Japan-UK Brain Machine Interface International Workshop
Statement
The Japan-UK Brain Machine Interface （ hereinafter called BMI ） InternationalWorkshop was held at Yurakucho Asahi Hall Square in Tokyo on 12th February, 2009.
It was attended by researchers in the Strategic Research Program for Brain Sciences(hereafter called SRPBS) promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, from Japan side, and by researchers who do BMI research in
the UK, supported by the British Embassy. There were over 340 participants.
In commemoration of holding the public symposium, expectations and responsibilities
for future BMI research by Japan and UK and for future friendship of both countries
were stated in the opening greetings by Professor Ichiro Kanazawa （The Chairman ofthe Science Council of Japan）, Professor John Beddington （The British government
Chief Scientific Adviser and head of science and technology). Professor ShigetadaNakanishi（Program Director of SRPBS, Director of Osaka Bioscience Institute）, andProfessor Colin Ingram （ Director of the Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle
University）. After which, presentations on the latest research concerning BMI weremade by researchers from Japan and UK.
Technological advances in both brain science and engineering are opening opportunities
for direct interaction between the nervous system and physical devices. Research of thisBrain-Machine Interface (BMI) has the opportunity to generate devices both for thebenefit of able bodied people and for patients who suffer with some impairment of brain
function. The field of BMI research includes implants that can be used to restore lost
function of the nervous system, non-invasive devices that can be used to assist humans
to perform particular functions, and methods for measurement and interpretation ofbrain signals that can be used to operate devices.
Both Japan and the UK have research groups which are working on various aspects ofBMI research. These projects include work on devices that assist or restore movement,
retinal implants to restore sight, cochlear implants to improve or restore hearing, andbrain stimulators to correct abnormal activity. Some of them have started collaboration.
In Japan the“Strategy for Innovative Technology" formulated by the Council for
Science and Technology Policy, Cabinet Office formulated in May, 2008, included BMI
as one of innovative technologies which are expected to generate big spin-off effects
into economic society, self-support technology for senior citizens and disabled people
and is to be promoted intensively.Ở Support for BMI research has been started as one
research area of SRPBS by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology since 2008.
In the UK, BMI research is supported through the Materials, Mechanical and Medical
Engineering programme of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(hereafter called EPSRC). In addition, the Wellcome Trust and EPSRC have launched ajoint initiative in Medical Engineering. EPSRC is now supporting three projects in thearea of Brain-Computer Interfaces.
We expressed the wish to contribute to the future development of SRPBS in Japan andof BMI research in the UK by making use of fruitful discussions at this workshop,
research momentum for BMI and good bilateral relations between the two countries
fostered till now and to continuously promote joint meetings, visiting exchange, andcooperation by researchers in Japan and the UK in order to make the next advances inworld BMI research.
February 12, 2009
Professor Shigetada Nakanishi (Program Director of SRPBS)
Professor Colin Ingram (Newcastle University)
Professor Stuart Baker (Newcastle University)
Dr. Mitsuo Kawato (ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories)
Dr. Tadashi Isa (National Institute for Physiological Sciences)