August 29, 2025

Key Points

• On Monday, September 1, Yamagata University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. will sign a comprehensive partnership agreement."
• National University Corporation Yamagata University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. / PrintoCent, and JETRO Yamagata will jointly organize the Japan-Finland Joint Workshop on Sustainable Electronics. The event will be held on September 1 (Monday), following the Yamagata University J-PEAKS Kick-off Symposium, at 2:00 PM at Yamagata University’s Frontier Center for Organic Materials Systems (Building 11, 2nd Floor, Mirai Hall, Yonezawa Campus). (Simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English provided, program attached.)
• Yamagata University has been conducting research and development in printed and flexible electronics for over 15 years, ranging from fundamental research to practical applications. In April 2025, the university launched the J-PEAKS project with “Sustainable Electronics” as a core focus.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. has over 30 years of R&D experience in printed electronics, with its own pilot lines to support research through prototyping. In 2009, VTT established the PrintoCent cluster to accelerate industrialization, supporting growth from innovation to business.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Yamagata University in 2023 and supports international collaboration between companies and institutions.

Overview

On Monday, September 1, Yamagata University will sign a comprehensive partnership agreement with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.

In conjunction with this, leveraging support tools provided by JETRO, a delegation of 14 people from Finland will visit Yamagata, including the Vice President of VTT, one representative from the Embassy of Finland, four members from VTT/PrintCent, eight participants from six startups, and one representative from Tampere University. A Japan-Finland Joint Workshop will be held, featuring simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English (program attached).

Yamagata University has engaged in mutual visits and collaborative research at the laboratory level with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. through the international network of Professor Emeritus Shizuo Tokito. This time, Yamagata University will act as a gateway to strengthen partnerships between Finnish and Japanese companies, institutions, and researchers.

For over 15 years, Yamagata University has promoted open innovation as a hub for research and development from fundamental studies to practical applications in the field of printed and flexible electronics. In April of this year, the university launched the J-PEAKS initiative, centered on “Sustainable Electronics.”

This workshop, following last year’s Japan-Netherlands Joint Workshop, is another step forward in promoting international innovation by connecting regional and domestic companies in Japan with overseas companies.

Following the workshop, individual meetings will be held on September 2. On September 3, the delegation will visit two companies in Yamagata Prefecture related to sustainable electronics, followed by a visit to a company in the Tokyo metropolitan area on September 4.

Comprehensive Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony

Date: Monday, September 1, 2025
Venue: 5th Floor, Building No.11, Yonezawa Campus, Yamagata University
(4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Agenda:

1. Opening Remarks
2. Explanation of the Background and Overview of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement
3. Signing of the Agreement
4. Group Photo
5. Q&A Session

Joint Workshop Overview

Date: Monday, September 1, 2025
Venue: 2nd Floor, Building No.11, Yonezawa Campus, Yamagata University(4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Time:14:00 – 18:35 Oral Presentations (Mirai Hall, Building No.11)
　　　18:35 – 19:35 Poster Session & Networking (Lounge, Building No.11)
Participation Fee: Free of charge
Capacity: 150 participants

Future Development

Yamagata University and VTT will use this joint workshop as an opportunity to discuss potential organizational-level collaboration in sustainable electronics and aim to conclude a formal cooperation agreement.

Overview of Joint Workshop Co-Organizers

○ VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
VTT is one of Europe’s largest applied research organizations, working with industry, academia, and government to promote innovations for a sustainable society. With more than 30 years of experience in printed electronics, VTT has pioneered technologies such as printed sensors, circuits, and energy devices. It has developed processing technologies adaptable to paper, plastics, and textiles, enabling new applications in wearable devices and smart packaging. VTT operates pilot lines and provides end-to-end support from research to prototyping and industrialization, collaborating globally with companies and universities. 

Website: https://www.vttresearch.com/en/ourservices/printed-electronics 

 

○ PrintoCent 
Established in 2009 under the leadership of VTT with founding members including the University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and Business Oulu, PrintoCent is a cluster dedicated to innovation and industrialization. Today, PrintoCent works globally with over 40 international industry members and partners. 

Website: https://www.printocent.net/printocent-cluster 

 

○ Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) 
Overview: Independent administrative institution under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) 

Headquarters: Tokyo 
Domestic: 48 offices and 1 branch office in Japan 
Overseas: 76 offices in 55 countries 
JETRO Yamagata: Yamagata City, Nanokamachi 3-5-20, Fuji Kasai Yamagata Building, 4th Floor 

Website: https://www.jetro.go.jp/ 
JETRO Yamagata: https://www.jetro.go.jp/jetro/japan/yamagata/ 

Reference

【Joint Workshop Website】 
September 1, 2025, 2:00–7:30 PM @ Yamagata University Frontier Center for Organic Materials Systems, 2nd Floor 
https://iomform.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/uploads/1/J20250817.pdf 

【J-PEAKS Kick-off Symposium Website】 
September 1, 2025, 10:45 AM–2:00 PM @ Yamagata University Frontier Center for Organic Materials Systems, 2nd Floor 
https://www.yamagata-u.ac.jp/jp/information/event/guide/20250801_01/ 

【About J-PEAKS (MEXT Program for Strengthening Research Universities)】 
https://www.yamagata-u.ac.jp/jp/information/info/20250124/ 

Contacts

Yamagata University, Headquarters for Open Innovation Promotion 
Deputy Director: Tatsuhiro Takahashi 
Tel: +81-238-26-3585 / Email: effort★yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp 

JETRO Yamagata 
Director: Kenji Koga 
Tel: +81-23-622-8225 / Email: Kenji_Koga★jetro.go.jp 

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