Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

Switzerland - Japan Bilateral Digest 2008 – 2009

1969-2009 Science Counselor Tokyo (1969-2009) 40 years of promoting Swiss science, technology, innovation and higher education in Japan. The position of science counselor at Swiss embassies was created in 1958, when the first counselor was sent to Washington. Not much later in 1969, his subsequent colleagues were sent to Tokyo1 and Moscow. In 2003, the Science & Technology Office was established as part of the 17 Swiss science counselors’ network around the globe at embassies and in several «swissnex» - the Swiss houses for scientific and technological exchange. The Science & Technology Office is an information, coordination and networking platform within the Embassy of Switzerland in Tokyo.

October 2009

Swiss + Symposium (October 06, 2009) To celebrate the entry into force of the Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Switzerland and Japan, the “Swiss + Symposium” was held at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo on October 6, 2009 with the presence of Mrs. Doris Leuthard, Vice President and Minister of Economy of the Swiss Confederation and a high-level delegation of the Swiss business, academia and governmental community. The Symposium consisted of a main forum, several workshops and events. As an integral part of this event, the “S&T Research Workshop” was organized by the S&T Office of the Embassy of Switzerland. CTOs of leading Swiss companies presented good examples on their entrepreneurial spirit, how research is being done, showed ways to partner with universities, and what the success drivers are. The Sustainability Academia Colloquium followed the workshop.

Science & Technology In Society (STS) forum (October 04-06, 2009) The 6th Annual Meeting of the STS forum was held in Kyoto from October 4-6, 2009 under the overall theme of “The Lights and Shadows of Science and Technology”. Over 800 scientists, policymakers, business executives and media leaders gathered from 85 countries, regions and international organizations. The 16-headed Swiss delegation included Dr. Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, State Secretary for Education and Research, Dr. Fritz Schiesser, President ETH Board, Prof. Ralph Eichler, President ETH Zurich, Prof. Alexander Zehnder, former President ETH Board, Prof. Konrad Osterwalder, President UNU as well as two Nobel Laureates Dr. Richard Ernst and Dr. J. Georg Bednorz.

ETH Zurich And Hosei University Renewed Cooperation (October 02, 2009) Prof. Ralph Eichler, President of ETH Zurich, and Prof. Toshio Masuda, President of Hosei University signed a renewal of their existing “Agreement of Cooperation” between the two institutions on October 2, 2009. The Hosei University already has a presence in Zurich, with Prof. Claude Siegenthaler as the director of the Hosei University European Research Center Zurich (HERZ), to facilitate the exchange of faculty and students. During his visit to Japan, President Eichler pursued further cooperation agreements between ETH Zurich and top- level Japanese institutions.

SCIENCEsuisse Exhibition (October 06, 19-26, 2009) After being showcased in Boston and Singapore, the SCIENCEsuisse exhibition arrived in Tokyo, where it was first displayed in the framework of the “Swiss + Symposium”. Then between October 19-26, the exhibition was shown at Hosei University, where an opening event was held in the presence of Prof. Rolf Pfeifer, Director of AI Lab, University of Zurich.

1 Mr. Jean-Jacques Rollard, an electrical engineer, was the first Science Counselor from 1969 to 1974 at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tokyo. His most recent successors were Dr. Jean-Marie Rayroux (1986-1998) and Dr. Eric Merk (1999-2002). From 2003, Dr. Felix Moesner took over the function as Science Counselor and head of the Science & Technology Office.

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

SCIENCEsuisse is an introduction to the fascinating world of science. Under the lens of Swiss photographer Andri Poll, the exhibition profiles many outstanding researchers working in Switzerland from a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from biology, astrophysics, robotics, and genetics to research in philosophy, economics, biblical history, and criminology.

Tokyo Colloquium 2009 (October 08, 2009) The 3rd International Tokyo Colloquium was held at Grand Hyatt and Hosei University on October 6-8, following successful gatherings in 2005 and 2007. Developed under the partnership of ETH Zurich, University of Tokyo, United Nations University and Hosei University, TC 2009 was an opportunity for university leaders to engage in a constructive dialogue with the stakeholders of higher education. This year, the event featured the Sustainability Academia Colloquium, a panel addressing the role of universities in building a sustainable economic system, a symposium to review the advancement of “Education for Sustainable Development” inside the academic sector from various perspectives and an exclusive workshop for students addressing the social responsi- bility of science.

ShanghAI Lectures Featured at Swiss-Japan Mini Symposium (October 19, 2009) The beginning of the ShanghAI Lectures, empowered by Prof. Rolf Pfeifer, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (AI Lab), University of Zurich was celebrated by a Swiss- Japan Mini Symposium on October 19 at Hosei University. The event was a great success with the room packed with experts and students listening intensely to Prof. Pfeifer’s presentation on the global lecture series on “Natural and Artificial Intelligence”, which had opened only four days prior to the symposium. The professor also gave interviews to major media outlets, which were very much interested in the 3D virtual world learning experience and experiment of the ShanghAI Lectures. 23 universities from around the world are participating in the ShanghAI Lectures with three universities in Japan.

JCA-Mauvernay Award For Oncology Research (October 05, 2009) Debiopharm, a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group focusing on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs, and the Japanese Cancer Association (JCA) presented ‘The JCA-Mauvernay Award’ to Dr. Toshikazu Ushijima from the National Cancer Center Research Institute in Tokyo for his outstanding and innovative research in basic science in the “epigenetic field for cancerization”. The ceremony took place during the 68th JCA Annual Conference, where Prof. S. Hirohashi, President of the JCA and Dr. R.-Y. Mauvernay, Founder and President of Debiopharm Group presented the Award.

JASSO Study Abroad Fair 2009 (October 17, 2009) The Swiss Education Information Booth was actively present at the Study Abroad Fair 2009 hosted by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). Embassies and education-related organizations from 13 countries or regions participated in the event held on October 17. A total of 459 visitors attended the event, which was an increase of more than 50 from the previous year. Switzerland was well represented by the Science & Technology Office of the Swiss Embassy in Tokyo. The Swiss booth was busy throughout the day answering inquiries from numerous visitors. A presentation given by the S&T Office on the Swiss education landscape drew in a large number of students, many of whom subsequently visited the booth.

Swiss-Japanese Cooperation In Life-Science (October 26-30, 2009) A high-level delegation from Toyama Prefecture signed a cooperation agreement with Basel that should deepen their relation in the field of life sciences during their visit to Switzerland from October 26-30. Like Basel, Toyama Prefecture is home of major pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnologies companies. The cooperation agreement, signed between Governor of Toyama Prefecture Takakazu Ishii and Basel’s Governor Urs Wüthrich, should provide for mutual assistance for high-tech exhibitions, match making as well as encourage the exchange between academic institutions and companies.

