Shandong University President Li Shucai (left) and Ogawa Hisao, President of Kumamoto University, pose for a photo on Nov 7. [Photo/Shandong University]

From Nov 7 to 9, a delegation led by Shandong University President Li Shucai visited Japan to deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges and enhance scientific and educational cooperation with Japanese universities.

The delegation visited Kumamoto University, Osaka University, and Wakayama Medical University. At Kumamoto University on Nov 7, Li emphasized the importance of education as a crucial area for Sino-Japanese exchanges and mutual learning. He expressed his hope for continued collaboration between the two universities to further advance education, scientific research, social services, and cultural inheritance and innovation.

At Osaka University, both sides reached consensus on strengthening academic and people-to-people exchanges and establishing inter-university cooperation. Li highlighted Shandong University's commitment to collaborating with Osaka University, emphasizing the vast potential for cooperation in talent development, scientific research, and cultural exchanges.

On Nov 8, the delegation met with Shuhei Animoto, governor of Wakayama Prefecture to discuss enhancing exchanges between young students and scholars from both countries and strengthening relations between Shandong Province and Wakayama Prefecture.

During the visit to Wakayama Medical University, both parties reviewed their fruitful exchanges over the past nearly 40 years and discussed future collaboration in fields such as student clinical internships, applying for Sakura Science Plan projects, and promoting cultural exchanges.

On Nov 9, the delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Japan and engaged in in-depth discussions with Wu Jianghao, Chinese Ambassador to Japan, on enhancing educational exchanges and strengthening bilateral exchanges to address global challenges together.

During the visit, Shandong University hosted an overseas talent exchange event in Tokyo, which was attended by over 120 young talents and alumni from universities such as the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, and Tokyo Institute of Technology.