On January 31, President NASU Yasutomo attended the First Japan-Brazil University Rectors' Summit held at the University of São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil. This meeting was part of the events marking the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil in 2025. The theme of the meeting was "The Role of Universities in Japan and Brazil in Addressing Global Challenges," and it was co-hosted by the University of Tsukuba and the University of São Paulo. In addition to university representatives from Japan and Brazil, Ambassador HAYASHI Teiji, Japan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Brazil, and Consul General SHIMIZU Toru from the Consulate General of Japan in São Paulo also attended.

President NASU participated in Session 1: "Research Collaboration," where he joined a group discussion on "Ocean and Disaster Management" and introduced the activities of Okayama University’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team. In Session 2: "Student Exchange," the University of São Paulo introduced the role of the Portuguese language in student exchanges, leading to a lively discussion.

Afterward, a roundtable discussion was held with all participants, and the meeting concluded with the signing of the "Joint Declaration of the Japan-Brazil University Rectors' Summit," which confirmed the strengthening of academic ties between Brazil and Japan and the collaborative approach to addressing pressing challenges of our time.

This visit to Brazil by President NASU marks his second trip following the visit to this university's School of Dentistry in December 2024. Okayama University will continue to promote exchanges with Brazilian universities, including the University of São Paulo, and contribute to the further development of education and research between the two countries through exchanges among students and faculty members.