Kyoto University, Osaka University, and Kobe University Joint Symposium: "Facilitating the Transition to a Decarbonized Society in Industry-University Cooperation in Kansai"

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, the Kyoto University, Osaka University, and Kobe University Joint Symposium (sponsored by Nikkei Inc. and the Japan Center for Economic Research) was held in Kita-ku, Osaka as part of the annual "Kansai Economist Meetings."

Under the theme of "Facilitating the Transition to a Decarbonized Society in Industry-University Cooperation in Kansai*,” the presidents of the 3 universities and representatives from the industry had a lively discussion about the role that the industry and universities should play in making use of hydrogen energy and other decarbonization technologies for society.

(*Kansai: The Kansai Region forms the core region of western Japan, including the cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Kobe.)

In the symposium, first, MARUTANI Hiroshi (Managing Executive Officer, Nikkei Inc. Osaka) spoke about the significance of this symposium and expressed his hope that Kansai will contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.

Next, HASHIMOTO Yasuhiko (CEO, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.) gave a keynote speech on utilizing hydrogen technology, which contributes to carbon neutrality*.
(*Carbon neutrality: Eemissions of greenhouse gases balanced by absorption and removal are to be zero.)
Explaining the possibilities and importance of using hydrogen for achieving a decarbonized society, he pointed out that for Japan it is important to overcome technical challenges and lead the world in intellectual property protection and international standards development via industry-academia cooperation in order to use our research results for society.

Then, university presidents FUJISAWA Masato (Kobe University), MINATO Nagahiro (Kyoto University), and NISHIO Shojiro (Osaka University) spoke about endeavors to achieve carbon neutrality at their universities.

Next, YANO Remi, CEO of Havary's Inc., Japan’s first company selling natural water in sustainable paper bottles, introduced the recycling system for paper material at Havary’s.

In the panel discussion, the panel discussed the importance of industry-university collaboration in achieving a decarbonized society, the potential of startups, and human resource development.

As a specific example, President Nishio said that, as a general rule for the construction of new buildings and large-scale renovations on campus, OU is the first university in Japan to adopt a basic policy that the performance of buildings must meet energy saving of 50% or more (the ZEB Ready status).

Based on the fact that the Kansai region, where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will be held, he spoke about the significance that the Kansai region will lead in developing an atmosphere conducive to environmental protection.

Last year’s symposium was held online to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but this year's in-person symposium attracted some 350 participants from universities and corporations.