“MITATE Lab. Post Fukushima Studies” Inaugurated
“MITATE Lab. Post Fukushima Studies” is a research project that has been adopted as one of the International Research Laboratories (IRL) established by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) around the world. It aims to explore the consequences and complexities brought about by the Great East Japan Earthquake from both human and environmental perspectives through collaborative, international, and interdisciplinary research by researchers primarily from Japan and France. Researchers from Fukushima University, not only in natural sciences but also in the humanities and social sciences will participate in the project. As this research project advances, it is expected to uncover important insights that will contribute to the reconstruction of Fukushima and enhance information dissemination to local and international communities.
On June 23, 2025 (Mon), to commemorate the inauguration of MITATE Lab. Post Fukushima Studies, we welcomed delegations from various related organizations and held “Signing Ceremony of an Academic Exchange Agreement between Fukushima University and the French National Centre for Scientific Research and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission” in the 6th-floor conference room of the Institute of Environmental Radioactivity (IER) main building at Fukushima University.
The ceremony began with an address by MIURA Hiroki (President of Fukushima University), followed by speeches from Antoine PETIT (CNRS Chairman and CEO), NANBA Kenji (Director of IER), Nicolas ARNAUD (Director of CNRS Earth & Space), Gilles BERNARD-MICHEL (Acting Director of CEA Fundamental Research Division, Nuclear Advisor at Embassy of France), and Didier MARTY-DESSUS (Research Advisor at Embassy of France). Finally, Cécile ASANUMA-BRICE, Director of MITATE Lab. (CNRS Professor) and Olivier EVRARD, Deputy-Director of MITATE Lab. (CEA Researcher) explained the activities of the MITATE Lab. Post Fukushima Studies and its future developments. The ceremony was chaired by WAKIYAMA Yoshifumi, Deputy-Director of MITATE Lab. (Associate Professor at IER).
 Signing Ceremony (after the signatures by representatives of each organization) Gilles BERNARD-MICHEL (CEA) (Left), MIURA Hiroki (Fukushima Univ.) (Center), Antoine PETIT (CNRS) (Right) | |
 Signing Ceremony (commemorative photo with representatives and related officials from each organization) Front row (left to right): Representatives of CEA, Fukushima Univ., and CNRS Back row (left to right): Didier MARTY-DESSUS (Embassy of France), Olivier EVRARD (CEA), WAKIYAMA Yoshifumi (IER), NANBA Kenji (IER), Nicolas ARNAUD (CNRS), Sophie AYRAULT (Deputy-Director of CNRS Earth & Space), Cécile ASANUMA-BRICE (CNRS) | |
  Signing Ceremony President MIURA (left) and Director NANBA (right) giving speeches, with Associate Professor WAKIYAMA (far right) chairing the ceremony |
Prior to the signing ceremony, on June 21 (Sat) and 22 (Sun), an excursion was conducted in the disaster-affected areas of Fukushima’s Hamadori region for relevant parties to share information on the current situation in Fukushima and research challenges.
On June 23 (Mon), the day of the signing ceremony, after arriving at our university, Antoine PETIT (CNRS) and other French officials paid a courtesy call on President MIURA, during which they discussed future collaboration with our university officials and subsequently toured the facilities of IER. After the signing ceremony, a luncheon was held, where MATSUDA Tsukasa (Executive Director of Fukushima University) gave a toast, and information exchange took place among the attendees of the ceremony.
  Excursion in the disaster-affected areas of Fukushima’s Hamadori region |
  Courtesy call on the President of Fukushima University (at the President’s Office) The President presents the official mascot of Fukushima University to the CNRS Chairman (left) Group photo of attendees (right) |
  Tour of the IER facilities Professor WADA Toshihiro (left) and Professor TAKATA Hyoe (right) from IER giving explanations |
  Tour of the IER facilities CNRS Chairman with the Director and Deputy Directors of MITATE Lab. in front of the lab (left) Gamma-Ray Spectrometry Room in the Analytical Laboratory (right) |
  Luncheon at the IER 6th-floor A601 Seminar Room Executive Director MATSUDA giving a toast (left) |