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

Japanese-Swiss Joint Research Project On Nano-Science (October 29, 2009) The Institute of Microengineering (IMT) of EPFL in Neuchatel, Switzerland and the International Center for Materi- als Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) of NIMS in Tsukuba, Japan have launched a 2 year joint research project called “Cantilever and Probe Array Technology (CAPATEC)”. The project is aiming for the development of multiple cantilever/probe technologies for applications in nano science. The leading expertise of the two competence centers in micro- and nano-fabrication at IMT (Director Prof. N. de Rooij) and nano-science and characterization at MANA (Director Prof. M. Aono) complement each other very well to explore new approaches in these fields. Various probe arrays with different functionalities will be fabricated at IMT and applied for research investigations at MANA; the cantilever/probe arrays will be used as advanced sensors and multiple cantilevers for scanning probe microscopy.

Swiss Automation Companies Participate In Desk Top Factory Research Consortium (October 31, 2009) The 8th Suwa Area Industrial Messe was held from October 15 to 17 in Nagano and 252 companies took part. The Suwa Messe started in 2002 to display highly developed precision products and technologies of the Suwa’s region. Last year, more than 27,000 people visited the exhibition. Swiss companies were invited to participate in the 2009 exhibition as part of the JETRO Regional Industry Tie-up program by Suwa’s Desk Top Factory Research Consor- tium projects. These firms are specialized in various industrial areas: machine tools, precision machinery, watch and instrument manufacturing and metal working.

Swiss Biotech Pavilion At BioJapan 2009 (October 07-09, 2009) BioJapan 2009, the 11th edition of the longest-established international bioindustry event in Asia, was held in Yokohama from October 7-9. Switzerland was represented by the Swiss Biotech Pavilion, where co-exhibitors included the S&T Office of the Embassy of Switzerland, Bachem AG, C-CIT AG, Genionics AG, Lonza as well as Swiss Biotech, Swiss Business Hub Japan, Location Promotion, BaselArea, BernCapitalArea, BioAlps, BioPolo, Greater Zurich Area, Swiss Exchange, and CTI. Total attendance at BioJapan 2009 was over 23’000. This year’s presence is based on long-standing achievements set by the S&T Office.

September 2009

Switzerland 1st Overseas National Exhibitor At Innovation Japan 2009 (September 16-18, 2009) Empowered by the Science & Technology Office, the Swiss Innovation Booth presented Europe’s most innovative country’s excellence in innovation, science & technology to Japan’s most sophisticated universities, research institutions, offices of technology transfer and potential business partners. Innovation Japan 2009, the nation’s largest exhibition focusing on all aspects of innovation, attracted this year more than 50’000 visitors. Swiss Participants included ACL Instruments, BlueBotics, Celeroton, EAWAG, EMPA, EPFL, Ingecom, Lyncée Tec, PSI, Sonic Emotion, SwiTT Office and UNI Basel.

JST-ETHZ Workshop On Medical Research (September 22-23, 2009) JST and ETHZ organized a second Workshop on Molecular Medical Research in September in Japan. After Opening Remarks from Prof. Takehiko Sasazuki and Prof. Georg Holländer, the presentations were organized in 5 sessions including Pharmacogenomics, Bioinformatics, Translational Research, Proteomics and Genes and Gene Networks involved in Disease. The workshop provided a platform for scientific discussions, meeting scientists from the partner country personally and establishing new cooperativ efforts. In order to meet Swiss and Japanese scientific communities a reception was also held at the residence of the ambassador of Switzerland.

3rd Switzerland-Japan Workshop on Biomechanics (September 01-04, 2009) The 3rd Switzerland-Japan Workshop on Biomechanics (SJB 2009) was held in Engelberg, Switzer- land. Dedicated to “Biomechanical Imaging: from Nano to Macro” and organized by the Institute for 2 S 0 Biomechanics at ETH Zurich, it gathered more than 100 actively participating scientists and industry representatives looking to strengthen the relationship between the two countries’ SJB biomechanics and bioimaging communities for future advancement in the life sciences. In particular, the Workshop gave an in depth overview of recent progress in the quantitative description, 0 B 9 modeling and simulation of biomechanical processes driven by novel bioimaging approaches.

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

University Of St.Gallen And Waseda University Signed Agreement (September 04, 2009) The Executive Master of European and International Business Law (M.B.L.-HSG), University of St.Gallen has concluded an agreement with Waseda University to establish a new module of the program on Japanese Business and Law held at Waseda University. The agreement is also intended to further the collaboration in teaching and research activities between the two universities. The agreement has been signed between Prof. Kaoru Kamata, Dean of Waseda University Law School, and Prof. Dr. Carl Baudenbacher, President of the EFTA Court and Director of the Executive M.B.L.-HSG. The new module of the Executive M.B-L.- HSG will be taking place for the first time in the last week of August 2010.

Sustainable Collaboration Solution For Energy Conference In Switzerland and Japan (September 14, 2009) The R'09 Twin Conference on sustainable resource management took place virtually at separate venues on two continents simultaneously: Davos, Switzerland, and Nagoya, Japan. Cisco’s virtual collaboration solution recreated the in-person experience by connecting the two venues to create a virtual auditorium where people felt as though they were in the same location. Staging the conference simultaneously on two continents avoids the need for many participants to take intercontinental flights. The move could reduce CO2 output by around one-third. It was shown that at one earlier conference, the 6 percent of attendees who flew intercontinental to the venue accounted for 57 percent of the total environmental impact.

Young Professional Exchange Of Professionals Between Japan And Switzerland (September 01, 2009) Mario Gattiker, Vice Director FOM and Ichiro Komatsur, Japanese Ambassador in Switzerland, agreed on the sign- ing of a Memorandum concerning the bi-directional exchange of young professionals between the two countries. Activities requiring technological knowledge, such as engineers, are of special interest for this program. Profes- sionals of Swiss nationality, under the age of 35, will be granted a permit for a temporary stay in Japan of 1 year (extendable to 2 years). Applicants should be adequately covered by workers compensation, accident and health insurance.

Switzerland And Japan Are Top Competitive ( September 08, 2009) Japan took eighth place in the Global Competitiveness Report released by the World Eco- nomic Forum, moving up one spot from last year's ranking. While Japan fell to last place in the government debt category, impressive scores in private-sector categories, including those related to manufacturing, pushed up its overall position. Japan placed first in several private- sector categories, including "capacity for innovation" and "production process sophistica- tion." Meanwhile, in the government section, the country fell to 132nd place in terms of debt to gross domestic product. Switzerland took the overall top spot, scoring high in such categories as "company spending on R&D" and "quality of scientific research institutions."

