Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi was in Israel this week to sign a first-of-its-kind industrial R&D collaboration agreement with Israel’s Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett. Israel is the first country with which Japan has such an R&D agreement.

Minister Motegi and Israel’s Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett signed a collaboration agreement for reciprocal support in joint industrial R&D projects between Israeli and Japanese companies and organizations. The agreement will be implemented by the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) in the Israeli Ministry of Economy.

“We are constantly looking for ways to strengthen our economic ties throughout the world, as exemplified by this R&D agreement,” Bennett said. “This is a breakthrough achievement. The agreement creates an excellent platform for joint initiatives, innovation and for Israeli companies to enter the Japanese market.”

Motegi came to Israel following an invitation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Motegi met during Netanyahu’s recent visit to Japan. The Japanese minister led a delegation including top level representatives of Japanese industry as well as senior representatives of Japan’s Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry – which oversees Japanese industry, industrial R&D, and cyber technology. (via Israel21c)

[Photo: AFP News Agency / YouTube]