The Minister of Higher Education and Research of the French Republic visiting JAMSTEC

On May 11, 2023, Minister of Higher Education and Research of the French Republic, Sylvie Retailleau, and her delegation, visited the Yokosuka Headquarters of Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).

Minister Retailleau attended a briefing at our organization, about our activities including the Arctic Research Vessel currently under construction and relevant research, a project of French-Japanese subsea observatory in the South Pacific and its surrounding ocean, research conducted by French young research fellow, 4,000m class autonomous underwater vehicle and its performance in "Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE", etc. Minister placed a high expectation on enhancement of collaboration between France and Japan in the fields of marine-Earth science and technology.

The visit this time by Minister Retailleau was made as another opportunity on the occasion of her participation in 2023 G7 Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Sendai.

JAMSTEC concluded a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in marine science and technology with the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer) in 1998, and are currently promoting among others the above-mentioned project of French-Japanese subsea observatory in the South Pacific and its surrounding ocean. Both research institutions jointly installed observation equipment for acquiring important data that will contribute to marine ecosystem research. We look forward to the recovery of the equipment, data analysis, and research progress after one year.

Group photo in front of JAMSTEC main building

Minister Retailleau giving her greetings

Minister Retailleau receiving a briefing on a project of French-Japanese subsea observatory in the South Pacific and its surrounding ocean