Italian Research Day in the World 2025: Italy and Japan Unite for a Future Powered by Science and Innovation

Prof. Rosario Rizzuto, President of the National Center and Director of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Padua, outlines how Italy is redefining approaches to rare, genetic, and complex diseases—translating scientific discovery into everyday healthcare solutions.

Building on this momentum, the Tokyo seminar will bring together leading Italian and Japanese researchers to explore five key scientific and technological priority areas:

• High-performance computing
• Advanced agricultural technologies
• Sustainable mobility
• Biodiversity
• RNA-based therapies

The final session will focus on RNA and gene therapy, introduced and moderated by Dr. Piero Carninci, Head of the Genomics Research Centre at Human Technopole. Discussions will span targeting major disease to RNA based technologies and high-throughput screening tools.

National Center President Prof. Rosario Rizzuto presents opportunities for international scientific collaboration, ranging from disease mechanisms to drug development, delivery technologies, and platform innovation. Dr. Haruhiko Koseki, Deputy Director of the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, will offer the Japanese perspective on integrative biomedical research.

The session will also highlight Italy’s investment in long-term innovation infrastructure, including GMP facilities for RNA production and partnerships with major gene therapy centers such as OPBG and TIGET. Initiatives like PharmaTech Academy, joint Ph.D. programs, and tech transfer platforms demonstrate Italy’s comprehensive strategy for advancing scientific excellence and nurturing talent. To date, the Center has supported 35 projects empowering startups and service innovation.

The seminar will close with remarks by the Association of Italian Researchers in Japan (AIRJ) and will conclude with a networking reception to promote dialogue, partnership-building, and future scientific collaboration.

This event is more than a celebration—it is a forward-looking initiative to deepen bilateral ties and foster a shared future driven by research, innovation, and global impact.