From November 24 to 26, 2025, the France-Japan Forum was held in Lyon, France. Organized by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Strasbourg Office, the event was co-hosted by Tohoku University, INSA Lyon, Centrale Lyon, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
In line with the theme of ‘Energy Transition and Materials: Experiments and multiscale modelling for improved performance and new applications’, a wide range of research was presented, from innovative measurement technologies involving synchrotron radiation experiments to materials processing technologies and numerical simulations.
Tohoku University’s Professor Hiroshi Jinnai and Professor Gota Kikugawa, who both served as coordinators for the forum, contributed greatly to the planning and execution of the event. In addition, three researchers from the university presented their latest research findings at the forum.
Vice President (for Comprehensive Internationalization) and Chief Global Officer (CGO) Marie-Pierre Favre delivered opening remarks and spoke about the significance of academic exchange between Japan and France, emphasizing the importance of further strengthening exchanges.
There was also a roundtable session with industry representatives who shared a common view that the future of energy should contain a portfolio of technologies. Based on this understanding, panelists shared ideas related to promoting international and interdisciplinary collaborations that bring together industry and academia, leverage the strengths of Japan and France, appeal to student participants, and contribute to human resource development.
In the last session, the director of the Tohoku University Institute of Fluid Science, Professor Kaoru Maruta, shared some closing remarks and described the forum as a venue for creating new ideas and forming long-term partnerships.
As Japan’s first University for International Research Excellence (UREX), Tohoku University will continue promoting research collaboration that helps solve global challenges through active participation in international events and frameworks.
(L-R) Tohoku University Emeritus Professor Shigenao Maruyama, CGO Marie-Pierre Favre, and IFS Director Kaoru Maruta participate in a roundtable discussion
Group picture of participants at the France-Japan Forum 2025
