On June 1st, 2020, Tohoku University and JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) set up a JETRO Innovation Desk (JID) at Tohoku University’s Center for Co-Creation Strategy. This is the first time that a JID has been set up at a Japanese university. Tohoku University and JETRO signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement in 2017, and the purpose of this initiative is to boost our strategic relationship and to further promote new, diverse, and innovative co-creation activities to help solve global challenges.
In close cooperation with Tohoku University, JETRO, local governments, and businesses, the JID will serve as a one-stop shop supporting the internationalization of cutting-edge research, technologies, and startups at Tohoku University, and will provide various matching opportunities using the JID’s worldwide network. In addition, the JID will help international collaboration between researchers and businesses, with a view to creating new businesses and services in the post-Covid19 era, which could in turn lead to direct overseas investment in Miyagi.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expects that Tohoku University’s world-class knowledge and innovative technology will attract overseas companies and also investment in research in Miyagi, helping to contribute to the local economy following the Great East Japan Earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic.
Main activities of the JID
- Promotion of international research and business collaboration
- Supporting the internationalization of Tohoku University startups
- Attracting direct investment from overseas
- Supporting interaction between overseas businesses and Tohoku University (exchange) students