On June 17, 2026, H.E. Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen, Ambassador of France to Japan, visited Tohoku University and met with President Teiji Tominaga and other university officials. The ambassador was accompanied by Laetitia Bilgorai, Political Counsellor, and Professor Xavier Bressaud, Counsellor for Science and Technology. Representing Tohoku University alongside President Tominaga were Executive Vice Presidents Asako Sugimoto, Toshiya Ueki, and Masahiro Yamaguchi, as well as Associate Executive Vice President Kazuko Suematsu.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on strengthening academic and research cooperation between Japan and France, as well as promoting personnel exchanges and creating opportunities for the next generation.
President Tominaga welcomed the delegation and highlighted France's status as an essential partner for the university in both research and education. He noted active student exchanges and that France ranks among the leading countries sending international students to Tohoku University. Ambassador Le Fraper du Hellen responded with gratitude for the strong, long-standing partnership and hopes that more Tohoku University students choose to study in France. The ambassador was introduced to specific educational support initiatives, such as French language programs at the university and short-term study-abroad programs planned for the summer.
The ambassador pointed out that although Japan and France have achieved a high level of scientific cooperation, public attention in Japan tends to focus more on cultural and artistic aspects. Both sides agreed to raise public awareness of Japan-France scientific cooperation and held a productive discussion on ways to strengthen collaboration with France and other European countries through frameworks such as Horizon Europe.
The visiting delegation toured the next-generation synchrotron radiation facility NanoTerasu the day before the meeting. After the meeting, they visited the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization. The ambassador and her delegation showed considerable interest in the university's cutting-edge research and expressed a strong desire to see further collaboration between Tohoku University and French universities, research institutions, and businesses.
The visit provided an important opportunity to further strengthen the cooperative relationship between Tohoku University and France in both research and education.
Contact:
Global Strategy Office
Tel: +22-217-6311
Email: kokusai-c
grp.tohoku.ac.jp
