Approaches from Japan and Germany

The German Research Foundation, the Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) held a symposium on 15 July to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Japanese-German Treaty of Amity of 1861.

The symposium focused on the innovative research carried out by scientists at different career stages and the efficient promotion of cooperation. Topics discussed included practical approaches to supporting the next generation of outstanding researchers and characteristics of German and Japanese funding systems, as well as challenges and opportunities in German and Japanese science and society.

The emphasis was on high-risk and high-impact research. Ways in which its effects on society can be better communicated to a broader public were discussed. The speakers and organisers agreed that this event had provided valuable insights and yielded beneficial results. The participants, who numbered over 200, provided equally positive feedback.

Professor Dr. Koichiro Agata (Member of the Foundation Council of the JDZB and Professor at the Waseda Okuma School of Public Management), Professor Dr.-Ing. Matthias Kleiner (President of the DFG) and Professor Koichi Kitazawa, D.Sc. (President of the JST) officially opened the symposium at the auditorium of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo. After the opening remarks, Professor Dr. Tasuku Honjo (Executive Member of the Council for Science and Technology Policy, CSTP), Itaru Watanabe (Senior Deputy Director-General of the Science & Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, MEXT), as well as Minister Peter Rondorf (Head of Economic and Scientific Department of the German Embassy in Tokyo), gave the welcome addresses.

Two keynote speeches followed:

Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Jörg Hacker (President of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina) spoke about cooperation in science as an important factor in the relationship between two countries. Professor Hacker referred to the long (over 150-year) history of German-Japanese cooperation in science and research, and illustrated his point with examples of successful German-Japanese collaboration in microbiology. Moreover, the potential of future German-Japanese cooperation to solve problems like that of developing vaccines for AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis became apparent.

Professor Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka (Professor of the Division of Virology at the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo) presented his research on the influenza and Ebola viruses. Professor Kawaoka is working on a new strategy for fighting viral diseases; his research is supported by the JST’s “Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology” (ERATO) programme. As viral diseases are a global problem, international efforts are vital to this field of research.

The afternoon part of the symposium, “Successful Innovative Research and High-Risk Research Funding“, gave an overview of the DFG and JST funding systems, with particular focus on innovative research.

Professor Kleiner explained funding for high-risk research, which is distinguished by uncertainty as to its duration, its outcome and results, and its prospects of success. However, innovative research always involves a certain amount of risk. As high-risk research might require a total change in direction, the development of new methods, or the use of unconventional methods, funding must be flexible; something which poses a challenge to funding organisations. One way in which the DFG has risen to this challenge is, for example, by establishing the Reinhart Koselleck Projects, a funding tool specifically developed for high-risk research. Professor Kleiner pointed out that courage is required on both the applicant’s and DFG’s part in order to set an example in the international scientific community and accomplish a high-risk project.

Professor Kitazawa presented the JST’s funding programmes. The JST does not provide special funding tools for high-risk research, but groundbreaking projects are funded via programmes like CREST, ERATO and PRESTO.

Professor Dr. Hiroshi Takahashi (Director, JST Program Officer Academy) described the extraordinarily demanding tasks funding organisations and reviewers face when managing high-risk and high-impact research. Reviewers, for example, must possess wide expertise in various disciplines.

During the Q&A session, a lively audience discussion arose. Asked about special support for female researchers in Germany, Professor Kleiner referenced numerous DFG programmes and the increasing numbers of female applicants. An audience member remarked on the necessity of including the humanities and social sciences in the discussion on high-risk research, as its future impact on society cannot be predicted. Professor Kleiner explained that the humanities and social sciences also receive high-risk research funding, and emphasised the interdisciplinary character of many DFG projects. Positive feedback was expressed for Germany’s support for developing new energy sources, as well as concerning the JST’s desire to strengthen funding in this area.

Next, examples of innovative research in Germany and Japan were introduced. The first section was entitled “Solar Energy Conversion and Use”.

Professor Dr. Haruo Inoue (Professor at the Center for Priority Area, Tokyo Metropolitan University; Research Supervisor of PRESTO / “Sakigake” Researcher, Project “Chemical Conversion of Light Energy”) spoke on the chemical conversion of light energy and the problems involved in artificial photosynthesis. His research is supported by the JST’s Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO) programme.

Dr. Ryu Abe (Associate Professor at the Catalysis Chemistry Research Centre, Hokkaido University) reported on the development of a new method for producing hydrogen using a photovoltaic system. The hydrogen could be used as an energy resource for hydrogen fuel cells.

In his lecture, Professor Dr. Hans-Werner Schock (Director of Solar Energy Research/Institute of Technology, Helmholtz Center Berlin) described the solar energy research being carried out at the Helmholtz Center Berlin, which is, for example, working to improve the efficiency of this renewable energy. The Helmholtz Center gives young researchers from abroad an opportunity to gain international experience at its “summer schools” and other programmes.