Swiss Vaccine for H1N1 Influenza (September 12, 2009) Swiss drug maker Novartis will begin conducting a clinical test to ensure the safety and effectiveness of its vaccine for the H1N1 strain of influenza. The clinical test, involving some 200 healthy adults at first and around 100 children later, will be made so the company can export the vaccine to Japan. Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will allow overseas drugmakers to sell their vaccines for the new influenza in Japan without conducting a clinical test in Japan based on the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and obtaining its approval, if the drugs have already been approved by drug authorities overseas.

Swiss Plastics Manufacturer Becomes Japanese (September 09, 2009) Mitsubishi Plastics Inc. acquired major Swiss engineering plastics manufacturer Quadrant AG. The Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. unit increased its indirect stake in Quadrant from 33% to 95.33% as of Aug. 26. A total of about 13.3 billion yen was spent on the move. Mitsubishi Plastics aims to buy all of the remaining shares by the end of the first half of 2010 on the market and through direct transactions. Through the acquisition, the company hopes to bolster overseas sales of high-performance resin used in automobiles and machine parts.

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

August 2009

1st Drug For Alcoholism Based On Swiss Compound (August 11, 2009) Midsize pharmaceutical company Nippon Shinyaku Co. has entered the final phase of clinical testing on what is expected to become the first drug in Japan for treating alcohol dependence. The compound, called acamprosate, works by controlling the activity of the neurotransmitter glutamic acid in the brain, lessening withdrawal symptoms and the craving for alcohol. Nippon Shinyaku licensed development and marketing rights to Japan from the Swiss drug company Merck Serono International SA.

Tamiflu From Switzerland Designed For Hot And Humid Japan (August 22, 2009) Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. plans to produce a modified version of the Tamiflu influenza drug that is designed for Japan's hot and humid weather. This would be the first time for the subsidiary of Swiss drugmaker Roche Holdings Ltd. to manufacture Tamiflu in Japan. Chugai will produce Tamiflu in a powdered form known as dry syrup. Taken by mixing with water, this type is often preferred over capsules by young children and the elderly. The firm will im- port the active ingredients for Tamiflu from Switzerland and finish the product in Japan.

Swiss Drugmaker Becomes Japanese (August 10, 2009) Zeria Pharmaceutical Co. said on Aug. 4 that it will purchase all shares of Swiss drugmaker Tillotts Pharma AG for CHF 136 million ($128.1 million) on Sept. 1. The move will expand the Japanese drugmaker's product lineup and overseas sales channels. The Swiss firm, the strengths of which include the ulcerative colitis treatment Asacol and a drug for hypersensitive bowel syndrome, posted 4.3 billion yen in sales in 2008.

July 2009

Silver and Bronze Medals For Swiss Biology Olympian (July 18, 2009) The 20th Biology Olympiad held at Tsukuba, Japan, proved to be a very successful event for the Swiss Delegation. All four Swiss participants received honors in the form of two bronze (Martin Michel and Claudia Simonett) and two silver medals (Linus Meier and Stefanie Tanner). The participants’ knowledge and ability to solve scientific questions was tested in a theoretical and practical exam. During the social events and excursions the students had the opportunity to exchange ideas and make friendships with other participants from 56 different nations. In order to honor their achievements the Swiss Ambassador Paul Fivat wel- comed the delegation at the Embassy of Switzerland.

Approval For Cancer Drug Submitted In Switzerland (July 27, 2009) Eisai Co. said it has filed for marketing approval in Switzerland for the first anti-cancer drug that uses a compound discovered and developed by the firm. Positioned as its next-generation cancer treatment, E7389 is expected to be commercialized initially as a medicine for breast cancer. Eisai also plans to submit applications in the three main markets of Japan, the U.S. and Europe by the end of this fiscal year. The drug candidate is said to fight tumors by suppressing cell division, with clinical trials showing its efficacy. Eisai intends to use the medicine to treat other types of cancer as well, conducting clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe for prostate cancer.

June 2009

Switzerland And Japan Most Innovative Countries (June 01, 2009) In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) recent ranking of the world’s most innovative countries, Switzerland is ranked second following Japan. Thus, Switzerland holds the top position among the European countries surveyed. Two of Switzerland’s main advantages are its highly skilled workforce and its willingness to invest in research. According to the authors of the study, Japan and Switzer- land will retain the top 2 spots during the next four years. The authors expect that changes are most likely to occur in countries at the bottom of the ranking, for instance Mexico and China.

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

20th Anniversary Of The Human Frontier Science Program (June 01, 2009) The 20th anniversary celebration of the Human Frontier Science Program, which supports international research and training at the frontier of life sciences, was held in Tokyo on June 1. Prof. Torsten Wiesel, winner of the 1981 Noble Prize in Medicine and former Secretary General of HFSP, as well as Prof. Masao Ito, former President of HFSP, gave keynote lectures. The anniversary ceremony was also attended by Mr. Yasuhiro Nakasone, former prime minister of Japan and founder of HFSP. Switzerland participated as one of the sup- porting countries of the program, along with Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the U.K., the U.S. and the European Union.

Keio University Study Abroad Fair 2009 (June 10, 2009) The excellence of Swiss educational landscape was presented at the Keio University annual study abroad fair, held on June 10. Two exchange students studying at Keio, Ms. Nicole Bigler from the University of Zurich and Ms. Rahel van Oostrum from the University of Bern, supported the Swiss Universities booth, organized by the Science & Technology Office of the Embassy of Switzerland. A separate presentation by Dr. Felix Moesner, head of the S&T Office, also attracted prospective students to the booth, where they could receive more de- tailed information, including materials from the universities and useful overviews in Japanese.

Swiss NAGRA Visits JAEA (June 30, 2009) The visit of Swiss National Cooperative for Disposal of Radioactive Waste (NAGRA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Thomas Ernst to Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) Tokai Re- search and Development Center, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Research Institute was reported by the JAEA media. Dr Ernst visited the Engineering Scale Test and Research Facility (ENTRY) and Quantitative Assessment Radionuclide Migration Experimental Facility (QUALITY) after exchanging information with JAEA President, Toshio Okazaki on the progress in Switzerland to choose the location for underground nuclear-waste repository.

May 2009

ETH Zurich President Visits Japan (May 10-12, 2009) The President of ETH Zurich, Prof. Ralph Eichler visited Japan from May 10 to12 with a delegation of three other professors, the Director of International Institutional Affairs and the CEO of the ETH Alumni Association. The group visited ministry officials, top executives at governmental research institutions, a funding agency, private companies, researchers at a national museum of science and innovation, as well as presidents of universities, to enhance the scientific and academic cooperation between Switzerland and Japan. Prof. Eichler also gave a presentation on the latest accomplishments of ETH Zurich at a luncheon organized by the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan.

