On June 21, 2024, the Italy-Japan Joint International Symposium was held at the KMU Tower and Katano Auditorium at Hirakata Campus. Co-hosted by the Italian Consulate in Osaka (then represented by the Consul General of Italy in Osaka Marco PRENCIPE) and KMU, in collaboration with Politecnico di Torino, the symposium focused on robotics for humanity and healthcare in anticipation of linking Italy and Japan in view of EXPO 2025 Osaka. The event, which offered an opportunity to share Japanese and Italian insights and latest research on the expanding field of robotics in healthcare and its tremendous potential, attracted over 150 participants from both Japan and abroad, facilitating lively exchanges of ideas.
At 9:30 AM, the morning session featuring robotics and medical companies commenced with a welcome address by President Emeritus and Director of the Center for Global Engagement Koichi TOMODA.
From 1:00 PM, opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Gianluigi BENEDETTI, Italian Ambassador to Japan, President Tatsuo KINASHI of Kansai Medical University, Vice President Alberto SAPORA of Politecnico di Torino; and President Stefano Paolo CORGNATI of Politecnico di Torino (via video appearance), under the moderation of a visiting professor Giuseppe PEZZOTTI (currently serving as Distinguished Professor appointed by the University President).
Following this, four keynote lectures were given, including one by Professor Giuseppe QUAGLIA of Politecnico di Torino. After the speeches, Consul General Marco PRENCIPE delivered the closing remarks.
The symposium continued with two themed sessions: “New robotic technologies for health care, rehabilitation, disability and aging society” and “Challenging applications of service robotics for Humanity and Healthcare.” Symposium participants from our university included Professor Kimitaka Hase from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Clinical Professor Yuko Ishizaki from the Department of Pediatrics, who presented the latest findings in healthcare and robotics engineering. Afterwards, a social gathering was held at the Cafeteria on the fourth floor of the Faculty of Medicine Building, where participants deepened their friendships with each other.
