On April 26, 2011, the Japanese-German Scientific Cooperation in the 21st Century:
"Biocatalysts for future feedstock utilization" Symposium was held at the NAIST Millennium Hall.

The symposium was hosted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), RWTH Aachen University and NAIST in celebration of both the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Germany and the 20th anniversary of the founding of our university. This occasion was realized with the purpose of enhancing further exchanges between related German organizations and NAIST.

The symposium started with opening remarks from H.E. Dr. Volker Stanzel (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Japan), Prof. Dr. Akira Isogai (NAIST President) and Prof. Dr. Ernst Schmachtenberg (RWTH Aachen University President).

After the opening remarks, presentations regarding the latest research achievements and the future vision of useful enzymes were made by 10 participants. There were five speakers from German organizations, one from a Japanese company and from our university, Prof. Dr. Shun Hirota (Graduate School of Material Science), Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Takagi (Graduate School of Biological Sciences) and Prof. Dr. Akiho Yokota (Graduate School of Biological Sciences).

A total of 182 people attended the symposium. They exchanged information in the question and answer session after the presentation. Overall, the symposium closed successfully.

On the same day, Prof. Dr. Ernst Schmachtenberg, Prof. Dr. Jun Okuda (Aachen University) , and Georg K. Löer (Representative Director & President NRW Japan K.K.) made a courtesy visit to NAIST President Akira Isogai.

From our university, Prof. Dr. Akira Isogai (President), Prof. Dr. Shinji Murai (Executive Director and Vice President), Prof. Dr. Atsuhiko Shinmyo (Executive Director and Vice President) and Kimikazu Sawada (Executive Director) greeted them. They explained about the university, shared information and exchanged opinions concerning future relationships.

After the greeting, the guests visited the Photonic Molecular Science Laboratory and the Green Nanosystem Laboratory, receiving an explanation of the research carried out there from Prof. Dr. Kawai and Prof. Dr. Naito.

This occasion was a fruitful opportunity to deepen relationships and encourage future cooperation between German organizations and NAIST.