Reception Commemorating the 13th Meeting of the Canada-Japan Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation and the 30th Anniversary of the signing of the Canada-Japan Science and Technology Agreement

On June 20, 2016, Ambassador Monji and Mrs. Monji hosted a reception at their residence to commemorate the 13th meeting of the Canada-Japan Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation, as well as the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Canada-Japan Science and Technology Agreement in 1986. Almost 50 government officials and representatives of research organizations from both countries attended the reception after the joint committee’s meeting, which was held earlier in the day at Global Affairs Canada.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Monji expressed his hopes and expectations for progress in bilateral cooperation in the 5 priority areas that had been agreed upon during the meeting of the joint committee: nanotechnology, health science, sustainable energy technologies, arctic research cooperation, and research mobility. The Ambassador also extended congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral science and technology agreement.

Global Affairs Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister of International Trade, Ms. Susan Bincoletto, who served as the Canadian co-chair during the joint committee meeting, thanked the ambassador for the reception, talked about the outcomes of the meeting as well as expectations for future progress, and congratulated the two countries on their 30-year collaboration.

Subsequently, the Japanese co-chair at the meeting, Japan’s Ambassador for Science and Technology Cooperation, Mr. Takeshi Nakane, gave a toast after which the participants enjoyed Japanese cuisine and sake, and engaged in lively conversations on various topics including future bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Monji gives opening remarks

Greeting from Assistant Deputy Minister Bincolleto

Ambassador Nakane during a toast

Participants interact with each other while sampling Japanese food