the Faculty of Environmental Studies, whose special
lecture, on the theme of “Concepts for training global scaleinnovators,” emphasized the importance of fostering reformers.
In addition, a graduate student from Malaysia talked about his
research in the lab he belongs to, how he enjoys his time off, andother life experiences in Japan. Many questions were asked byoverseas viewers, especially students from Malaysia.

Professor Nakamura Taro and students in his laboratory

Professor Saito Kei

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021

JST Direct Invitation Program

Online High School Exchange Program
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, JST invited about 1,000 overseas
high school students to Japan every year under the Sakura Science
High School Program. We had arranged their participation in specialclasses given by prominent Japanese scientists (such as Nobel
laureates), visits to universities and research facilities, exchanges
with high school students, cultural experiences, and other events.
The experience of interacting with Japanese high school
students, which had proved the most popular among participants,
was realized online by the Online High School Program.

SDGs Workshop: “Protect the World from Climate Change!”
Participating School (Overseas)

Beijing 101 Middle School, China

Aichi Prefectural Meiwa Senior High School2021-10/15

Discussing Measures to Counter Climate Change in English

12

In the same way as for the 2020 program, we utilized the“Protect the world from climate change!” SDGs workshop
developed by the National Museum of Emerging Science andInnovation (Miraikan) and held a workshop by overseas andJapanese high school students in English.
Based on a board game with the theme of “Take urgent
action to combat climate change and its impacts,” which is oneof the goals of the SDGs, the students discussed topics inEnglish that were difficult even in their native language while
having fun from the sensation of being in a game. They also
experienced the difficulties of persuading other students whilenarrowing down the proposal and drawing conclusions.

Comments from Participants
VOICE 1

It was a very good experience, as I was able to learn how difficult it is to gather views and opinions from other countries and people aswell as learn of the importance of predicting disasters and giving consideration to countermeasures.

VOICE 2This time, I was able to talk to someone from China for the first time and, more than anything, it was fun.

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021 JST Direct Invitation Program

Participating School (Overseas)

SMK Lembah Bidong, Malaysia

Participating School (Overseas)

SMA Negeri 70, Jakarta, Indonesia

Eiko Gakuen Junior and Senior High School2021-12/16, 22

Ritsumeikan Junior and Senior High School2022-1/27, 2/1

Two Days of Lively Online Exchanges
We changed the content from a two-way workshop format based on
the previous board game to focus on exchanges, such as presentations,questions, and exchanges of views. Each two-day exchange program
was conducted twice.

First Day

“Let’s get along with the other members”

Each person introduced themselves and their country. Then, from the viewpoint of “SDGs and my country,” each time they chose a goalof the SDGs and thought about the social issues that their country had related to that goal. Students from both Indonesia and Japan
made presentations on the differences and common points between their own country and the other country.

Second Day “The world we are aiming for and the future we will create”
In their groups, they imagined what they would be like in 2030 and introduced the 2030 version of themselves. From the viewpoint of“SDGs and me,” they next selected goals from the SDGs that were of interest to them and presented their interests and the social
issues that they wanted to help resolve to the group members. In conclusion, from the viewpoint of “the future we will create,” they
discussed the ideal world they envisioned and what they wanted to change within their groups and presented the results.
High school students from both countries cooperated with each other and proactively advanced proceedings. That they were able
to actively exchange their views was a great achievement.

Comments from ParticipantsComments from Participants(Eiko Gakuen Junior and Senior High School)

VOICE 1Through this program, I was able to experience the fun anddifficulties of interacting with people from other countries inEnglish.

VOICE 2

By discussing the SDGs, it was a good opportunity to learn
about social issues in both countries.

VOICE 3

It was inspiring to see people of the same generation thinking
about the same issues overseas.

(Ritsumeikan Junior and Senior High School)

VOICE 1The program provided an opportunity for us to deepen our
understanding of the SDGs and think about what we can dofor a better future and what actions to take.

VOICE 2

By comparing Indonesia with Japan, I was able to understandthe similarities and differences in terms of culture and waysof thinking.

VOICE 3

By working together, Indonesia has become a more familiar
country to me than before.

13

SAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021

Sakura Science Club (SSC)

Sakura Science Club (SSC) Alumni Activity

Online2021-5/29

Participants

257

Third India Alumni Association Event

INDIA

Planned and managed by India SSC Alumni Association executive
secretaries and coordinators, an online meeting was held under thetheme of “Sakura Science and Beyond – How can we contribute todeepening mutual cooperation between Japan and India to promotescience, technology, and innovation?” Guest speakers included: Hosoda
Hiroyuki, Chairman of the Japan-India Parliamentarian Friendship League;
H.E. Mr. Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ofJapan to India; H.E. Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma, Ambassador of India toJapan; and Matsuo Hiroki, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Special lectures wereconducted by the winners of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2021,
and lectures on study abroad and employment in Japan were given byalumni of the Sakura Science Exchange Program.