ETH Zurich Alumni Inauguration Japan Chapter (May 11, 2009) The ETH Zurich Alumni Japan Chapter was launched on May 11 and a reception was hosted by the Swiss Ambassador Mr. Paul Fivat to celebrate the event. The inauguration was honored by the attendance of Prof. Ralph Eichler, President of ETH Zurich, Prof. Konrad Osterwalder, President of the United Nations University, Dr. Louis Schlapbach, Director of Empa and Dr. Peter Brunner, CEO of ETH Alumni Organization. The event gave the participants the first official chance to exchange experiences among the network of professionals and opened the door for future collaborations. Dr. Cyrille Artho, Chairman of the Japan Chapter, announced plans to hold a joint event with the ETH Alumni network in Shanghai.

Nestlé’s Research Unit At The University Of Tokyo (May 20, 2009) Nestlé launched its first Japan-based research unit for fundamental scientific research. The research unit is based at the University of Tokyo, and focuses on fundamental research in nutrition and health. The collaboration between Nestlé and the University of Tokyo is further strengthened by a joint research program called Food for Life. The program will explore future research topics in health and nutrition for the 21st century. Through sharing knowledge and expertise, the research will provide scientific basis for developing new products that will

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009 bring health benefits to consumers in Japan and worldwide.

EPFL, Japan Consortium To Cooperate In Micro-Factory (May 20, 2009) The Institut de Microtechnique IMT of the EPFL in Switzerland and DFT (Desk Top Factory) Research Consortium in Japan endorsed an agreement for technological cooperation and exchange in micro-factory areas. The two organizations plan to jointly develop activities such as exchanges of academic scholars and engineers, offering of equipment for common research, planning and execution of joint research programs, and the execution of joint conferences and seminars. The cooperation is expected to promote the advancement of research and international understanding between the two sides.

Swiss-Japan Joint Seminar On Chromosome Dynamics And Genomic Stability (May 14-16, 2009) A Swiss-Japan joint seminar on “Chromosome Dynamics and Genomic Stability,” which covered the whole range of topics that are of fundamental importance in understanding the molecular cell biology of cancer, aging, and other genome-associated disorders such as Fanconi’s Anemia, Bloom’s or Werner’s Syndromes, Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome, or Lynch syndrome, was held in Villars, Switzerland, between May 14 and 16. Both nations are internationally competitive at the highest level in these fields and it is hoped that this joint seminar generates future bilateral scientific communication and collaboration between Switzerland and Japan, as well as new insights and opportunities for the development of therapeutic agents.

New Cancer Drug In Japan Within Reach (May 15, 2009) Novartis Pharma KK expects to apply as early as 2010 for approval to market the RAD001 cancer drug as a treatment for pancreatic cancer. RAD001 is being tested in North American and European clinical trials for eight types of cancers. In Japan, Novartis has already applied to market RAD001 for treatment of renal cell carcinoma and is now entering into phase III trials on its use to treat islet cell tumors in the pancreas. Safety and efficacy data will be collected and analyzed in preparation for submission next year. The company is also testing RAD001 for stomach cancer and expects to move into phase III trials within this year.

Japanese Company Buys Leading Swiss Resin Producer (May 04, 2009) Mitsubishi Plastics Inc. said it will purchases a Swiss high-performance plastics producer Quadrant AG. With the domestic market for commodity-grade plastics used in packaging and building materials in the doldrums, Mitsubishi Plastics aims to use the acquisition to shore up its overseas network. All takeover costs will be borne by Mitsubishi Plastics, which will also assign executives to the Swiss company. Quadrant is strong in emerging markets, with bases in eastern and southern Europe as well as India. With manufacturing and sales sites in 19 locations worldwide, the takeover will push Mitsubishi Plastics' overseas presence to 27 facilities.

April 2009

Second Chair For Japanese Studies At University Of Zurich (April 26, 2009) In the process of fundraising, the president of the University of Zurich introduced two projects, which are about to be implemented: The foundation ‘Mercator Schweiz’ is going to provide 3 Million Swiss Francs – dispersed over six years - to get a second, social-scientifically orientated chair for Japanese studies. For two years the foundation will be backing up the cross-cultural exchange between Switzerland and Japan. The foundation’s interests are meeting the strategically planning of the university, which is about to extend its Asia-scientific subjects. Progressively – after six years on the whole – the financing is taken over by the university itself.

March 2009

Conference To Increase Swiss-Japanese Cross-Cultural Competences (March 19-20, 2009) More than 70 exponents of economy, authorities and academia gathered at the university- and ETH-Zurich to identify success factors of Swiss-Japanese collaboration. They analyzed the cultural dimensions of productive trans-cultural relations - from language skill to the understanding of differing working modes and administrative processes. Starting from case studies brought to the conference by participants, approaches towards cultural- scientific support of managers, engineers and researchers throughout the life-cycle of pro-

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009 jects was developed. With both countries taking the lead in fields of physics, chemistry, life- and environmental- sciences, computer science, robotics and design, collaboration is gaining momentum – supported by the 2007 science & technology cooperation and the 2009 free-trade agreement.

February 2009

1st Switzerland-Japan Joint Committee Meeting On S&T Cooperation (February 04, 2009) The first meeting under the Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology between Switzerland and Japan took place in Bern on February 4, 2009. The Joint Committee was co-chaired by Dr. Paul-Erich Zinsli, Deputy Director, State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) and H.E. Mr. Seiji Kojima, Ambassador for S&T Coop- eration of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and was attended by 26 representatives from government and academia with a wide range of backgrounds. The discussions covered numerous topics, leading to exchanges of views on S&T policy, international collaboration and related issues. All participants were very pleased with the high level of collaborative research, and at the same time, recognized that there was much more valuable work that could be done. The Committee noted that over the last few years, a number of agreements had been signed between Swiss and Japanese research agencies, research institutes and universities, which would help facilitate future collaboration to the benefit of both countries. The next Joint Committee will be held in Japan within a few years.

Japanese-Swiss Free Trade Agreement (February 19, 2009) Japan and Switzerland signed a free trade agreement paving the way for the two countries to eliminate tariffs on more than 99% of their trade in value terms over the next 10 years. The agreement, signed by Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Swiss Economy Minister Doris Leuthard in Tokyo, will come into effect by the end of this year if the two countries complete necessary domestic ratification procedures as scheduled. It is the 11th free trade agreement signed by Japan. This latest FTA is Japan's first with a European country. It is officially called an economic partnership agreement, which will cover cooperation in investment and services in addition to trade in goods. Details: www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/fta/switzerland.html

Swiss Pavilion At World’s Largest Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo (February 25-27, 2009) The Swiss Pavilion was organized by the Science & Technology Office at the FC EXPO 2009 to promote the excellence of Switzerland’s hydrogen and fuel cell related technologies at the world’s largest exhibition in this field with 26’240 visitors. Swiss Participants including EMPA, PSI, ETH Zurich, HTceramix, Radiamon, WEKA, Ceka Elektrowerkzeuge, MES-DEA, and Location Promotion Switzerland saw more than 650 experts and professionals visiting the Swiss Pavilion. PAC-Car II with a world record in fuel efficiency was shown for the first time overseas and helped attract an overwhelming interest from the media. The Swiss Pavil- ion was covered in numerous television programs, newspapers, magazines and online publications in Japan as well as abroad.

