Science Tokyo Strengthens Collaborative Ties in Boston

On March 17–18, 2025, a delegation from Science Tokyo visited Boston to deepen existing partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration. The delegation included President and CAO Dr. Tanaka, Professor Iida, vice president for industry-academia-government collaboration, Dr. Keisuke Okamoto, assistant professor at the Health Science Research & Development Center, Aya Suzuki, group leader of the Planning Division at the International Office, and Laura Lindemer, university research administrator at the Office for Global Affairs.

The visit began with a meeting at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where the delegation met with Dr. Ron Kikinis and Professor Nobuhiro Hata of the Surgical Planning Laboratory. The group toured key facilities, including the Amigo Operating Room, and discussed the new collaboration agreement. This agreement aims to develop the necessary environment for fostering human resources and promoting interdisciplinary co-creation at the intersection of medicine and engineering.

Later, together with Seiichiro Takahashi, consul general of Japan in Boston, the delegation met with Christopher Coburn, chief innovation officer at Mass General Brigham. The meeting focused on prospects for new collaborative research between BWH and Science Tokyo, the incubator system at Mass General, and the importance of fostering talent across disciplinary boundaries. Similarities were noted between the innovation ecosystems in Boston and Tokyo, particularly in supporting medical-engineering startups.

In the afternoon, the delegation was invited to a reception at the consul’s residence, where they exchanged insights concerning the current state of science, education, and innovation in Japan and the U.S. with members of the consulate and local leaders from academia and industry.

The second day began with a visit to SakuLab, a new life science hub in Boston with another lab in Tsukuba, Japan. The group learned about SakuLab's efforts to support local startups through strategic partnerships with Astellas Pharma Inc., a Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company. They also gained insight into Boston’s startup culture, including practices such as shared community spaces with free food - a common feature in American startup environments.

In the afternoon, the delegation was welcomed by Mirei Rioux, director of member relations at MIT Media Lab. The visit provided an immersive look into the lab’s pioneering interdisciplinary approach to research and innovation. The open-layout design of the facility allowed the group to observe dynamic collaboration among various research teams.

Later, Dr. Tanaka met with Dr. Joel Katz, vice chair for education at Harvard Medical School and a Global Fellow at Science Tokyo, and with Dr. Eric Alexander, associate dean for medical education. The meetings served as a valuable opportunity to reflect on the enduring relationship between the medical schools of Science Tokyo and Harvard.

The visit concluded with a vibrant alumni gathering that brought together former students of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Tech now residing in the Boston area. Attendees shared personal stories, reconnected with old friends, and discussed the exciting future of Science Tokyo. There was notable enthusiasm for the Institute’s potential in promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration between engineering and medicine.

The Boston visit proved to be a valuable experience - offering insights into startup ecosystems, educational innovation, and research collaboration. It not only reaffirmed long-standing partnerships but also paved the way for new initiatives aligned with Science Tokyo’s expanding global strategy.

• Surgical Planning Laboratory
• Amigo Operating Room
• MIT Media Lab