Brussels, 13/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - EU Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik will be making an official visit to Japan on 15 and 16 June 2008 to attend the first G8 science and technology meeting in Okinawa on 15 June. At the G8 meeting, Potocnik will stress the importance and potential of increased international science and technology cooperation in addressing shared global challenges like climate change and energy. On 16 June, he will pay a visit to Tokyo, where he will discuss EU - Japan cooperation in meetings with Japan's minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, Kisaburo Tokai, and the minister of the economy, trade and industry, Akira Amari. At Tokyo University, the Commissioner will launch a new network of European researchers in Japan. At present, there are few EU-Japan joint research projects. Apart from partnerships in global programmes like ITER, EU-Japanese science and technology cooperation tends to focus on information and communication technology (ICT). During his visit, Potocnik find out how opportunities can be offered to Japanese research teams to get involved in the EU's Seventh Research and Development Framework Programme (2007-2013) in fields other than ICT. He will also discuss with Japanese authorities the ongoing negotiations for an EU-Japan Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, Japan being the last remaining developed country that does not have a Science and Technology Cooperation agreement with the EU. (B.C./transl.fl)