Swiss Pavilion At World's Largest Nanotech Expo (February 18-20, 2009) The Swiss Pavilion was organized by inno-X and supported by the Science & Technology Office at nanotech 2009 - the largest nanotechnology event in the world. The expo, held February 18-20 in Tokyo for the 8th time, attracted 47’272 visitors. Exhibitors of the Swiss Pavilion presented their most recent achievements in micromachining technology, 3D- topography analysis, cleaning processes, digital holography microscopy, thin film production, mass replication of micro- and nanostructures, micro-molding of nanostructures and surface analysis, coatings for stainless steel, aluminum and zinc surfaces. The Swiss excellence in nanotechnology was underlined by the Swiss MNT Network, the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, and the EPFL Center of Micronanotechnology.

St. Gallen – Hitotsubashi Universities’ Student Exchange Program (February 09, 2009) Students from St. Gallen University and Hitotsubashi University participating in the “Global Energy Transfer 2009” Switzerland – Japan project were invited to a reception at the Resi- dence of Chargée d'Affairs, Ms. Marianne Gramm to officially kick off the self-organized student exchange program, which consists of joint forums, company visits and two-week home

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009 stays in their respective countries. The Swiss students, most of whom had already been touring Japan for a week, emphasized their re-acknowledgement that such exchanges are vital for a better mutual understanding between different cultures. Other guests included Ms. Sonoko Watanabe from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Sci- ence and Technology (MEXT) , Mr. Yuji Suzuki, Chairman, Credit Suisse Group Japan Representative Office, Mr. Katsuyohsi Kanno, Japan Student Services Organization, and Prof. Yoko Ishikura of Hitotsubashi University and CSTP.

Agreement For Swiss Thin Film Solar Cell Production Line (February 27, 2009) Tokyo Electron Ltd. has signed a sales agreement with Oerlikon Solar Ltd. for domestic marketing of the Swiss firm's fully integrated manufacturing lines for thin-film solar cells. Tokyo Electron hopes to make solar cell manufacturing equipment a third pillar of its business after manufacturing equipment for semiconductors and LCD panels. The company is collaborating with Sharp Corp. on the development of equipment for thin-film solar cells, but by partnering with Oerlikon Solar it can broaden its lineup to include fully integrated lines. The sales agreement with Tokyo Electron gives Oerlikon an avenue into the markets of Asia.

January 2009

ETH Zurich Alumni Prepare For Japan Chapter (January 21, 2009) ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich) Alumni gathered for an informal meeting to prepare for the launch of an official chapter in Japan, which has been proposed by the Executive Board of ETH Zurich. Professor Konrad Osterwalder, former Rector of ETH Zurich and current Rector of the United Nations University headquartered in Tokyo, also gave his endorsement by attending the event. He gave the “kampai” or toast, after a welcome speech by Dr. Felix Moesner, S&T Attaché of the Embassy of Switzerland. As important result, the participants approved Dr. Cyrille Artho, researcher at AIST and Ms. Yumiko Watanabe, an IP specialist at Dupont, as the first chairpersons for the Japan chapter.

December 2008

Innovation In Manufacturing For A More Sustainable World (December 02, 2008) Swiss Professor Claudio R. Boër, Chairman of the Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) International Steering Committee, spoke in Tokyo where he introduced the idea of a para- digm-change in manufacturing and business model by converting from mass production to mass customization, to better satisfy the needs of the consumer as well as the society. The professor, talking at the IMS Technical Conference, suggested companies should only produce what is necessary, when it is necessary and according to the wishes of the consumer, all the while respecting the sustainability of the society. It requires efforts on the enterprises but it can bring large benefits not only in economical terms but also in social and ecological terms. IMS contribute to dissemination of models and best practices for a more sustainable manufacturing.

November 2008

Joseph Deiss, Former President Of The Swiss Confederation, Honored By The Emperor (November 11, 2008) Joseph Deiss, Former Minister and President Of The Swiss Confederation, was bestowed with the ‘Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun’ by the Emperor of Japan for his contribution to the good economic relations between the two countries. During his visit to Tokyo, Deiss gave a lecture on “Japan and Switzerland: common strategies against the world economic crisis”. De- iss had initiated talks with Japan for the ‘Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Swiss Federal Council on Cooperation in Science and Technology’ signed in July 2007. Sepa- rately, Philippe Neeser, former president of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCIJ), was also honored by the Emperor for his contribution to the deeper understanding between Japan and Switzerland on economic and cultural relations.

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

Education Fair 2008 at JASSO (November 08, 2008) The JASSO Study Abroad Fair 2008 took place on November 8, with Embassies from 22 countries and education-related organizations participating in the event. About 400 visitors attended the fair. Switzerland was represented by the Science & Technology Office of the Swiss Embassy in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Swiss Learning Center and the Embassy’s Culture Section. The Swiss Education Information Booth was busy throughout the day answering inquiries from numerous visitors, 10 of whom filled in a questionnaire to receive further information. A presentation given by the S&T Office on the Swiss education landscape drew in many students, many of whom subsequently visited the booth. The Swiss Cultural Corner was also a success, attracting about 60 interested students.

Swiss Device Used In Genomic Studies (November 17, 2008) Researchers at Tohoku University, Tokyo University, Riken institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) are making strides in better understanding and diagnosing diseases through the use of a device that can quickly analyze human genomes. The devices, called "giga-sequencer", currently in use are manufactured by F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd. of Switzerland. One focus of research is clarifying the complex network in which proteins made from the genes interact with one another. This can be used to shed light on cancer-causing mechanisms, how various tissues are made from iPS cells and techniques that im- prove the safety of iPS cell applications.

Swiss-Japan Machinery Joint Venture (November 21, 2008) Bühler Druckguss AG has officially set up an equal partnership joint venture with Japan Steel Works (JSW), for cold-chamber die casting machines. The new venture, “JSW & Buhler Machinery Ltd.”, headquartered in Tokyo, will offer cold-chamber die casting machines with closing forces ranging from 550t to 4500t. The machines will be pro- duced by Bühler Druckguss and assembled at JSW. The joint venture is also supplying peripheral equipments including trimming press and robots, engineering and the die itself. The new company has set up a new technical center for tests and training in Hiroshima, Japan, which will serve as its R&D base in the future.

