Federal President of Germany Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits Science Tokyo during official Japan trip
On June 19, 2025, Institute of Science Tokyo had the honor of welcoming H.E. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, to Ookayama Campus as part of an official visit to Japan, his first since 2022. Science Tokyo was the only university he visited during his tightly scheduled trip, underlining the new institution’s growing reputation abroad and its strong ties to Germany.
President Steinmeier’s delegation included Dorothee Bär, Germany’s Minister for Research, Technology and Space, as well as a distinguished group of representatives from leading research institutions, cultural organizations, and companies. Among these representatives was Rector Ulrich Rüdiger of RWTH Aachen University, with which Science Tokyo recently signed a strategic partnership agreement to expand cooperation in research and academic exchange.
President and Chief Executive Officer Naoto Ohtake and President and Chief Academic Officer Yujiro Tanaka welcomed the German delegation to Ookayama Campus. During a guided tour, they introduced President Steinmeier to Science Tokyo’s educational philosophy and cutting-edge research, emphasizing the university’s collaboration with RWTH Aachen.
The visit also included a series of research presentations highlighting Science Tokyo’s contributions to global innovation. Vice President for Research Strategy and Planning Prof. Kei Sakaguchi presented his pioneering work on the Smart Mobility Digital Twin for Hybrid Autonomous and Remote Driving. President Steinmeier showed keen interest, asking several in-depth questions and engaging directly with the researchers.
Following this, President Steinmeier met with Nobel Laureate Prof. Yoshinori Ohsumi. The two discussed the enduring impact of Prof. Ohsumi’s groundbreaking discoveries in autophagy, which continue to influence global life sciences research.
The final stop on the tour highlighted Science Tokyo’s latest advances in robotics. Prof. Gen Endo and his colleagues introduced their state-of-the-art research, offering President Steinmeier a hands-on demonstration. The president enthusiastically took control of Prof. Endo’s roller-skate robot, and drove it in the room. The moment drew smiles from both the German delegation and the Science Tokyo hosts, capturing the day’s spirit of innovation and international exchange.
During a break on the campus’s iconic wood deck, President Steinmeier engaged in friendly conversation with a group of German students currently studying at Science Tokyo. The students shared their experiences studying abroad, and many took the opportunity to snap selfies with the president, adding a personal and memorable moment to the day.
Science Tokyo is honored to have hosted President Steinmeier and his delegation and looks forward to deepening its academic and cultural ties with Germany in the years to come.
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