European researchers in Japan get connected

The European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik, has officially launched the network of European Researchers in Japan. Consulted through an on-line survey, the European researchers working in Japan have pronounced themselves very much in favor of this network (74% of the respondents) and expressed their specific needs: to develop their contacts and get access to information on career development, research funding and Europe-Japan cooperation opportunities. The tool set up for them by the European Commission will answer these needs with interactive tools of information and networking.

"European researchers working in Japan represent a patrimony of knowledge and experience. They are the Ambassadors of European research in Japan and this network will be an important tool for reinforcing research collaboration between Europe and Japan," stated Commissioner Potocnik.

Japan and the EU together accounts for about 40% of the world's Gross Domestic Product and are amongst each other's main trade and investment partners. Both partners are convinced that research and innovation are at the heart of a successful strategy to address the challenges of industrial competitiveness and sustainable development. As part of this strategy, researchers represent a golden resource that should benefit from specific facilities to network and identify professional opportunities, according to a European Commission statement.