October 2008

Science & Technology In Society (STS) forum (October 05-07, 2008) The 5th Annual Meeting of the STS forum was held in Kyoto from October 5-7, 2008 under the overall theme of “Science and Technology in Society: Lights and Shadows”. A total of over 750 leading scientists, including 5 Nobel Laureates, policymakers including 29 ministers, business executives and media leaders from 91 countries, regions and international organizations attended the program. The 16-headed Swiss delegation included Dr. Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, State Secretary for Education and Research, Dr. Fritz Schiesser, President ETH Board, Prof. Ralph Eichler, President ETH Zurich, Prof. Louis Schlapbach, CEO EMPA, S&T Ministers’ Roundtable Prof. Alexander Zehnder, former President ETH Board, and Prof. Konrad Osterwalder, President UNU.

Peter Zumthor Honored With Praemium Imperiale Prize (October 15, 2008) Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor was awarded the Praemium Imperiale prize 2008, an international art prize awarded annually by the Japan Art Association in five fields: painting, sculp- ture, architecture, music and theater/film. The association said Zumthor earnestly examines the location and purpose of a building and spares no effort in selecting the most suitable materials for it, insisting on "custom-made architecture”. The association also describes Zumthor’s works as consistently giving a strong sense of spirituality. The Praemium Imperiale was established in 1988 in memory of His Imperial Highness Prince Takamatsu.

Swiss Biotech Pavilion At BioJapan 2008 (October 15-17, 2008) BioJapan 2008, the 10th edition of the longest-established international bioindustry event in Asia, was held in Yokohama from October 15-17. Switzerland was represented by the Swiss Biotech Pavilion, which hosted 16 co-exhibitors, such as Actelion, Bachem, Bioengineering, Biolytix, C-CIT, Dualsystems Biotech, Lonza Japan, BaselArea, BioAlps, Biopolo, Greater Zurich Area, SWX Swiss Exchange, Swiss Biotech Association, CTI, Location Switzerland and the Swiss Science & Technology Office of the Embassy of Switzerland. Total

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009 attendance at BioJapan 2008 was over 23’000 persons. It was a successful event for the Swiss participants with nearly 200 quality contacts.

11th Swiss-Japanese Meeting on Biotechnology und Bioprocess Development (October 26-29, 2008) The 11th Swiss-Japanese Meeting on Biotechnology and Bioprocess Development has been held from October 26-29, 2008 in Minusio. The joint meeting had a good mixture of industry and university participants and offered excellent opportunities for high quality, academic information exchange. 39 speakers, 23 of them representing institutions from Switzerland, presented their research works. Major companies such as Roche, Novartis, Nestle, Lonza, Ajinomoto, Kaneka, Kyowa Hakko, universities such as ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Basel, Bern, Zurich, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Toyama, and research institutes such as EMPA and EAWAG were among the prominent participants. Since the first meeting held in 1988 in Interlaken, this meeting is a tradition clearly underlining a long-lasting, strong collaboration between Switzerland and Japan.

“Minimal Landscapes” Exhibitions, Lectures in Tokyo (October, 2008) The “Minimal Landscapes” exhibitions and lectures took place in Tokyo, Japan between September and October 2008. The works of Ariel Ruiz i Altaba, artist and scientist, were shown at the United Nations University gallery, Marunouchi Café gallery as well as the Em- bassy of Switzerland and Swiss Residence in Tokyo. A reception was hosted by the Ambas- sador of Switzerland to Japan, Paul Fivat, on this occasion. Professor Ruiz i Altaba, who is a specialist in molecular biology at the University of Geneva Medical School, also gave a science lecture at the Keio University and an art lecture at Instituto Cervantes Tokio.

Students From TITech Visit EPFL (October 06, 2008) A group of 10 master students and their professor from Tokyo Institute of Technology visited the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. The groups visited EPFL’s Materials Institute and the Composite Technology, Nanomaterials, Powder Technology and Polymer Laboratories, and participated in several courses. Then, the group toured the Swiss Light Source (SLS) and the Neutron Source (SINQ) at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). Both universities would like to increase student exchange between Switzerland and Japan at all academic levels.

September 2008

Swiss-Japanese Free Trade Agreement Concluded (September 29, 2008) Japan has struck a deal with Switzerland to conclude a bilateral free trade agreement after more than one year of negotiations, government officials announced. Japan has found common ground on most issues regarding how to liberalize trade with Switzerland. Tariffs on about 99 percent of the total value of bilateral trade will be eliminated in 10 years. The agreement will come into effect as early as next year. Switzerland would be the first European country to conclude a free trade accord with Japan, which has so far signed so-called economic partnership agreements with nine economies incl. Singapore, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand and Chile. www.evd.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en

Swiss Firm Plans 3 R&D Centers In Japan (September 14, 2008) Nestle SA, the world's largest foodmaker, will establish research and development centers in Japan for the first time. The Swiss-based company will launch R&D facilities for three fields -- nutrition research, beverages development and packaging technology. Nestle decided to establish the centers in Japan after concluding that the level of product development and quality management here is among the highest in the world. The firm plans to establish a center tentatively called the Nestle Japan Research Center at the University of Tokyo. A center for developing beverages will be established at Nestle's coffee-related product factory in Shimada. Finally, a center dedicated to packaging techniques will be located at Nestle Japan's headquarters in Kobe.

Swiss Architect Awarded Praemium Imperiale (September 16, 2008) Peter Zumthor, renowned Swiss architect, was awarded the Praemium Imperiale prize for architecture. The Prae- mium Imperiale is the world's largest and most prestigious prize in architecture, the equivalent to the Nobel Prize in Science. The artists are recognized and awarded for their achievements, for the impact they have had internationally on the Arts and for their role in enriching the global community. The recipient receives around $140,000, and a

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009 medal presented by Prince Hitachi in an awards ceremony in Tokyo. The awards ceremony will be held in Tokyo on October 15th, 2008.

Japan-Switzerland Joint Workshop on Medical Research (September 18, 2008) JST and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (ETHZ) held a joint workshop on "Medical Research" for the first time. The institutions participate in the framework called Strategic International Cooperative Program, a bilateral science and technology cooperation by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER). This year, both parties are calling for proposals of joint cooperative research projects on "Medical Research from 1st September to 1st December. As a part of this cooperation, a Japan-Switzerland joint workshop was held on September 15-16 in Zurich. Topics included "Translational Research", "Bioinformatics", "Proteomics and Development of Biomarker", "Pharmacogenomics" and "Whole Genome Asso- ciation Study (WGAS)". Call for joint proposals: www.japan.ethz.ch

Japanese Contribution To CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (September 09, 2008) The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has cost some 400 billion yen to build. Countries that are not CERN members, such as Japan and the United States, have also provided funding for the project. Japan has contributed about 14 billion yen and shoulders part of the cost of making detectors that collect data generated by the LHC. One hundred or so Japanese scientists are engaged in research using the LHC.

