Innovation Consortium of Fisheriesand Marine Science and Technology
Innovation Officer Development Program

August 2017

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Iwate University
Kitasato University

Innovation Consortium ofFisheries and Marine Science and Technology (ICFM)
Innovation Officer Development Program
Principal Organization: Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (Office of Liaison and Cooperative Research)
Partner Organization: Iwate University (Organization for Revitalization of the Sanriku Region and Regional Development)
Kitasato University (School of Marine Biosciences)

Marine Fisheries Innovation Officers (IOFs)
refer to university research administrators (URAs)* that support research with their
specialized knowledge in the field of marine fisheries, ranging from conservation of
the environment and resources to distribution and consumption.
IOFs are human resources that support research by linking research organizations andfisheries-related cities nationwide to help develop new industries and provide
solutions to ongoing issues.
*URA (University Research Administrator)
University Research Administrators refer to a group of humanresources engaged in such activities as promoting researchers’
research activities or supporting the reinforcement of R&D
management at universities by planning and managing research
activities or promoting the utilization of research results incooperation with researchers (N.B.: the above is an excerpt from anopen recruitment statement published by the Ministry of Education,Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).

Summary of Programs

IOF
Knowledge and Technology
Unique to the Area of ExpertiseURA

The Innovation Officer (IOF) Development Program is aimed at recruiting university research administrators (URAs) serving as
research support personnel and at developing them into advanced research support personnel (Marine Fisheries Innovation Officer(IOF)) specialized in the field of marine fisheries, while focusing on the Sanriku coastal region as a venue for the reconstruction andinnovation of the marine fisheries industry.
[Establishment of the ICFM]
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Iwate University and Kitasato University entered into an agreement oncooperation in 2011. Since then, the three universities have jointly promoted research activities aimed at the reconstruction of theSanriku fisheries industry and the development of the region in a sustainable manner. Through this project, the three universities aimto construct the Innovation Consortium of Fisheries and Marine Science and Technology (ICFM), strengthen cooperation in
educational and research activities, and establish the system of developing Marine Fisheries IOFs. Through the construction of ICFM
consisting of universities located in the Sanriku region, a university located in the Tokyo metropolitan area and public test andresearch institutes, appropriate as well as stable employment of URAs will be ensured. Furthermore, rotational placement of URAs in
research organizations will provide them with opportunities to gain experience and training at various research organizations.
Background of the agreement on cooperation of the three universities
March 2011 Occurrence of the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami
October 2011 Conclusion of the basic agreement on the promotion of cooperation among the three universities forthe reconstruction of the Sanriku fisheries industry and the development of the region in a sustainable
mannerMarch 2012 Launch of the meeting as well as the committee for the promotion of cooperation among the threeuniversities
Launch of the SANRIKU Fisheries Research and Training Center Formation Project[Development of Marine Fisheries IOFs]
The employed URAs will be engaged in cutting-edge R&D projects covering fields from cultivation, conservation and managementof resources, production, and distribution to consumption. The URAs will seek to enhance their high levels of expertise as MarineFisheries IOFs as well as advancing their careers with flexibility in close cooperation with other research institutions and regional
business associations. To develop research support personnel specialized in the field of marine fisheries, the program will also provide
training programs for Marine Fisheries IOFs including existing standard-skilled URAs, thereby developing human resources in acontinuous manner.
Through this program, the establishment of a framework for developing highly specialized research support personnel who will leadthe innovation and sustainable development of the fisheries industry in Japan will be achieved.

“Highly Practical Research Support Personnel”
for Supporting the Development ofFisheries Industries Nationwide
Personnel will be dispatched and remain in
research institutions nationwide when theirskills have been sufficiently advanced.

Partner Organizations
Administrative Organs, Universities,
Private Companies, Financial Institutions,
Overseas Industry-Academia-Government Network, etc.
Industry

Academia

Government

Advancement of skills
Matching
ability

Ability todevelop humanresources

Ability tovitalize theregional
economyAbility toaccumulatedata

Personnel will be assigned toeach satellite facility and will
participate in the projects
implemented in theSanriku coastal region to improvetheir skills.

