{ "title": "VUB and the Japan Sport Council sign a cooperation agreement for a European research centre for elite sport", "modified_at": "2026-06-12 09:24:03", "published_at": "2026-06-12 09:24:00", "url": "https://press.vub.ac.be/vub-and-the-japan-sport-council-sign-a-cooperation-agreement-for-a-european-research-centre-for-elite-sport", "short_url": "http://prez.ly/XEId", "culture": "en", "language": "EN", "subtitle": "First agreement between the Japan Sport Council and a foreign university strengthens international cooperation in high-performance sport", "slug": "vub-and-the-japan-sport-council-sign-a-cooperation-agreement-for-a-european-research-centre-for-elite-sport", "body": "

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
\u200bTime: 12.30 – 14.00
\u200bLocation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building M
\u200bPleinlaan 2, 1050 Ixelles

Programme

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

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\n Koen Stein\n Perscontact wetenschap & onderzoek\n \n
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