Swiss Learning Inauguration (September 25, 2008) The Swiss Learning office was officially launched at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tokyo. Swiss Learning SA represents a group of prestigious Swiss boarding schools promoting education in Switzerland worldwide. The Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Paul Fivat, the Director of Swiss Learning and the Head of Swiss Business Hub Japan inaugurated the office together with partner companies such as UBS, Audemars Piguet, Swiss International Airlines and Swiss Tourism as well as more than 150 selected guests. The Swiss Learning Office at the Embassy of Switzerland is the first of its kind worldwide. Its mission is to inform and support Japanese parents and prospective students searching for schooling abroad following the highest academic standards while providing a safe and healthy environment for students and visiting families alike.

Swiss Institute of Technology Students From Lausanne Visit Japan (September 03, 2008) Students from the civil engineering department of the Swiss Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), accompanied by Professor André-Gilles Dumont, visited Japan for two weeks during the study trip which is part of their curriculum. The students visited research centres at the University of Tokyo, which collaborates with the Swiss Institute of Technology, the Metropolitain Expressway, the underground flood reservoir of the city of Tokyo, and the rainbow bridge. After a welcome reception at the Deputy Head of Mission’s residence, the students travelled to Kyoto and Nara to balance Japanese technology with culture.

August 2008

Swiss Architecture Students Visit Japan (August 16-31, 2008) Students from the Bern University of Applied Sciences for Architecture, Wood and Construc- tion (BFH-AHB) visited Japan for two full weeks in August for their summer school program entitled “Tokyo Dreams.” The group, led by professor Marco Bakker, experienced Japan’s history in Kyoto and Hiroshima, nature in Yakushima, provincial city living in Fukuoka and country life in Naoshima. The party also made trips in the Tokyo area to architectural facilities and other interesting venues, such as a manufacturer of tatamis, a straw matting used as floor covering. In collaboration with the University of Tokyo, lectures were held by professionals in the field of architecture, graphic design and city planning, which led to enthusiastic discussions with the students.

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

June 2008

Swiss Exhibitions At Osaka Science Museum (June 01, 2008) The Osaka Science Museum is holding two exhibitions and a film related to Switzerland from June 1 through November 30, 2008. The exhibitions, supported by the Science & Technology Office, explain the historical achievements of Einstein and Euler and their relation with Japan, as concurrent events to “The Alps,” a film showing the magnificence of the Nordwand of Eiger. The film, sponsored by the Switzerland Tourism office and others, is shown at the museum’s OMNIMAX theater, which uses the domed screen with a diameter of 26.5 meters of a planetarium, and offers the largest film frame in the motion picture industry; six times the size of a conventional 35 mm movie film.

Swiss Universities’ Booth At Keio Study Abroad Fair (June 11, 2008) The Swiss educational landscape was presented at the 2008 Study Abroad Fair held at Keio University, the oldest and one of the top ranked universities in Japan, by the Swiss Embassy Tokyo Science & Technology Office. Participants included 11 diplo- matic missions and affiliated organizations. The Swiss booth accommodated some 100 students, three times last year’s number, within the 5 hour event. Various materials highlighting the benefits of studying in Switzerland were presented. The S&T Office prepared a questionnaire on students’ specific inquiries and needs, which was filled out by 33 students and is now forwarded to concerned Swiss universities.

Swiss Antibody Drug In Japan (June 10, 2008) Swiss-based Novartis AG and other foreign drugmakers are set to start selling major antibody products in Japan in the absence of strong rival drugs from domestic labs. Novartis' Xolair will be the first antibody asthma drug to be introduced in Japan, with sales slated to start by year's end. According to the Ministry of Health, there were 1.09 million asthma patients nationwide in 2005, up 2 percent from 2002. Swiss-based Merck Serono International SA will soon roll out Erbitux, a colon cancer drug. It is the first time the firm will sell antibody drugs in Japan. Domestic drugmakers lag far behind their foreign rivals in antibody products because they have focused on developing low- molecular-compound drugs.

May 2008

Swiss-Japan Educational Exchange (March 12, 2008) The University of Basel and Dokkyo University, Japan have signed a letter of agreement to initiate and promote academic and cultural exchanges between the two institutions. Under the agreement, the two universities will invite professors to give lectures and participate in research and development activities at each others’ facilities, offer various levels of exchange programs to students, jointly host seminars, research projects, colloqui- ums, symposiums, and exchange publications as well as research results in specialized fields. The University of Basel will receive the first student from Dokkyo this autumn semester.

Japan Supports Swiss Fund Aiding Developing Countries (May 18, 2008) Japan will offer more than 500 million dollars to a Geneva-based private foundation that is promoting measures to fight infectious diseases in developing countries, according to sources. The funding will be paid to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) until 2010. These diseases kill more than 5 million people worldwide every year, and 80 percent of those killed by AIDS and malaria live in sub-Saharan Africa. The fund has been playing a central role in the global fight against these diseases, spending 5.4 billion dollars on programs in about 130 countries since its establishment. Japan had given 850 million dollars to the organization as of February, making Japan the fourth-biggest donor behind the United States, France and Italy. Japan likely will become the third-biggest donor when the latest contribution is made.

Swiss Drugmaker To Raise Stake in Japanese Firm (May 23, 2008) Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. announced that the company's board of directors has approved F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.'s bid to raise its stake in the firm to 59.9 percent from 50.1 percent. The Swiss drug maker launched a one- month tender offer the same day, offering Chugai stockholders 1,730 yen per share. The offer price is 35.4 percent

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009 higher than Chugai's average stock price over the past three months. Roche will purchase up to 54.93 million shares, which would cost about 95 billion yen. It intends to keep Chugai listed after increasing its ownership interest in the company. The Swiss pharmaceutical giant forged a business and capital alliance with Chugai in Decem- ber 2001, to strengthen its research capabilities, and turned the Japanese firm into a subsidiary.

April 2008

Swiss-Japan Educational Collaboration (April 09, 2008) The university of Geneva and Keio University signed an agreement to encourage exchanges between students, researchers, professors and other members of their respective teaching staff, in all academic fields represented in both institutions. The two universities will also work on establishing other forms of scholarly collaboration, including organization of colloquia, seminars, conferences and cooperative research projects, e.g. exchange of academic materials. The exchange programs will have a duration of at least one month to one full academic year. The agreement specifies each university will be sending two of its full-time undergraduate or graduate students to the other university each year.