Innovation Consortium ofFisheries and Marine Science and Technology (ICFM)
Iwate University
Sanriku Fisheries Research Center
Kuji Extension Center
Ofunato Extension Center
Miyako Extension Center

URA
Placement

Steering Committee(ICFM Marine Fisheries
IOF Promotion Office)Kesennuma Office
Higashimukojima OfficeMorioka Office

Synergy andmutual complementationof functions possessedby the three universities

Tokyo University ofMarine Science and Technology
Office of Liaison andCooperative Research

Kitasato University
Sanriku Education and ResearchCenter for Marine Biosciences

Main Activities
The employed URAs (candidates for Marine Fisheries IOFs) will be assigned to each satellite facility of the three universities andwill take part in such projects as the Sanriku Fisheries Research and Training Center Formation Project, implemented mainly in theSanriku coastal region. Through the project, the URAs will learn the methods of management for the system of industry
encompassing the cultivation, conservation and management of resources to production, distribution and consumption, in close
cooperation with other research institutions and regional business associations.
Furthermore, this program establishes and provides a training program to equip URAs with standard skills as well as specializedskills required in the field of marine fisheries, in order to develop URAs who will lead the innovation and sustainable development of
the fisheries industry. The future objective of the program to produce, in a continuous manner, advanced-level research support
personnel (Marine Fisheries IOFs) specialized in Japan’s fisheries industry.

Individual advancement of skills

Advancement of skills
through training

Advancement of skills
through on-the-job training

Members of the“ Innovation Officer (IOF) Development Program”

SUSUMUYAMASHITA

Associate Professor (URA)
Organization for Revitalization of the Sanriku Region
and Regional Development
Iwate University

Research Officer (URA), Sanriku Education
and Research Center for Marine Biosciences
Kitasato University, Kitasato InstituteLiaison & Research Officer (URA), Office of Liaison
and Cooperative Research

Postdoctoral Fellow (URA), Office of Liaison
and Cooperative Research

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

Postdoctoral Fellow (URA), Office of Liaison
and Cooperative Research
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology© Hiroshi Yamakawa[Ability Required of Marine Fisheries IOFs]- Ability to acquire appropriate industrial information- Ability to gather a variety of information such as information on general intellectual property, competing technologies,scientific papers, etc.
- Coordination and communication skills and the ability to build consensus with local parties, etc. (liaison skills)- A variety of skills involved in obtaining external funds (procurement skills)

“Innovation Consortium ofFisheries and Marine Science and Technology (ICFM)” Steering Committee
Marine fisheies Innovation Officer (IOF) Development Program Promotion Office
A steering committee has been established to launch the Innovation Officer (IOF) Development Program. The committee has locateda promotion office in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture to support activities of the program. The office has been named the MarineFisheries Innovation Officer Developing Program promotion office (Marine Fisheries IOF Promotion Office).
With its particularly large fish catches and the large number of fish processing companies in the Sanriku coastal region where thefisheries industry flourishes, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, is ideal for promoting the so-called sextiary sector of industry ((i.e., theprimary sector of industry (raw materials) that also encompasses the secondary sector (manufacturing) and the tertiary sector (services)
elements). Kesennuma City also has good access to each satellite facility of the three universities, so it is an ideal location for establishing
the steering committee to launch the program for developing Marine Fisheries IOFs through activities according to the value chain basedin the Sanriku region.

Kuji Extension Center

Iwate University

MFIOF Promotion Office(Morioka Office)Appearance of Umi-no-Ichi, Kesennuma City, where theMarine Fisheries IOF Promotion Office is locatedMiyako Extension Center
Sanriku Fisheries Research Center
Sanriku Seaside Training & Research Center
Ofunato Extension Center
Sanriku Satellite

Marine Fisheries
IOF Promotion Office

Sanriku Region

Higashimukojima Office

MFIOF Promotion Office(Higashimukojima Office)Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Kitasato University

Iwate Office

ICFM Marine Fisheries IOF Promotion Office
The Marine Fisheries IOF Promotion Office will serve as a base for URAs that are candidates for the Marine Fisheries IOFs in
implementing the project of the IOF Development Program. The office will also serve as a hub for connecting fisheries-relatedcompanies, organizations, administrative organs and private companies with the Marine Fisheries IOFs.
At the each Promotion Office, the staffs receive visitors.

