Okayama University: Cabinet Secretary Advisor Matsuo Taiki Visits Okayama University to Inspect State-of-the-Art Research Equipment "Arctis" and Okayama University Hospital
On March 26, 2026, Taiki Matsuo, Cabinet Secretary Advisor and former Director-General of the Cabinet Office's Council for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, visited Okayama University. He inspected cutting-edge research facilities like the cryo-electron microscope "Krios G4" and the cryo-plasma FIB-SEM "Arctis," and discussed the university's research infrastructure development under the J-PEAKS initiative. Matsuo also toured Okayama University Hospital, observing advanced medical technologies and intensive care units, demonstrating strong interest in the university's dual commitment to advanced research and specialized medical care.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 11:02
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 02:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 01:16 (334h 45m after Collected)
April 7, 2026
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
On March 26, 2026, Mr. Taiki Matsuo, Cabinet Secretary Advisor, former Director-General of the Cabinet Office's Council for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, and a member of Okayama University's Management Council, visited the university. He inspected state-of-the-art research equipment at the Tsushima Campus and exchanged opinions on the status of research infrastructure development through the university's "Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional Core and Distinctive Institutions (J-PEAKS)" and the utilization system for shared equipment.
On the day of the visit, Mr. Matsuo first toured the cryo-electron microscope "Krios G4," introduced in FY2023, at the Institute for Basic Science, an interdisciplinary institute within the Advanced Institute for Science and Technology. Following this, he visited the Co-creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE) to see "Arctis," a cryo-plasma FIB-SEM device for cryo-tomography, which commenced shared use in November 2025.
Associate Professor Osamu Numamoto, Associate Professor Koji Kato, and Assistant Professor Bo-cheng Tsai from the Advanced Research Area of the Academic Research Institute (Institute for Basic Science) of the university carefully explained the overview of the equipment and research achievements utilizing it. Mr. Matsuo, the Cabinet Secretary Advisor, posed specific questions such as "How are these facilities being utilized by other universities and industries?" and "Is the support system for technical staff and faculty sufficient?", indicating a high level of interest in the university's initiatives.
Furthermore, other floors of KIBINOVE were also inspected. Explanations were provided and opinions exchanged regarding the role of this facility, developed through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Facility Development Project for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and Joint Research through Partnership of Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities," as a base for the university's industry-academia and research activities, and concrete examples of industry-academia-government-citizen collaboration.
Afterward, Mr. Matsuo moved to the Shikata Campus and visited Okayama University Hospital. He met with Hospital Director Yoshinobu Maeda and others. After receiving an explanation from Director Maeda about the hospital's management situation, he inspected the IVR Center and the ICU/CICU intensive care units within the hospital. At the IVR Center, he visited the IVR-CT room and gained a deeper understanding of advanced medical technologies such as image-guided cryoablation from radiology doctors. At the ICU, he received explanations from the head nurse about medical equipment and operational systems, and also inspected the beds for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease, confirming the hospital's highly advanced and specialized medical care provision system.
The university will further promote the advancement of technical staff and the shared use of research equipment, leveraging J-PEAKS, to create new research and innovation, thereby transforming society. We invite you to look forward to the continuous challenges and transformations of Okayama University, an open regional core and distinctive research university.
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
On March 26, 2026, Mr. Taiki Matsuo, Cabinet Secretary Advisor, former Director-General of the Cabinet Office's Council for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, and a member of Okayama University's Management Council, visited the university. He inspected state-of-the-art research equipment at the Tsushima Campus and exchanged opinions on the status of research infrastructure development through the university's "Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional Core and Distinctive Institutions (J-PEAKS)" and the utilization system for shared equipment.
On the day of the visit, Mr. Matsuo first toured the cryo-electron microscope "Krios G4," introduced in FY2023, at the Institute for Basic Science, an interdisciplinary institute within the Advanced Institute for Science and Technology. Following this, he visited the Co-creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE) to see "Arctis," a cryo-plasma FIB-SEM device for cryo-tomography, which commenced shared use in November 2025.
Associate Professor Osamu Numamoto, Associate Professor Koji Kato, and Assistant Professor Bo-cheng Tsai from the Advanced Research Area of the Academic Research Institute (Institute for Basic Science) of the university carefully explained the overview of the equipment and research achievements utilizing it. Mr. Matsuo, the Cabinet Secretary Advisor, posed specific questions such as "How are these facilities being utilized by other universities and industries?" and "Is the support system for technical staff and faculty sufficient?", indicating a high level of interest in the university's initiatives.
Furthermore, other floors of KIBINOVE were also inspected. Explanations were provided and opinions exchanged regarding the role of this facility, developed through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Facility Development Project for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and Joint Research through Partnership of Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities," as a base for the university's industry-academia and research activities, and concrete examples of industry-academia-government-citizen collaboration.
Afterward, Mr. Matsuo moved to the Shikata Campus and visited Okayama University Hospital. He met with Hospital Director Yoshinobu Maeda and others. After receiving an explanation from Director Maeda about the hospital's management situation, he inspected the IVR Center and the ICU/CICU intensive care units within the hospital. At the IVR Center, he visited the IVR-CT room and gained a deeper understanding of advanced medical technologies such as image-guided cryoablation from radiology doctors. At the ICU, he received explanations from the head nurse about medical equipment and operational systems, and also inspected the beds for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease, confirming the hospital's highly advanced and specialized medical care provision system.
The university will further promote the advancement of technical staff and the shared use of research equipment, leveraging J-PEAKS, to create new research and innovation, thereby transforming society. We invite you to look forward to the continuous challenges and transformations of Okayama University, an open regional core and distinctive research university.