On November 10, 2025, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) received a donation of 3 million yen from the Bank of the Ryukyus, aimed at promoting innovation and enhancing community outreach activities. A donation ceremony took place at the bank's headquarters in Naha, attended by representatives from both institutions.
Present from the Bank of the Ryukyus were Ken Shimabukuro, President, and Kazufumi Higa, General Manager of the Corporate Business Division, and from OIST were Gil Granot-Mayer, Executive Vice President for Innovation and Outreach and Vice CEO, and Reid Alan Ching, Vice President for Advancement.
This donation will further support OIST's initiatives to nurture startups originating from the university, strengthen collaboration with the local community, and contribute to building a vibrant startup ecosystem in Okinawa. OIST and the Bank of the Ryukyus previously signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in July 2025 to collaborate on efforts such as startup support and human resource development for the sustainable growth of Okinawa. This donation marks the next step in deepening these ties.
During the ceremony, President Shimabukuro of The Bank of the Ryukyus stated, "When OIST researchers and startups connect with local businesses, new ideas and innovations can evolve into real enterprises, creating a positive cycle that drives new industries and job opportunities. As a local financial institution, we are committed to actively contributing to the creation of this virtuous cycle. Moving forward, we will continue to work closely with OIST to promote collaboration between academia and industry, develop mechanisms to ensure that OIST's research outcomes are effectively shared with the broader community, and foster an environment where local businesses and younger generations can confidently take on new challenges."
In response, Granot-Mayer expressed gratitude, saying, "I would like to express my deepest appreciation to everyone at the Bank of the Ryukyus for your trust and support. OIST 's vision is to create and share new values from Okinawa to the world. To achieve this, we aim to strengthen collaboration among startups, governments, and financial institutions, building a robust framework for regional co-creation and innovation. The support from the Bank of the Ryukyus will play a vital role in making this vision a reality. It will serve as a bridge connecting OIST with the local partners and fostering mutual growth."
OIST will continue to work closely with local businesses to foster innovation originating from Okinawa and contribute to the development of the community.
Top image caption: (from left) Kazufumi Higa, General Manager of the Corporate Business Division, and Ken Shimabukuro, President, both from the Bank of the Ryukyus; Gil Granot-Mayer, Executive Vice President for Innovation and Outreach and Vice CEO, and Reed Allan Ching, Vice President for Advancement, from OIST.