Swiss-Japan Cooperation In Multinational Physics Projects (April 07, 2008) As many as 2,600 computers at the International Center for Elementary Particle Physics (ICEPP), on the campus of the University of Tokyo, were operating at full capacity on March 10, processing huge amounts of observatory data on cosmic rays transmitted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) near Geneva, Switzerland. It was a prelude to the Atlas particle experiment slated to begin this summer at the world’s largest accelerator, the Large Hardon Collider. In another project, the MEG experiment, ICEPP will use the only advanced accelerator in the world equipped with a device that produces a large quantity of the world's most intense beam of muon particles. The experiment, aimed at detecting an elementary particle whose origin is assumed to have coincided with the birth of the universe, is scheduled to start this summer in Zurich.

Swiss-Japan Pharmaceutical Tie-Up (April 21, 2008) Actelion Ltd and Nippon Shinyaku announced that the two companies have signed a license agreement on a novel orally available PGI2 receptor agonist NS-304 originally discovered and synthesized by Nippon Shinyaku for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This agreement enables Nippon Shinyaku to explore the pos- sibility of co-development in Japan of a compound which is being developed by Actelion globally. Actelion will take over the phase IIa clinical study being conducted by Nippon Shinyaku in Europe and be responsible for global development and commercialization of NS-304 outside Japan. The two companies will co-develop and co- commercialize NS-304 in Japan.

March 2008

Swiss-Japan Research Cooperation (March 07, 2008) The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) to initiate a new program for joint funding of Swiss-Japanese cooperative research. Japan is one of the eight priority countries of the Swiss bilateral cooperation research strategy set until 2011 by the Federal Council. Switzerland and Japan have signed a Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in Tokyo in July 2007: the partnership of ETH Zurich and JST is the first practical implementation. The funding on Swiss side is made available by the Secretariat of State for Education and Research. JST is commissioned by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to coordinate funds for promoting Science and Technology, including sponsoring international activities in this domain. The program is open to all Swiss researchers and will support joint research collaborations, personnel exchanges, joint seminars and symposia.

Swiss-Japan Educational Exchange (February 25, 2008) The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) and Chiba University, Japan have signed a Memo- randum of Understanding with the objective of facilitating mutual friendship, academic research and educational cooperation between the two institutions. Under the agreement, the universities will cooperate in promoting both

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009 academic research and enhancing educational opportunities for students. The collaboration will include exchange of faculty members and researchers as well as undergraduate and graduate students, organization of joint research projects/conferences/meetings and the exchange of information and publications. The two institutions also signed an agreement for a student exchange program as the first project under the new relationship.

Swiss Universities At International Education Expo (March 26-28, 2008) The Swiss excellence in higher education was presented at the third annual conference and exhibition of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE), hosted by Waseda University. The APAIE 2008, held between 26-28 of March, featured 260 participants from 42 countries / region. University presidents, educators, policy makers and professionals gathered to discuss the issues and the future of internationalization in the field of education. Of the Swiss institutions of higher learning represented at the Swiss Universities’ booth, nine delegates from ETH Zurich and the Universities of Bern, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, St. Gallen and Zurich attended to successfully elaborate on already existing and potential collaborations with institutions not only in Japan, but from elsewhere in the globe.

Nanotube Inventor To Give Speech At Swiss University (March 18, 2008) Professor Sumio Iijima of Meijo University, who has been named as a candidate for the noble prize for his contribution in the discovery of carbon nanotubes, will be an invited speaker at the 2nd Industry Day of ETH Zurich’s Micro and Nano Science Platform on May 8. The theme of the presentation by Mr. Iijima, who is also a senior research fellow at NEC Corp., will be carbon nanotubes and functional materials in nanoelectronics and nanosystems. The Industry Day is a forum for senior managers and scientists from industry and academia with more than 30 ETH Zu- rich research groups presenting their projects and scientific results.

Swiss DNA Chips For R&D (March 28, 2008) Roche Diagnostics KK, will begin marketing DNA chips for research purposes. The company has decided to em- phasize products designed to advance the R&D efforts of corporations and research institutes. As part of this strategy, it will offer to manufacture sequence capture arrays that can be used to probe the relationship between disorders and variations in gene sequences. The DNA chips will be made from glass slides arrayed with 385,000 DNA fragments. Roche Diagnostics will manufacture the DNA chips to order, with around a month's lead time, and will also provide a service to amplify the DNA that attaches to the array when a sample is added to the chip.

February 2008

Swiss Pavilion At World's Largest Fuel Cell Expo (February 27-29, 2008) The excellence of Swiss fuel cell & hydrogen technology was well represented at FC Expo 2008, the world's largest exhibition in this field. The three-day exhibition, held for the fourth time from 27-29 February 2008, attracted 24’617 visitors and offered a great opportunity for the participating Swiss companies and research institutions to show their latest technology -- from hydrogen production and new fuel cell designs to integrated systems for the energy supply of single homes -- to interested parties and media, including Swiss TV and Financial Times. The Swiss Pavilion was brought into being by the Science & Technology Office of the Swiss Embassy in Tokyo and has been kindly supported by Presence Switzerland, Swiss Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology OPET, Innovation Promotion Agency CTI, Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE and OSEC. The fifth FC Expo will take place from 25-27 February 2009.

Swiss Pavilion At World's Largest Nanotech Expo (February 13-15, 2008) The Swiss Pavilion at nanotech 2008 has been organized by inno-X and supported by the Swiss Science & Technology Office. The largest nanotechnology event in the world, which was held from 13-15 February 2008 in Tokyo for the seventh time, saw the participation of 522 companies and organizations, and attracted 49’365 visitors. The exhibitors of the Swiss Pavilion presented their most recent achievements in nano-materials development, nanocomposites, scanning probe microscopes, 3D digital holographic microscopy, micromachining techniques, and photoresist for microsystems and microparts. The Swiss excellence in micro & nanotechnology applications and marketing was underlined with the presentation of the Swiss MNT Network.

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Switzerland-Japan Digest November 2009

Swiss-Japan Machine Tool Maker Alliance (February 15, 2008) Tornos and Tsugami, two machine tool makers similar in size that can complement each other in terms of product range and geographical markets in which each of them holds a leadership position, will sign a framework partnership agreement. Contracts will be signed in areas such as research and development, procurement, production and distribution. The first contract will involve Tsugami producing entry-level single-spindle machines for which Tornos has supplied the specification and which it will then distribute through its own sales network. Under the second contract, Tsugami will distribute multispindle machines in Japan and Asia.

Swiss-Japan Biopharmaceutical Tie-up (February 29, 2008) Swiss biopharmaceutical company Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has signed a binding letter of intent with Japan's Nippon Shinyaku Co. to collaborate on a novel pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH, compound. This binding letter of intent foresees that Actelion will be responsible for global development and commercialization of NS-304 outside Japan, whereas the two companies will co-develop and co-commercialize in Japan. NS-304, originally discovered and synthesized by Nippon Shinyaku, is an orally available long acting prostaglandin I2, PGI-2, receptor agonist, which stimulates PGI-2 receptors in blood vessels and exerts vasodilating effects.

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