Hokkaido University and JETRO Sign Comprehensive Partnership Agreement
Overview
Hokkaido University and JETRO signed a comprehensive partnership agreement to promote international industry-academia collaboration, talent education, and academic research. They will advance research and talent development in advanced technology fields, create startups and support their international expansion, and aim to put research results into practical use, develop global talent, and contribute to regional development and problem-solving. The announcement also describes prior collaboration with UC Berkeley, talent development programs in Hokkaido, and an AI and semiconductor forum.
Key points
- The agreement aims to promote international industry-academia collaboration, talent education, and academic research.
- Areas of collaboration include support for applying research results, research, talent development, and industry-academia collaboration in advanced technology fields, as well as startup creation and international expansion.
- The partners aim to promote the practical application of research results and the development of global talent, contributing to regional development and problem-solving.
Overview
The partnership combines Hokkaido University's talent, research and development capabilities, and networks with academic communities in Japan and abroad with JETRO's domestic and international networks and expertise in supporting businesses.
The two organizations signed the agreement on November 4, 2026.
Impact
Through these initiatives, the partners aim to promote the practical application of research results and the development of global talent, contributing to development and problem-solving in Hokkaido and other regions.
Details
Cooperation under the agreement covers international academic research, education, global talent development, and industry-academia collaboration; support for the social application of research results in Japan and abroad; promotion of academic, educational, cultural, and industrial activities in Japan and local regions; research, talent development, industry-academia collaboration, startup creation, and international expansion in advanced technology fields, including semiconductors; and any other matters the two organizations deem necessary.
JETRO signed a memorandum with UC Berkeley to advance entrepreneurship education, innovation, and academic exchange. Hokkaido University endorsed its aims in fiscal 2024. In fiscal 2025, it invited teams from SkyDeck, a university startup support program, to Hokkaido and jointly held a symposium and a talent development boot camp.
On the date the agreement was signed, JETRO Hokkaido held the Hokkaido-Taiwan AI and Semiconductor Co-Creation Forum, with Hokkaido University's support. The forum promoted exchanges among companies and universities in Japan and Taiwan and aimed to create use cases that apply AI and semiconductor technologies to address regional challenges in Hokkaido.