(ANSA) – TOKYO, April 08 – Cooperation in the space sector was the focus of a two-day event organized by the Italian Embassy in Tokyo in collaboration with the space agencies of the two countries and the University of Tokyo. “The Italian Innovation Day – Space is the first initiative to present Italian scientific and industrial expertise in high-tech sectors in Japan and to strengthen contacts with Japanese counterparts,” said Ambassador Gianluigi Benedetti in his opening remarks. The ambassador emphasized the potential of space research and opportunities for industrial and academic cooperation, and the fact that it was identified as one of the priority sectors at the meeting held in Rome of the heads of government of Italy and Japan last January, on this occasion. And that the bilateral relations have been elevated to the level of “strategic partnership”.
The first working day was attended by more than 40 Italian and Japanese companies and representatives of 15 research institutions who exchanged ideas, experiences and information at two round tables also animated by the astronauts Roberto Vittori and Naoko Yamazaki. “The meeting of the Italian and Japanese space communities, industries and scientists, on these two days, was an important moment in the history of bilateral relations between Italy and Japan,” the head of the Italian Space Agency told ANSA (ASI). Giorgio Saccoccia. “The two systems share many points, from management to satellite applications and infrastructures. They have different interests and common capabilities, such as space exploration and observation of the Earth and the universe. We can say that a new chapter, the spring of bilateral relations in space.”
The participating companies also had the opportunity to hold various B2B meetings and in some cases achieve the first operational agreements. “I am sure that today’s exchange of views and experiences will lead to new synergies and opportunities for cooperation and joint ventures – the Ambassador emphasized in his greeting addressed to the participants of the reception in residence – but I also hope that this event will manage to create a community of entrepreneurs and researchers with the same desire and determination to work together for a long time in space to expand the frontiers of our knowledge, strengthen our economic systems, and enhance the well-being of our communities.”
The second day was devoted to more meetings between companies and consultations between the two space agencies, which concluded a technical cooperation agreement and discussed a wide range of possible collaborations. (handle).
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