Online14

2021-6/26

Participants

83

Second Sri Lanka Alumni Association Event

SRI LANKA

The guest speakers for this online meeting were: Ms. Obuchi Yuko, Memberof the House of Representatives and Chief Secretary of the Japan-Sri Lanka
Parliamentary Friendship League; H.E. Mr. Sugiyama Akita, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Sri Lanka; and H.E. Mr.
Vishramal Sanjiv Gunasekara, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan. A special
lecture was given by Professor Monte Cassim, Chairman and President of
Akita International University. In addition, Dr. H.D. Karunaratne, Director of the
University of Tokyo Sri Lanka Office, introduced Programs in English at
Komaba (PEAK), the English courses at the University of Tokyo College of Arts
and Sciences. At the end of the event, four SSC members talked about their“future visions for Sakura Science” and made specific proposals, such as
online lectures involving Japanese researchers.

Online2021-7/31

Participants

1,113

Third Indonesia Alumni Association Event
The guest speakers for this Sakura Alumni Association in Indonesia (SAAI) reunion
webinar were: Mitani Hidehiro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology; H.E. Mr. Kanasugi Kenji, Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Indonesia; H.E. Mr. Heri Akhmadi,
Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Japan; and Nadiem Makarim, Indonesia’s
Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. A special lecture was given
by Dr. Mamoru Yamada, a specially appointed professor at Yamaguchi University.
In a sharing session by SSC members who had studied in Japan, each spoke about
their research life in Japan.
At the end of the meeting, SAAI’s newly elected executive secretaries andcoordinators were introduced.

INDONESIASAKURA SCIENCE PROGRAM 2021 Sakura Science Club (SSC)

Online2021-9/4

Participants

86

Fourth Japan Alumni Association Event

JAPANIn a first for an alumni association, the focus of this meeting
was job hunting in Japan. Mr. Huang Lei, an SSC member
who found employment with a Japanese IT company, talked
about the pros and cons of working in Japan. Mr. Austin
Zeng, president of the MEXT Scholars Association,emphasized the importance of teamwork and awarenessof Japanese expectations.
Mr. Fukushima Satoshi, a career consultant at ASIA toJAPAN Co., Ltd., focused on Japan’s unique job-hunting
system and gave advice by showing examples of whatcompanies expect from new graduates.

Online2021-9/25

Participants

98

Second Vietnam Alumni Association Event

VIETNAM15

The opening addresses at this online meeting were given by H.E. Mr.
Yamada Takio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to theSocialist Republic of Viet Nam, and H.E. Mr. Vu Hong Nam, Ambassador ofSocialist Republic of Viet Nam to Japan. Keynote sessions were given byguest speakers Dr. Tran Dang Xuan, an associate professor at Hiroshima
University, and Dr. Le Van Lich, a lecturer at Hanoi University of Scienceand Technology who obtained his Ph.D at Kyoto University and gave advice
on how to be active as a researcher in Japan.
In addition, SSC members Dr. Nguyen Chi Long (Tohoku University
University of Chicago) and Ms. Ha Hoang (Kwansei Gakuin University
KIOXIA Corporation), who possess experience of having been international
students in Japan, shared their memories of studying in Japan and how
they made use of those experiences.

Online2022-2/26

Participants

102

Second Malaysia Alumni Association Event
The guest opening addresses for this online meeting were courtesy H.E.
Mr. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ofJapan to Malaysia, and Mr. Nor’Azam Bin Mohd Idrus, Charge d’Affaires of
the Embassy of Malaysia in Japan. In her keynote speech, University ofTokyo Professor Dr. Moi Meng Ling emphasized the importance of building
cross-border collaborative networks with relevant parties. A professor at
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Dr. Zamri Yusop provided information on
specific methods for studying in Japan. In the presentations from SSC
members, Dr. Gan Hong Seng also pointed out the importance of building
networks. In addition, Dr. Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah spoke of her
feelings about the Sakura Science Exchange Program since the switch toremote participation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MALAYSIA

Sakura Science Program Headquarters
Science Plaza, 5-3, Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8666
TEL+81-3-5214-8288

EMAIL ssp.press@jst.go.jp
URL

https://ssp.jst.go.jp/EN/
Sakura Science Plan Homepage
https://ssp.jst.go.jp/EN/

November 2022