Message from the Director
Environmental issues are a common concern of mankind. I hope our research will make the impossible possible.
After studying petrochemistry at Kyoto University, he began working at the chemical company Asahi Kasei in 1972. He holds positions as an honorary fellow at Asahi Kasei, a fellow at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), president of the Lithium Ion Battery Technology and Evaluation Center (LIBTEC), lifetime distinguished professor at Meijo University, and distinguished professor at Kyushu University. He won the 2019 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his work in developing lithium-ion batteries.
In 2020, the Japanese government announced the “Environment Innovation Strategy,” a fundamental policy designed to address global environmental issues. This strategy aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To facilitate the development of innovative technologies needed for this goal, the Global Zero Emission Research Center (GZR) was established at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in 2020.
Despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in the international landscape, GZR has continued its research with determination and consistency. Some of its research findings are now advancing to the next stage of implementation in society. Nevertheless, numerous challenges must still be overcome in order to reach the 2050 goal. Global environmental problems pose shared challenges for all of humanity, making the establishment of an international cooperative framework essential for their resolution. Since its inception, GZR has been involved in RD20, a global initiative that annually brings together national institutes from G20 member countries around the world to discuss and enhance cooperation.
Furthermore, AIST is moving forward in alignment with its The 6th Medium to Long-term Plan, formulated in 2025. Addressing global environmental issues is also identified as a critical priority in this plan. GZR will continue its dedicated efforts toward achieving the 2050 goal.
July 2025
