Kyoto University and NTT West Japan Sign Partnership Agreement

National University Corporation Kyoto University (Headquarters: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; President: Nagahiro Minato; hereinafter "Kyoto University") and NTT West Japan Corporation (Headquarters: Miyakojima-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Ryota Kitamura; hereinafter "NTT West Japan") have concluded a partnership agreement on March 26, 2026, aimed at building and utilizing a data-driven infrastructure using the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (hereinafter "IOWN"), based on discussions under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 15, 2025.

※ October 15, 2025 press release: https://www.ntt-west.co.jp/news/2510/251015a.html

Kyoto University President Nagahiro Minato (left) and NTT West Japan Representative Director and President Ryota Kitamura (right) at Kyoto University, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

1. Background and Purpose

As data-driven society advances, data-driven research is growing in importance across various fields. Universities are called upon to advance cutting-edge research grounded in academic expertise, while companies are expected to contribute to sustainable growth through social implementation.

Kyoto University has long accumulated world-leading knowledge across diverse academic disciplines and has engaged in research, development, and human resource cultivation to address social challenges. NTT West Japan, leveraging its strength in ICT infrastructure rooted in local communities, is pursuing new value creation through digital technologies.

Against this backdrop, Kyoto University and NTT West Japan are entering into this partnership agreement to build a cooperative relationship in the fields of education, research, human resource development, regional contribution, and technology development. The agreement aims to comprehensively advance efforts including the realization of Kyoto University's Campus Platform Vision, verification and study of IOWN technology toward that goal, personnel exchange (researcher development, recruitment, and utilization), and intellectual property management.

2. Initiatives

Kyoto University and NTT West Japan will mutually collaborate and strengthen efforts primarily in the following areas:

(1) Building a data-driven infrastructure utilizing IOWN and creating new value in the following fields to resolve regional social challenges and achieve sustainable development:

· Disaster prevention

· Healthcare

· Education

· Cross-disciplinary areas ("Disaster Prevention × Healthcare", "Environment × Disaster Prevention")

(2) Human resource development to advance initiatives in each field and support the resolution of regional social challenges and sustainable future development

(3) Verification of related technologies toward further advancement of the IOWN concept

The scope of initiatives will be expanded into new fields through ongoing discussions between both parties.

Prior to concluding this agreement, Kyoto University newly joined the IOWN Global Forum (as of October 17, 2025).

※ An international organization established to realize the IOWN concept.