The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli held a meeting with the Ambassador of Japan to Georgia, Imamura Akira and discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, and sports.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli thanked Imamura Akira for several important projects implemented in the education system of Georgia and expressed hope that the cooperation between the two countries in this direction will be further deepened.

The Minister spoke about the world-class mega-project - Kutaisi International University and noted that a large role in its development is played by members of the International Advisory Board, including Professor - Zensho Yoshida of the University of Tokyo (Japan). According to Mikheil Chkhenkeli, the university is developing in accordance with world standards of education. Academic programs are created in analogy to the academic programs of the world's leading universities, and this trend will continue in the future. Significant results in this direction have already been achieved with several universities. Among them, work is underway on a master's program in cybersecurity, which will be created in partnership with American and Japanese partners.

The Minister once again emphasized that the author of the idea and the entire concept of the university belongs to Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili. This is a great gift for young people, students, academia, and the whole country.

To promote the development of science, another mega-project - Hadron Therapy Center is being actively built, which is also funded by the Cartu Foundation. The scientific-research process in nuclear experimental physics, radiation biophysics and chemistry will be carried out at the center with the involvement of foreign scientists. Mikheil Chkhenkeli offered the ambassador to involve professors of leading Japanese universities in the academic and scientific activities of Kutaisi International University.

The Minister also spoke about vocational education. Its development and promotion are one of the main priorities of the state, as it is directly related to employment and economic development of the country. Mikheil Chkhenkeli stressed the importance of deepening cooperation with the Japanese side in vocational education, including discussing the possibility of organizing trainings and seminars for the staff of vocational colleges.

The Ambassador of Japan expressed readiness to support the Georgian education system. He also spoke about the cultural events implemented and planned, which will deepen relations between the two countries, whilst promoting Georgian culture in Japan, and popularizing Japanese culture in Georgia.

The Ambassador also discussed the business relations with the Georgian Sumo Union, which was strengthened by the election of Levan Tsaguria as the President of the Union. As you know, Levan Tsaguria is the first Georgian professional sumo wrestler who has competed in Japan for years and is extremely popular there. According to the ambassador, with the support of the Embassy of Japan, Japanese sumo instructors will arrive in Georgia and conduct theoretical and practical trainings for Georgian coaches and athletes.

The sides also talked about the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, for which Georgian athletes are actively preparing.

The meeting between the Minister and the Ambassador of Japan was also attended by the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Cultural Attaché - Imanishi Takao.