International cooperation is becoming increasingly important as a means to manifest the Ecotechnology necessary to create a more commodious environment and promote sustainable development. To control and maintain the global environment in this manner, we must focus on global assessment, evaluation and observation. It is imperative that international research and development continue with technological cooperation and a multidisciplinary perspective. Toward this end, NIRE has been active in promoting international collaboration in a variety of programs as follows:

1.Joint research with organizations of industrialized countries

Among programs being executed under guidelines of bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements, and specific international joint research projects, is one to develop technology that will mitigate global warming, and another to conduct basic research on beneficial utilization and environmental preservation of eucalyptus trees silivicultured at biomass plantations. NIRE has signed the Memorandum of Understandings with several overseas organizations to promote active research collaborations.

2.Cooperation programs with developing countries

Programs are being undertaken at the Institute for Transfer of Industrial Technology. Among those currently being conducted are studies of efficient utilization of unused tropical biomass and removal of environmental pollutants in exhaust gas by electric discharge.

3.Technological cooperation with JICA

Group and individual training courses are held under the auspices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These courses presently include Industrial Pollution Control, Mining Safety, and Advanced Industrial Technology. NIRE dispatches expert engineers to developing countries in response to requests to JICA.

4.Environmental Technology Research Network in the Asia-Pacific Region

The Environmental Technology Research Network in the Asia-Pacific Region (ETERNET-APR) has been organized by the Conference for the Advancement of Environmental Technology Research, AIST. As the host of the ETERET-APR secretariat, NIRE promotes research collaboration and research exchange.

5.Researcher Exchange Programs

NIRE staff members visit overseas governmental organizations and universities for periods ranging from one week to one year. Many of our staff members regularly attend overseas conferences and international meetings as well. NIRE also makes active use of invitation programs, such as STA and AIST fellowships, to enable guest researchers to visit Japan and work at NIRE. Figure shows statistics for international researchers exchanged over the past several years.