On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Nagasaki University signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Fukushima Prefecture. This agreement was the result of ongoing discussions that began in April of the previous year, when Nagasaki University President Takeshi Nagayasu paid a courtesy visit to Governor Masao Uchibori of Fukushima Prefecture. During this visit, both parties agreed to work toward formalizing a collaborative framework.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Nagasaki University has established regional bases for reconstruction support in the municipalities of Kawauchi, Tomioka, Okuma, and Futaba. The University has continuously provided assistance tailored to each phase of the recovery process, contributing to steady progress in the reconstruction of the region.

However, numerous challenges remain. These include the decommissioning of nuclear reactors, the management of temporarily stored contaminated soil, growing public concern over the release of treated radioactive water, and the fading collective memory of the disaster, as well as the need to preserve its historical record. Additionally, new issues have emerged throughout the recovery process. In response, this comprehensive agreement was formulated not only to sustain and enhance previous support initiatives but also to promote the development of future human resources and academic exchange that will underpin long-term recovery efforts.

The agreement further outlines cooperation in several areas, including the accumulation and application of knowledge related to nuclear disasters, public health monitoring support, and risk communication assistance.

At the signing ceremony, Governor Uchibori expressed his gratitude for the consistent support Nagasaki University has provided since the immediate aftermath of the disaster. He also voiced his expectations for the future: “By disseminating scientifically accurate information about the nuclear disaster and the damage suffered by Fukushima—both domestically and internationally—Nagasaki University can help dispel harmful rumors and foster deeper understanding.”

President Nagayasu remarked, “We hope to utilize the data collected in Fukushima regarding various disaster-related issues for the education and training of a new generation of experts and for academic research that contributes to reconstruction. In Nagasaki, we also face the challenge of preserving the memory of the atomic bombing. I believe our initiatives in Nagasaki can serve as a model for similar efforts in Fukushima.”

The signing ceremony concluded with a firm handshake between the two leaders, marking a new chapter in the partnership between Nagasaki University and Fukushima Prefecture.