Kyoto University Participates in USJI Week in Washington DC (September 14, 2016)

USJI Week was held in Washington DC on September 14, 2016 by the US-Japan Research Institute (USJI), which is jointly operated by nine Japanese universities including Kyoto University. The event drew a large audience, including delegates from Japanese and US government bodies, companies, and universities.

Prof. Eiichi Yamaguchi and Prof. Eriko Kawai of Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (GSAIS) attended the event. Prof. Kawai also serves as an operating advisor of the USJI. Kyoto University organized a session as part of the event program titled “The Role of Government in Promoting Small Innovative Firms: The Small Business Research Initiative in the US and Japan.” Dr. Matthew Portony of the National Institutes of Health and Dr. Mariko Yoshihara Yang of Stanford University were invited to the session as guest speakers.

The session focused on a comparison of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) systems in Japan and the US, exploring the role of government in promoting small businesses. During the session, panelists delivered presentations about the SBIR system, including presentations on the SBIR system operated by NIH, the history and background of the SBIR system’s establishment, and issues relating to the SBIR system in Japan. An audience of approximately thirty people attended the session, and participated in a lively discussion afterwards.

Kyoto University is an active participant in the USJI, and the university’s researchers and students frequently participate in USJI programs held in the US. Information about the USJI’s activities, including USJI Week, is available in both Japanese and English from the USJI website.

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