MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION IN EDUCATION BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF JAPAN AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan and the Department of State of the United States of America (hereinafter respectively referred to as a “Side” and collectively as “both Sides”);

Recalling the importance of broadening educational and cultural cooperation as mentioned in the 1961 Joint Statement between Prime Minister Ikeda and President Kennedy and the spirit of cooperation embodied in the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America on Educational Exchange Programs, signed in Tokyo, February 15, 1979; and

Noting the importance of education and human capital development in national development, and the value of international cooperation and policy dialogue in education and research for realizing national objectives,
Have decided as follows:

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

1. Through this Memorandum of Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “this Memorandum”) both Sides intend to promote mutual cooperation and exchanges in the fields of education, according to which they may jointly identify fields of mutual interest and create opportunities to develop dialogue or other cooperation on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

FRAMEWORK

2. Both Sides expect educational cooperation activities under this Memorandum to cover fields of secondary and higher education, and research, specifically high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels, as well as other possible fields of mutual interest.

3. Both Sides intend to encourage and facilitate, as appropriate, the development of contacts and cooperation in the field of education between the interested educational organizations and institutions of their respective countries.

4. Both Sides intend to engage in cooperative activities under this Memorandum in accordance with their respective laws and regulations.

FIELDS AND FORMS OF COOPERATION

5. Both Sides intend to encourage:
・exchange and professional development of government officials, academics, scholars, teachers, experts, students, and administrative staff;

・cooperation and exchange of information on their respective educational systems and policies to assist in ongoing education reform and to facilitate the recognition of each other’s educational qualifications and student/staff mobility;

・collaboration between education institutions of the two countries, in next generation sciences of mutual interest as identified in the 2021 Japan-U.S. Competitiveness and Resilience (CoRe) Partnership;

・joint conferences, exhibitions, and symposia on matters of mutual interest; and

・other forms of cooperation in mutually decided and targeted areas.

POLICY DIALOGUE

6. Both Sides expect implementation of this Memorandum to be reported in an annual high level policy dialogue, supported by a joint higher education working group which would be held as needed, to exchange information and experience and identify priorities and action plans for bilateral cooperation on secondary and higher education, and exchange. They expect, further, that such a dialogue would be chaired jointly by them, and that representatives from other ministries and agencies may also participate as necessary.

IMPLEMENTATION

7. FUNDING: The cost of cooperative activities carried out under this Memorandum may be funded as mutually decided, subject to availability of funds.  Both Sides intend to cover their respective costs of implementation of this Memorandum.

8. CONSULTATIONS: Both Sides intend to consult together upon the request of either Side regarding any matter relating to this Memorandum and to endeavor jointly, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual trust, to resolve any difficulties or misunderstanding, which may arise.

9. DURATION: Both Sides intend for this Memorandum to commence on signature and to continue for five (5) years.

10. REVISION AND DISCONTINUATION: This Memorandum may be modified or extended by mutual decision and either Side may discontinue this Memorandum at any time and should endeavor to give at least six (6) months’ advance written notice to the other Side of its intent to discontinue.

11. STATUS: This Memorandum does not constitute an international agreement and does not give rise to rights or obligations under international law.


Signed in duplicate in Hiroshima on the 21 day of May 2023 in both Japanese and English languages.  





_________________________________            _________________________________
NAGAOKA Keiko                Antony J. Blinken
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,       Secretary of State
Science and Technology of Japan        of the United States of America
 

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