The second afternoon session entitled “Innovations in Medical Treatment” was opened by Dr. Kenji Osafune (Associate Professor at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, and PRESTO / “Sakigake” Researcher, Project “Understanding Life by iPS Cells Technology”). His laboratory explores the use of iPS cells for developing new regenerative therapies or for testing new medicines. This research is expected to result in the discovery of innovative therapies for diseases like chronic kidney conditions, diabetes mellitus or chronic liver disease.

Professor Dr. Illeana Hanganu-Opatz (Professor at the Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and Emmy Noether Independent Research Group Leader) presented her research on the significance of oscillatory activity in the brain for the building of neuronal networks and the development of cognitive and behavioural abilities. Professor Hanganu-Opatz’ work is closely interconnected with psychology, and her group has a broad international network.

During the third session, “The Development of Nanobiology Capability”, Professor Takeharu Nagai (Professor at the Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, and PRESTO / “Sakigake” Researcher, Project “Innovative Use of Light and Materials / Life”) talked about his work on a new biological ‘highlighter’. The aim of his research is to invent genetically encoded chemical luminescent indicators which would make cancer cells glow. This would make these cells detectable, facilitating the discovery of early-stage tumours.

Professor Dr. Christian Hackenberger (Professor at the Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Free University of Berlin, and Independent Research Group Leader) gave an introduction to his research on proteins and chemoselective reactions as key elements for new findings in the life sciences. Professor Hackenberger also discussed the funding system in Germany, with particular reference to early-career researchers. One defining characteristic of the German system is its promotion of early independence among young researchers. The DFG’s Emmy Noether Programme or group leader positions at the Max-Planck and Helmholtz Institutes provide prospective professors with support for establishing their own independent research groups. Industry-sponsored programmes like the Liebig Scholarship offered by the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie or the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation’s Plus3 Award also support young researchers. Professorships are, for example, funded by the DFG (Heisenberg Professorship), the Volkswagen-Foundation (Lichtenburg Professorship), the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation (Kovalevskaja Award), or through ERC starting grants.

The subsequent panel discussion, which was chaired by Professor Inoue, brought up further aspects of funding in Germany and Japan. The high flexibility and diversity of the numerous funding programmes for young researchers within the German system were seen very positively. Criticisms concerning the lack of support, like tenure positions, for continuing a career, were levelled by the younger panellists. When it came to discussing the Japanese system, the good programmes for independent young researchers were mentioned, while the failure to practically ensure the independence of younger researchers within an institute or a university was criticised. Efficient programmes to enhance the motivation towards greater mobility among researchers returning to Japan from abroad were also regarded as insufficient in Japan. It was mentioned that many of Japan’s younger researchers fear that spending longer periods of time abroad would prove disadvantageous to their careers. The overall funding situations in Germany and Japan were, however, viewed as positive by both sides.

Professor Dr. Takayoshi Mamine (Executive Director at the Innovation Headquarters of JST) directed our attention once again to the long tradition of German-Japanese cooperation in research and concluded the symposium with an optimistic glimpse into the future.

Many participants used the ensuing reception as an opportunity to discuss directly the topics, questions and suggestions brought up during the symposium.

• Programme brochure with speakers’ profiles (pdf | 2,3 MB)
• “Opening Remarks“, Professor Kleiner (pdf | 28 KB)
• “Keynote Speech”, Professor Hacker: “Japan-German Cooperation in Science – Microbiology as an Example” (pdf | 2,5 MB)
• Professor Kitazawa: “Successful Innovative Research and High-Risk Research Funding” (pdf | 901 KB)
• Professor Takahashi: “The Management of High-Risk & High-Impact Research (HRHIR) Funding at JST” (pdf | 241 KB)
• Professor Inoue: “The Chemical Conversion of Light Energy: How Can We Get Through the Bottle Neck of Artificial Photosynthesis” (pdf | 3,7 MB)
• Dr. Abe: “The Development of a New Photovoltaic Water Splitting System toward Solar Hydrogen Production” (pdf | 4,9 MB)
• Dr. Osafune: “Towards Regenerative Medicine for Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Liver Disease Using iPS Cell Technology” (pdf | 1,3 MB)
• Professor Nagai: “Towards Invention of High-Performance, Genetically Encoded Luminescent Indicators for Functional Imaging in Living Organs” (pdf | 2,1 MB)
• Professor Hackenberger: “Chemoselective Relations as Key Elements for the Life Sciences” (pdf | 1,2 MB)
• Professor Dr. Illeana Hanganu-Opatz: “Melody of the Neonatal Brain: Maturation of Neuronal Networks and Behavioural Abilities as Result of Early Oscillatory Activity” (pdf | 3,3 MB)