Jul 18 2025

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Niigata University had the honour of welcoming Her Excellency Ms. Petra Sigmund, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Ambassador Sigmund visited the Ikarashi campus to pay a courtesy call on members of the university leadership, including President USHIKI Tatsuo and Executive Vice President SUEYOSHI Kuni, who is responsible for research and postgraduate studies. During the meeting, they exchanged views on potential research collaborations between Germany and Japan. Ambassador Sigmund emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships in the field of science and technology, expressing particular interest in Niigata University’s cutting-edge research on solar thermal energy, as well as in offshore wind power initiatives being implemented in Niigata Prefecture.

President USHIKI and Executive Vice President SUEYOSHI welcomed her remarks, affirming their strong support for deepening research cooperation between German and Japanese researchers.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Sigmund visited the laboratory of Professor KODAMA Tatsuya from the Faculty of Engineering, who is conducting research on utilization of high-temperature solar thermal energy in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). She observed a large-scale solar simulator with Prof. KODAMA providing an in-depth explanation of the facility. The solar simulator has been used to test novel solar reactors developed by Professor KODAMA, aiming to produce clean hydrogen energy via thermochemical water splitting cycle using high-temperature solar thermal energy which is obtained by concentrating solar radiation with reflective mirrors. This research represents a significant step toward realizing a sustainable hydrogen-based society.

Ambassador Sigmund was deeply impressed by the innovative system, which generates hydrogen from water solely through solar energy without relying on electricity. She expressed high expectations that his pioneering research will continue to advance and eventually lead to practical applications of the technology.

Commemorative photo with Ambassador Sigmund (left)

 

　Ambassador Sigmund listening to an explanation on solar
thermochemical hydrogen production system

 

Observation Tour of Prof. KODAMA’s Laboratory

 

Prof. KODAMA explaining experimental equipment to Ambassador Sigmund

 

Contact

Niigata University International Office