On June 17–18, 2026, JST held a kickoff meeting for projects selected in FY2025, and a results presentation briefing for projects selected in FY2023 and FY2024, in the field of AI, Information and Intelligent Robotics under the Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) program. This event was held at the JST Tokyo Headquarters Annex. A total of approximately 70 participants attended during the two-day event, including 22 principal investigators and other project members. Participants actively exchanged ideas and views on research plans, project achievements, and progress in global collaboration.

ASPIRE has annually held kickoff meetings and result presentation briefings, bringing together people involved with selected projects, since ASPIRE’s launch in FY2023. As a new approach this year, early-career researchers who traveled abroad through the program gave poster presentations. In addition to their research activities, they shared their experiences of international exchange, demonstrating the steady progress of ASPIRE’s researcher development initiatives.

Project information: https://www.jst.go.jp/aspire/en/program_e/assignment_e/index.html

Kickoff Meeting for FY2025 Selected Projects and Results Briefing for FY2023 and FY2024 Selected Projects

In the kickoff meeting for the FY2025 selected projects, ambitious plans for both research and international collaboration were presented, highlighting the great potential of the projects. Advisors and researchers from other projects engaged in the discussions, asking many questions and making comments that led to lively exchanges of ideas.

The result presentation for projects selected in FY2023 and FY2024 confirmed the steady advancement of ASPIRE’s international researcher development initiatives through overseas dispatch and acceptance primarily of young researchers (doctoral and master’s level). All of the advisors provided feedback on every presentation, and there were lively Q & A sessions. Thanks to these exchanges, key challenges for each project were clarified, leading to deeper understanding and information sharing.

Poster Presentations by Early-Career Researchers

As a new trial approach for this research area, early-career researchers who traveled abroad through the program gave poster presentations. This session provided valuable opportunities for young scientists to engage in direct, in-depth discussions with senior members of the program, including Program Director Dr. Kenjiro Miyano, Program Officer Dr. Yasushi Yagi, advisors, and principal investigators of each project. As a result, there was sharing of the specific details of international collaboration and exchange activities undertaken by the early-career researchers.

Dr. Miyano and Dr. Yagi delivered remarks at the end of the meeting. Dr. Yagi commented that the program had achieved excellent results in its activities thus far. He also emphasized the importance of continually providing opportunities for international collaborative research through ASPIRE and building on those outcomes to develop future research projects. Dr. Miyano noted that, while many projects conclude when their funding ends, a significant achievement of ASPIRE would be to foster future research activities and new collaborations through the networks and connections established among researchers via ASPIRE.

The ASPIRE program in the field of AI, Information and Intelligent Robotics will continue to promote interpersonal exchanges and networking between leading and next-generation researchers, building on the knowledge and expertise gained from this kickoff meeting and results presentation.

(Report by Tada, Office of ASPIRE, Department of International Affairs)

Photos from June 17

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  Poster presentation

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  Group photo for FY2025 selected projects (top)
  Group photo for FY2023 and 2024 selected projects (bottom)

Photos from June 18

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  Poster presentations

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  Group photo of all participants