Shinagawa OfficeKesennuma Office

Higashimukojima Office

Iwate Office

Tokyo University of Marine
Science and Technology
Office 01 Liaison and Cooperative
Research
4-5-7, Konan, Minato-Ku, Tokyo,108-8477, Japan
TEL : +81-3-5463-0859
FAX : +81-3-5463-0894

Kesennuma Umi-no-ichi 3F,7-13
Umiichiba-mae, Kesennuma City
Miyagi Prefecture, 988-0037,
Japan
TEL/FAX : +81-226-29-6719

Tokyo Higashi Shinkin Bank
2-36-10 Higashimukojima,
Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 131-0032, Japan
TEL/FAX : +81-3-6657-4002

Iwate University
Regional Cooperation
Department office
4-3-5 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate,020-8551, Japan
TEL : +81-19-621-6629
FAX : +81-19-621-6656

Activity Report of the 2014 IOF Development Program
Three specialists invited from France

Ms. Mathilde COQUELLE

Dr. Bernard PICOCHE

Dr. Marc DANJON(AQUIMER, France)(ACTALIA, France)(CEVA, France)

Kesennuma Municipal Office

Meeting with Mayor Sugawara

Kesennuma Fish Market

Lecture on theSystemized
Bidding Process

At the Fish MarketAt Kesennuma Municipal Office, we met with Mayor Sugawara andAt Kesennuma fish market, we visited the market facilities and watched themembers of the Department of Fisheries. Mayor Sugawara talked about thebidding system. We were also given a lecture on fish species caught aroundsituation of reconstruction of the fisheries industry in Kesennuma City. We

Kesennuma, as well as on how to handle fish by species. At the direct sales

promised that this project of developing Marine Fisheries IOFs wouldmarket (umi-no-ichi) established as an annex to the market, we discussed thecontribute to the development of the fisheries industry in the Sanriku region

situation of food sanitation control and quality labeling in Japan with Dr.

including Kesennuma City.

Picoche, an expert with ACTALIA, France, which is a specialized institution forfood quality control engineering.

Ishiwata Shoten

KK Ashikaga Honten
We watched the shipping process ofWe made a tour of the production

swordfish, salmon shark and Pacific saury,facilities and processing procedures ofand visited the freezer room for storing

shark fin products. Mr. Hisashifish. Mr. Munehiro Ashikaga,

Ishiwata, executive director, talkedrepresentative director, talked about theabout his efforts and determination fornutritional value and the export condition

reconstructing Kesennuma. Weof shark meat, a specialty of Kesennuma.

exchanged opinions regarding theWe discussed future prospects.

Fish Processing

Tour of the Processing
Procedures

possibilities of launching products ininternational markets upon the adviceof Ms. Coquelle, an expert with
AQUIMER, a fisheries clusterin France.

Lecture on Shark andSwordfishFreezer Room at -60°C
Product SamplesAcknowledgment
Kesennuma
Municipal OfficeKesennuma Fisheries
Cooperative Association

1-1-1 Yoka-machi,
Kesennuma City,
Miyagi Prefecture 988-0084

8-25 Uoichiba-mae,
Kesennuma City,
Miyagi Prefecture 988-0037

Tour of the Current Situation of Fisheriesin Kesennuma City

21–22 February, 2015

As part of the activities of the 2014 IOF Development Program, we made a tour of the fish market, fish processing companies, and various
fish farms in Kesennuma City. Three experts from France were invited to join the tour as guest speakers. Based on the internationalperspective provided by the guest speakers, five URAs as well as advisors and coordinators from each university exchanged lively views
regarding the issues and possibilities of the Sanriku region.
As we proceeded on our tour of farms and processing companies producing edible seaweed, oysters, and scallops, which are major farming
produce of Kesennuma City, witnessed the current situations of fisheries and listened to the candid opinions of the people in the actual
setting, we reconfirmed that such candid opinions should form the core of research in the field of marine fisheries. This visit to the actual
setting provided an opportunity to review how to identify new research projects, how to achieve collaboration between universities andcommunities or private companies, and how to incorporate research findings in the project.
The research projects identified as a result of this tour will be positioned as a project for research support activities from 2015 onward.
Information about this project will be released to researchers with universities and specialized institutions, and we will support the acquisitionof research funds.

Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Association
Ice Manufacturing FactoryStoreroom of Plate Ice

Ice Breaker

Kawamura

Tour of the Manufacturing Facility of Edible Seaweed

No.2 Refrigerator of the Head Office

We visited the new ice manufacturing factory, which was established after

We made a tour of the salted seaweed manufacturing plant and shared

the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Learning from the damage caused byinformation on the actual situation of seaweed farming. We discussed

the tsunami triggered by the earthquake, the ice compartment was locatedseaweed farming methods and manufacturing methods of salted seaweed ofon the fifth floor. The facility is able to manufacture 110 tons of ice per day

superior quality in a lively manner with Dr. Danjon, Center for the Study andand store 3,700 tons of ice. The ice is utilized to maintain the freshness ofPromotion of Algae (CEVA), France.

fish and shellfish.

Tour of Farms

Harvest of Seaweed

Thanks to the cooperation of farmers inKesennuma City, we were able to make atour of farms of oysters, scallops, edible

Process of Removing Matters
Attached to Young Scallops

seaweed and ascidians. The tour provided uswith an opportunity to realize thesignificance of listening to the farmers’
candid opinions about their ongoingchallenges as well as their difficulty inproviding solutions to these challenges.

Farming of Japanese Oysters(“Magaki”)

Processing and Manufacturingof Seaweed, Kelp and Marine
ProductsMarine Product Processingin GeneralSpecialty Shop of Shark Fins
(Manufacture & Sales)

Kawamura

KK Ashikaga Honten

Ishiwata Shoten

125 Takaishihama, Karakuwa-cho
Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture
988-0531

5-1 Minato-machi, Kesennuma City,
Miyagi Prefecture
988-0021

228-107 Matsuzaki-yanagisawa,
Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture
988-0141Innovation Consortium of Fisheries
and Marine Science and Technology
Innovation Officer Development Program
Tokyo Universityof Marine Science and Technology

Iwate UniversityKitasato University●Research Promotion Division
General Affairs Department
3-5-7, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
TEL:+81-3-5463-4197 FAX:+81-3-5463-0359●Regional Cooperation Department officeof Regional Development
4-3-5 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8551, Japan
TEL:+81-19-621-6629 FAX:+81-19-621-6656●School of Marine Biosciences
1-15-1, Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara-city,Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
TEL:+81-42-778-7915 FAX:+81-42-778-5010●Office of Liaison and Cooperative Research
4-5-7, Konan, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-8477, Japan
TEL:+81-3-5463-0859 FAX:+81-3-5463-0894●Organization for Revitalization of the Sanriku Region
and Regional Development
4-3-5 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8551, Japan
TEL:+81-19-621-6629 FAX:+81-19-621-6656●Sanriku Education and Research Center for Marine Biosciences160-4, Uto, Okirai, Sanriku-cho, Ofunato-city, Iwate,022-0101, Japan
TEL:+81-192-44-2121 FAX:+81-192-44-2125

Marine Fisheries IOF Promotion Oﬃce
●Kesennuma OfficeKesennuma Umi-no-ichi 3F,7-13
Umiichiba-mae, Kesennuma City
Miyagi Prefecture, 988-0037, Japan
TEL/FAX:+81-226-29-6719●Higashimukojima OfficeTokyo Higashi Shinkin Bank
2-36-10 Higashimukojima, Sumida-ku,
Tokyo 131-0032, Japan
TEL/FAX:+81-3-6657-4002●Iwate Office
Iwate University
Regional Cooperation Department office
4-3-5 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate 020-8551, Japan
TEL:+81-19-621-6629 FAX:+81-19-621-6656