EU-Japan Regional Cluster Forum
Building cooperation between European and Japanese research & innovation regional clusters
1. Objectives
Globalisation of research and innovation and global competition are putting a new emphasis on the role of regional clusters and further their development. Clusters increasingly see the need to link with other clusters on the international level building on complementarities in order to improve their global reach.
In Europe, regional clusters seen as key drivers for competitiveness, innovation and regional development are being promoted through both national-level measures and EU-level support instruments, notably the 7th EU Research Framework Programme, the Cohesion Policy Funds and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme.
In Japan, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have been promoting the “Knowledge Cluster Initiative”, “City Area Program” and “Industrial Cluster Project for the reinforcement of the international competitiveness and development of regions.
The objective of the EU-Japan Regional Cluster Forum is to stimulate and facilitate global outreach of European and Japanese clusters through a) increasing mutual awareness on cluster policies, development methods and management practices, and b) fostering cooperation between research and innovation regional clusters in Europe and in Japan.
2. Outline
Organisers:
- The European Commission, in collaboration with the EU Member States
- The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
- The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- The Cabinet Office
- In cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO)
Date:
2-3 December 2008 (same time as the annual fair "Cluster Japan 2008")
Venue:
Pacifico Yokohama Conference Centre, Yokohama, Japan http://www.pacifico.co.jp/english/index.html
Targeted attendance:
Managers of Japanese and European clusters as well research, industrial, financial representative of clusters; European and Japanese officials from ministries, embassies and agencies.
Interpretation: English/Japanese simultaneous interpretation will be provided
3. Registration
Fee: Free of charge
Registration: Compulsory
In Japan: By sending your name and contact details by email to the contact points below or by entering them through the homepage of the event “Cluster Japan 2008”
In Europe: By sending by email your name and contact details to the Delegation of the European Commission to Japan at: Delegation-Japan-st(at)ec.europa.eu
Contact persons:
- Delegation of the European Commission to Japan, Dr. Philippe de Taxis du Poët, (Philippe.de-Taxis-du-Poet(at)ec.europa.eu) and Mr. Akira Kimura (Akira.Kimura(at)ec.europa.eu), Phone: 03-3239-0794, Fax: 03-3261-5194
- European Commission, DG Research in Brussels: Dr. Leonidas Karapiperis, Leonidas.karapiperis(at)ec.europa.eu
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mr. Iwasawa, Imazaki, Phone: 03-3501-2067 E-mail: iwasawa-masaru(at)meti.go.jp
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (MEXT), Regional R&D Promotion Division, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Messrs Saito, Suzuki, Yamashita, and Yasuda, Phone:03-6734-4023 E-mail:tiiki(at)mext.go.jp