Minister Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart – Picture by Land NRW, R. Sondermann.
15 to 20 October 2018, Japan: Minister of Economy and Digitalisation of North Rhine Westphalia, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart led a business and scientific delegation with 25 members to Tokyo, Fukushima, Kyoto and Osaka. Focus for the visits were the topics of cooperation in the research of alternative fuels, saving of energy as well as the health sector.
In the Prefecture Osaka, Minister Prof. Dr. Pinkwart came together with the Vice-Governor Jun Arai. Both dignitaries agreed to pursue joint research on water-based fuels and batteries. A MoU was signed between the Prefecture Osaka and the Ministry of Economy and Digilalisation of NRW to bring together enterprises and promote investments between NRW and Osaka.
For NRW the conurbation Osaka is of particular relevance for being the second strongest economic region in Japan. In the research of battery, hydrogen and fuel cells it is leading in Asia alongside Tokyo.
On the road trip in Japan, the NRW delegation travelled as well to the Prefecture Fukushima with a focus on health issues. Minister Pinkwart partook at the opening of the fair Medical Creation Fukushima, and subsequently paid a visit the Southern Tohoku General Hospital that collaborates with the University Clinic Essen in radiotherapies. In Fukushima he held a bilateral meeting with Vice-Governor Hata.
Radiotherapy in fighting tumours is of top quality at the Southern Tōhoku General Hospital, partner of the University Clinic Essen. Research for this end is co-financed by NRW.
For further information:
- https://www.land.nrw/de/
pressemitteilung/minister- pinkwart-die-praefektur-osaka- ist-ein-interessanter-partner- um-auf-dem-weg - https://www.land.nrw/de/
pressemitteilung/ wirtschaftsdelegation- nordrhein-westfalen-besucht- die-praefektur-fukushima - Embassy of Japan to Germany (HE Ambassador Takeshi Yagi): https://www.de.emb-
japan.go.jp
