Second Selection of Applicants for the J-Innovation Hub Initiative

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1. Overview of the J-Innovation Hub Initiative

Under this initiative, METI targets regional innovation hubs, mainly universities, and assesses and selects outstanding industry-academia bases playing a leading role as a hub of companies’ networks. It will thereby aim to enhance the trust of selected hubs in society, concentrate support measures to them and enhance the ability of top-ranking hubs.

METI selected these hubs for two categories: the international development category and the regional contribution category.

The international development category: Hubs proactively engaging in industry-academia collaboration activities with global enterprises both at home and abroad; and aiming toward further business development overseas in the future.
The regional contribution category: Hubs aiming to solve regional challenges, vitalize regional economies and take on other actions; and proactively engaging in industry-academia collaboration activities with regional companies and municipalities.

2. Outline of selection processes

METI opened a call for applicants from October 12 to November 13, 2020, and received 13 applications.

In response, it conducted an examination of the applications from the viewpoints below and decided on the successful applicants as a result of discussions held at an examination committee of outside experts.

Major viewpoints of the examination

• Visions and purposes of applicant hubs as well as strategies and plans;
• Infrastructure of and inputs to such hubs (systems involving researchers and support staff, financial infrastructure, facilities and equipment, systems involving contracts and security, and human resource development);
• Processes for creating innovations at such hubs (innovation management systems); and
• Outputs and outcomes from creating innovations at such hubs.

3. Second selection of applicants for the J-Innovation Hub Initiative Hubs

International development category:

Nagoya University	Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability
Kobe University	Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology
Hiroshima University	Research Institute for Nanodevice and Bio Systems

Regional contribution category:

Iwate University	Research Center for Manufacturing Technology
University of Aizu	University-Business Innovation Center; Revitalization Center

Division in Charge

Industry-University Collaboration Office, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau