At best it looks like an exclusive academic club and a way for Microsoft Asia to recruit some top talent from Japan. However, about the institute, in 2009 MS released this PR:
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/japaneseacademics-100109.aspx
Japan Collaboration Mutually Beneficial
By Rob Knies
October 1, 2009 10:00 AM PT
excerpt:
When the Microsoft Institute for Japanese Academic Research Collaboration was founded in July 2005, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates left little doubt about his high hopes for the new effort.
“Japan is one of the most advanced countries in scientific research and engineering in the world,” Gates said at the time. “It has a talent pool that provides tremendous potential.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announces Microsoft Research Asia's collaborative effort with Japanese academia, which debuted in July 2005.
“This platform will allow researchers in one of the world's leading economies to put their long tradition of technological development and product innovation into collaboration with Microsoft.”
A little more than four years later, Microsoft Research Asia will demonstrate the ongoing importance it places on collaborating with Japanese academia when it hosts the 11th annual Computing in the 21st Century conference in early November.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/global/asia-pacific/regions/japan-ijarc.aspx
Microsoft Institute for Japanese Academic Research Collaboration
Established in 2005, the Microsoft Institute for Japanese Academic Research Collaboration (IJARC) acts as a virtual extension of Microsoft Research, building connections with Japanese academia and fostering Japan's technical talent pool.
When Bill Gates announced the formation of the IJARC in June 2005 in Tokyo, he presented the IJARC as a platform to advance research in Japan and to develop young talent through collaboration with Microsoft.
Japanese Academic Research Collaboration, 2005Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announces Microsoft Research Asia's collaborative effort with Japanese academia, which debuted in July 2005.
In addition to conducting sponsored research, the IJARC has organized a series of workshops to facilitate project collaboration and idea sharing between Japanese universities and Microsoft researchers.
Japan Academic Advisory Committee (AAC)
Comprised of some of the most prominent academics in Japan, the Japan Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) represents the IJARC as it works to build connections between Microsoft Research and Japanese academia.
The AAC provides strategic advice to Microsoft Research on regional themes, programs, talent fostering, and academic exchange in Japan. The committee also reviews research proposals submitted by Japanese researchers. The selection criteria they use to evaluate proposals emphasize stimulating innovation by young Japanese researchers, as well as the development of Japanese society.
AAC Members
Kiyoharu Aizawa
University of Tokyo
Katsuro Inoue
Osaka University
Sadaoki Furui
Tokyo Institute of Technology (AAC Director)
Katsumi Tanaka
Kyoto University
Akinori Yonezawa
University of Tokyo
