On August 4, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Bordes, Nuclear Science Attaché of the Embassy of France in Japan, visited the Institute for Planetary Materials (IPM) of Okayama University. His visit coincided with his attendance at the “68th Curie Festival” commemorative ceremony held in Misasa Town, Tottori Prefecture. He was accompanied by Mr. AKASAKA, Deputy Mayor of Misasa Town. After Prof. YOSHINO Takashi, Director of the IPM, provided an overview of the Institute and its main research activities, a commemorative photo was taken.

This was followed by a visit to the Department of Planetary Materials Physics, where Director Yoshino introduced cutting-edge research on high-temperature and high-pressure experiments. In particular, Mr. Bordes observed a variety of ultra-high-pressure experimental devices and research samples, including the world’s only six-anvil Kawai-type multi-anvil press (6UHP) with precision control enabled by servo motors in addition to hydraulic control, as well as the uniaxial Kawai-type high-pressure apparatus (USSA-5000). These facilities play a crucial role in elucidating planetary interior structures, phase transitions of materials, the dynamics of Earth’s deep interior, and the processes of planetary formation and evolution.

In the Department of Earth and Planetary Analytical Sciences, Prof. KOBAYASHI Katsura, Vice Director of the IPM, introduced research achievements related to advanced curation of samples returned from asteroid Ryugu by “The Hayabusa2 mission”. He also explained the research workflow using actual samples and analytical instruments, to which drew great interest from Mr. Bordes”.

During the exchange session, Mr. Bordes explained that the French government is currently strengthening its science diplomacy efforts in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the fields of climate change, space science, nuclear science, and energy. He also mentioned the possibility of future research funding support and proposed potential collaboration with French research institutions. Further cooperation toward international joint research is anticipated for Okayama University and the Institute for Planetary Materials.

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