Japan Hub of the Politecnico di Torino
The Japan Hub is the project through which the Politecnico di Torino promotes and strengthens its academic, scientific and institutional relations with Japan. Launched in 2022, it is directed by Professor Giuseppe Quaglia and is the main tool through which the Turin university develops its network of partnerships with Japanese universities [1].
Structure and network of partnerships
Through the Japan Hub, the Politecnico di Torino was the first Italian university to open its own representative office in Japan, currently hosted at the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Tokyo [3]. The network built up over the years counts 21 partnerships with Japanese universities, including Waseda University, the University of Tokyo and the Institute of Science Tokyo, and produces more than 50 joint scientific publications a year, with activities ranging from aerospace to robotics, from biomedical engineering to materials science, to architecture and seismic engineering [1] [3].
The 2026 mission to Japan
From 22 to 30 October 2026 a delegation from the Politecnico di Torino, led by Japan Hub director Giuseppe Quaglia, carried out an institutional mission to Tokyo and the Kyushu region, in south-western Japan, with the aim of expanding the network of partnerships with universities in the area [2]. The mission led to the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding, with the Kyushu Institute of Technology (KYUTECH) and the Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science (NIAS); the latter agreement is particularly significant, as the Politecnico di Torino is the first institution outside the Asian continent to sign an agreement with the Nagasaki university [2].
The agreement with NIAS, signed at the Japanese institute's premises in the Amiba district of Nagasaki, provides for joint research projects in physical artificial intelligence (Physical AI), green transition (Green Transformation) and shipbuilding, as well as the exchange of academic staff and the organisation of international conferences, also ahead of the opening, planned for April 2027, of a new advanced Faculty of Engineering at the Japanese university [1] [3]. Besides Quaglia, the meeting was also attended by professors Michele Pastorelli and Mariapia Martino of the Energy Department (DENERG) of the Politecnico di Torino [1].
Japan Hub director Giuseppe Quaglia stated that the agreement with NIAS «is an important element of relations with Japan, which makes it possible to extend teaching, research and technology transfer activities to the Kyushu region as well» [1]. The rector of the Politecnico di Torino, Stefano Corgnati, described the agreement as «a further step» in the university's internationalisation strategy towards Japan [2].
Sources
- Il Politecnico di Torino rafforza la sua presenza in Giappone — TorinoOggi, 5 November 2026
- Sguardo a Est: nuove collaborazioni per il Politecnico in Giappone — Politecnico di Torino, 5 November 2026
- Il Politecnico di Torino conquista il Giappone: nuovo accordo per ricerca e innovazione — CronacaQui Torino, 5 November 2026