Southern California Japanese Researchers Networking Reception
2026/10/14
On October 9, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles hosted the Southern California Japanese Researchers Networking Reception at the Consul General’s official residence. This reception was held primarily to strengthen networks among Japanese researchers registered in the "Southern California PI (Principal Investigators) Map," which was created and published by the Consulate. Approximately 60 guests attended, including prominent Japanese PIs active in Southern California, as well as representatives from local universities and research institutions.
At the beginning of the event, Consul General Kosei Murota delivered opening remarks, expressing his deep respect for the outstanding contributions of Japanese researchers in Southern California in the fields of science and technology. He also expressed his hope that the PI Map would not only deepen connections among researchers but also vitalize joint research with Japanese students and researchers, thereby leading to enhanced scientific capabilities between Japan and the United States.
Following the remarks, representing the Japanese researchers listed on the PI Map, presentations were given by Dr. Hiroshi Ooguri, Professor at the California Institute of Technology, and Dr. Ichiro Yuki, Professor at the University of California, Irvine. After these presentations, a lively Q&A session ensued, with participating researchers raising enthusiastic questions about the future of Japan-U.S. industry-academia collaboration. Afterwards, a toast proposed by Dr. Hitoshi Abe, Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, marked the beginning of the networking reception. In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, attendees were actively interacting with one another, engaging in lively exchanges of information across different fields of expertise.
The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles will continue to support the activities of local Japanese researchers through the utilization and updating of the Southern California PI Map, and remains committed to strengthening academic and industrial collaboration between Japan and Southern California.
At the beginning of the event, Consul General Kosei Murota delivered opening remarks, expressing his deep respect for the outstanding contributions of Japanese researchers in Southern California in the fields of science and technology. He also expressed his hope that the PI Map would not only deepen connections among researchers but also vitalize joint research with Japanese students and researchers, thereby leading to enhanced scientific capabilities between Japan and the United States.
Following the remarks, representing the Japanese researchers listed on the PI Map, presentations were given by Dr. Hiroshi Ooguri, Professor at the California Institute of Technology, and Dr. Ichiro Yuki, Professor at the University of California, Irvine. After these presentations, a lively Q&A session ensued, with participating researchers raising enthusiastic questions about the future of Japan-U.S. industry-academia collaboration. Afterwards, a toast proposed by Dr. Hitoshi Abe, Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, marked the beginning of the networking reception. In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, attendees were actively interacting with one another, engaging in lively exchanges of information across different fields of expertise.
The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles will continue to support the activities of local Japanese researchers through the utilization and updating of the Southern California PI Map, and remains committed to strengthening academic and industrial collaboration between Japan and Southern California.
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| Group Photo | Presentation by Dr. Ichiro Yuki (University of California, Irvine) |
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| Presentation by Dr. Hiroshi Ooguri (California Institute of Technology) | From left of Consul General Murota: Dr. Ooguri, Dr. Yuki, and Dr. Abe |
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| Toast by Dr. Hitoshi Abe (University of California, Los Angeles) |