On 19–21 May 2025, representatives of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research visited Japan. A delegation led by JINR Director, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Grigory Trubnikov visited major national research centres: KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization) and J-PARC (Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex). During the working meetings, the parties discussed opportunities for expanding collaboration in experimental research and exchanging expertise in science.

Meeting with KEK Director Shoji Asai, Director of the KEK Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies Naohito Saito, and COMET Project Manager Satoshi Mihara

In addition, the JINR delegation included CP JINR Chair and Plenipotentiary Representative of Georgia Arsen Khvedelidze, Director of the Laboratory of Nuclear Problems (DLNR) at JINR Evgeny Yakushev, Deputy Head of the DLNP Scientific and Experimental Department of Elementary Particle Physics of Liudmila Kolupaeva, and a DLNP senior researcher Petr Evtoukhovitch. Japanese research centres were represented by KEK Director Shoji Asai and J-PARC Director Takashi Kobayashi together with their deputies in charge of relevant areas of research.

During the visit, bilateral negotiations aimed at deepening cooperation between the Joint Institute and Japanese organizations in science and collaborative studies took place. The parties discussed promising areas of physics research and opportunities for cooperation in JINR, KEK, and J-PARC projects. The participants of the negotiations expressed mutual interest and noted their interest in updating the current Memorandum of Understanding.

For several years, JINR scientists have been actively involved in the projects of the J-PARC scientific centre, particularly the COMET and T2K Experiments, making a significant contribution to creating and developing detector systems, along with experimental data analysis. The KEK and J-PARC leadership highly appreciated the achievements of the Joint Institute’s specialists and noted the potential for their participation in the planned international Hyper-Kamiokande Project. In addition, the parties expressed mutual interest in involving Japanese scientists in experiments carried out at JINR’s main facilities.

One of the promising areas for expanding international cooperation is neutron physics. The considerable experience of the Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) at JINR in conducting fundamental and applied research is of significant interest to J-PARC. In addition, the parties highlighted the importance of academic mobility for theoretical and experimental physicists, as it will contribute not only to strengthening scientific ties, but also to actively exchanging knowledge and practical experience in priority areas of research.

Dubna this year as well. Plans include an introduction to JINR’s scientific infrastructure and the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding.

Meeting with J-PARC Director Takashi Kobayashi, J-PARC Deputy Director Takeshi Komatsubara, Head of the J-PARC Materials and Life Science Division Toshiya Otomo, Professor at the J-PARC Particle and Nuclear Physics Division Takeshi Nakadaira, and COMET Project Manager Satoshi Mihara