A special partner for more than 130 years

The Japanese doctor Shibasaburo Kitasato worked for Robert Koch in Berlin from 1886 to 1892 and achieved great success. Many of Kitasato's discoveries paved the way for modern immunology. After his return to Japan, he remained in close contact with Robert Koch. A dedicated research institute was set up for both researchers. The Kitasato Institute is a private research centre associated with a hospital and the Kitasato University and continues to be a special partner of the Robert Koch Institute more than 130 years after Kitasato and Koch first met.

Delegations of scientists visit each other regularly and there is an agreement on academic exchanges. After a break due to the pandemic, the reciprocal visits are being resumed. A delegation from the Kitasato Institute / Kitasato University came to Berlin on 9 September. The highlight of the programme is the 16th Joint Kitasato-Koch Symposium on 10 and 11 September. Hidenao Yanagi, Japan's ambassador to Germany, also came to the Robert Koch Institute to welcome the delegation.