Japan and Switzerland Connected Through Space Science ― at the Nihon Matsuri in Bern

JAXA and the University of Bern Participate in the Nihon Matsuri

On September 12-13, 2026, the Nihon Matsuri (Japan Festival) was held at the Bern History Museum in Switzerland. Organized by the Embassy of Japan in Switzerland and the Bern History Museum, the event also featured participation by JAXA and the University of Bern, which jointly presented exhibits and talks on space science and space exploration.

This participation was a natural extension of the growing relationship between JAXA and the University of Bern, strengthened through initiatives such as Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and the MMX international outreach collaboration event held at the University of Bern in June 2026.

Expanding Japan-Switzerland Exchange Through Space Science

At the festival, Iijima Toshiro, Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland, and Fujimoto Masaki, Director General of JAXA ISAS, had an opportunity to speak about JAXA's space science activities and the upcoming Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, scheduled for launch in less than one month. Ambassador Iijima and his wife expressed strong interest in MMX, and the conversation also touched on future opportunities for cooperation between Japan and Switzerland through space science.

The festival was also attended by Felix Moesner, Scientific Advisor at the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and former Consul and CEO of Swissnex in Japan, and his wife. Mr. Moesner played an important role in fostering exchanges between JAXA and the University of Bern during Expo 2025. His visit highlighted how connections established through the Expo have continued to grow, leading to further collaboration with the University of Bern and to this year's Nihon Matsuri.

(Top left) Mr. Moesner and his wife (second and third from left); (Top right) Dr. Fujimoto with Mr. Moesner; (Bottom left, from left to right) Dr. Fujimoto; Ojima Tomoko, Associate Senior Researcher, ISAS/JAXA; Ambassador Iijima; Prof. Marschall; Sakurai Hiroyuki, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Switzerland; (Bottom right) Ambassador Iijima and his wife visiting the booth.

Introducing Japanese and Swiss Space Science

In the afternoon, a special lecture session titled "JAXA's Way of Space Research" was held in the auditorium.

Following opening remarks by Ambassador Iijima, Prof. Raphael Marschall of the University of Bern introduced a variety of space missions involving both Japan and Switzerland. Using examples such as MMX and Comet Interceptor, he highlighted the connections between the University of Bern, JAXA, and the wider Japanese space science community.

Dr. Fujimoto then presented an overview of JAXA's space science activities. His talk covered space science missions conducted through cooperation between Japan and Europe, international collaborative efforts including the up-coming RAMSES mission, as well as the partnership with the University of Bern.

(Top left) Opening remarks by Ambassador Iijima; (Top right) Prof. Marschall introducing space missions involving Switzerland and Japan; (Bottom left) Talk by Dr. Fujimoto; (Bottom right) The auditorium was so crowded that visitors filled the space all the way to the staircase outside the entrance.

Bringing Space Closer to Everyone: The University of Bern-JAXA Booth

A joint booth hosted by the University of Bern and JAXA was set up in the outdoor Museum Park.

The booth featured a scale model of the MMX spacecraft and introduced missions involving both Japan and the University of Bern, including RAMSES and Comet Interceptor. Researchers and PhD students from the University of Bern enthusiastically explained their research and missions to visitors.

Hands-on activities were also offered, including Kitchen Science experiments using everyday materials, giving visitors of all ages an opportunity to enjoy and experience science.

The booth also featured genuine meteorite specimens. Many visitors stopped to examine the meteorites up close and listened attentively to explanations from researchers. Meteorites are valuable extraterrestrial materials, but after falling to Earth, they are affected by the terrestrial environment, including the atmosphere and water. In contrast, samples returned to Earth by spacecraft are collected and curated under conditions designed to avoid terrestrial contamination. Visitors also learned that contamination control is the highest priority in JAXA's curation activities in order to preserve the scientific value of returned samples. Seeing actual meteorites up close also provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about the differences between meteorites and returned samples, and the significance of sample return missions that bring extraterrestrial materials back to Earth for scientific study.

JAXA's next sample return mission is MMX, which aims to return samples from Phobos, one of Mars's two moons. With the launch only about a month away, many visitors showed strong interest in the mission and listened closely to explanations about MMX. Even far from Japan, there was a clear sense of excitement and support for the upcoming MMX launch among visitors in Switzerland.

Enjoying Japanese Culture in Bern

The Nihon Matsuri offered far more than space science, with a wide variety of activities introducing Japanese culture.

The venue was bustling with members of the Japanese community in Switzerland and many others interested in Japanese culture. Interactive activities included kendama and games using chopsticks, while food stalls offered onigiri, ramen, traditional Japanese sweets, melon bread, and other Japanese specialties.

Outdoor performances included demonstrations of kendo and other Japanese martial arts, as well as Japanese pop music and sanshin performances. The day concluded with a lively Bon Odori dance. Families dressed in yukata could also be seen among the participants, making it a lively day that truly lived up to the name "Nihon Matsuri."

Blessed with beautiful weather, visitors could also enjoy views of the distant Alps. Many relaxed on the lawn while enjoying Japanese food, creating a memorable scene where the beautiful surroundings of Bern and the atmosphere of a Japanese festival came together.

Looking Ahead to Future Exchanges

The relationship between the University of Bern and JAXA, which grew stronger through Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, has expanded beyond research cooperation to include outreach activities that share the excitement of space science with broader audiences.

Through the Nihon Matsuri, JAXA and the University of Bern were able to introduce MMX and other JAXA space science activities, as well as cooperation in the space field between Japan, Switzerland, and Europe, to members of the public who may not normally have opportunities to engage with space science.

With the launch of MMX now less than a month away, a new journey will soon begin, accompanied by the expectations and encouragement expressed by the many people we met in Bern.

With Ambassador Iijima and the outreach team from the University of Bern and JAXA.

The Center for Space and Habitability (CSH) at the University of Bern has also published a report on the event: UNIBE & JAXA @ Nihon Matsuri: The Grand Japan Festival 2026

Photos by A. Schneeberger, S. Krummenacher and T. Ojima

（2026/10/16）