H.E. Prof. Yoichiro Matsumoto

Biography

Yoichiro Matsumoto is a mechanical engineer and Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo. He served as Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan from April 2020 until 31 March 2026, advising the Minister on science and technology, conducting outreach in Japan and abroad, and building networks with overseas partners. Professor Oki Taikan of the University of Tokyo succeeded him on 1 April 2026.

Matsumoto earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering at the University of Tokyo and joined its faculty in 1977, becoming full professor in 1992. He was Dean of the School of Engineering from 2006 to 2008 and Executive Vice President from 2009 to 2015. He then served as Executive Director of RIKEN from 2015 to 2018 and President of Tokyo University of Science from 2018 to 2021.