VUB and the Japan Sport Council sign a cooperation agreement for a European research centre for elite sport

First agreement between the Japan Sport Council and a foreign university strengthens international cooperation in high-performance sport

On Friday 19 June 2026, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Japan Sport Council (JSC) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further develop their cooperation in the field of elite sport research. Team Japan finished third in the Olympic medal table at the Paris Olympic Games. With an annual budget of 1.3 billion euros, the JSC, through its Japan High Performance Sport Centre (HPSC) and Japan Institute of Sports Sciences (JISS), the JSC is responsible for, among other things, research into elite sport, Team Japan’s preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the physical and mental health of the Japanese population in general and children in particular (see https://www.jpnsport.go.jp/corp/Portals/0/corp/2025_JSC_Pamphlet_ENG_Web.pdf).

The agreement marks an important milestone for both institutions and lays the foundation for the establishment of the HPSC European Research Centre on High Performance Sport in Brussels. Through this collaboration, the partners have deliberately chosen Brussels as a European hub for research and innovation. Through the new research centre, VUB and JSC aim to stimulate international research projects, exchange expertise and contribute to the development of researchers and professionals active in the elite sports sector.

The signing also marks the JSC’s first formal cooperation agreement with a foreign university and underlines the VUB’s international profile in the field of sports research.

The press is warmly welcome to attend the signing ceremony.

Practical information

Date: Friday 19 June 2026 ​
​Time: 12.30 – 14.00 ​
​Location: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building M ​
​Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Ixelles

Programme

  • Opening
  • Official welcome
  • Speeches:

Prof. Jan Danckaert, Rector of VUB

Prof. Dr Pieter Ballon, Vice-Rector for Research, VUB

Prof. Paul Wylleman (VUB), coordinator of the cooperation agreement

Takeshi Kukidome, Vice-President of JPC

Yoriko Noguchi, International Engagement & Information Department, Business Development Division

  • Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
  • Explanation of the importance of the collaboration by representatives of JSC and VUB

Koen Stein

Koen Stein

Perscontact wetenschap & onderzoek

 

 

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Vrije Universiteit Brussel is an internationally oriented university in Brussels, the heart of Europe. By providing excellent research and education on a human scale, VUB wants to make an active and committed contribution to a better society.

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The Vrije Universiteit Brussel assumes its scientific and social responsibility with love and decisiveness. That’s why VUB launched the platform De Wereld Heeft Je Nodig – The World Needs You, which brings together ideas, actions and projects based on six Ps. The first P stands for People, because that’s what it’s all about: giving people equal opportunities, prosperity, welfare, respect. Peace is about fighting injustice, big and small, in the world. Prosperity combats poverty and inequality. Planet stands for actions on biodiversity, climate, air quality, animal rights... With Partnership, VUB is looking for joint actions to make the world a better place. The sixth and last P is for Poincaré, the French philosopher Henri Poincaré, from whom VUB derives its motto that thinking should submit to nothing except the facts themselves. VUB is an ‘urban engaged university’, strongly anchored in Brussels and Europe and working according to the principles of free research.

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Contact

Pleinlaan 2 1050 Brussel

02 / 629.11.38

tineke.sonck@vub.be

www.vub.ac.be