From March 26th to March 29th, 2024, a group of researchers from the Nagoya University-SinoCarbon Innovation Carbon Neutral Innovation Joint Laboratory, led by Professor Xue Jinjun, the Foreign Director, and Professor Tang Renhu, the Chinese Director, visited multiple universities, companies, and other institutions in Tokyo and Nagoya for exchanges.
On the afternoon of March 26th, the laboratory delegation visited the headquarters of Sumitomo Corporation and held discussions with officials from the Global Strategic Promotion Department, Overseas Equipment Division, and Global Power Facility Division. They gained insights into Sumitomo's medium to long-term decarbonization goals and plans, as well as the progress of the Energy Innovation Center's work. Both parties also exchanged views on cooperation in new decarbonization technologies in the power sector.
On March 27th, in the morning, the laboratory delegation visited Locationmind company (LM), founded by Professor Ryosuke Shibasaki from the University of Tokyo. They learned about LM's cutting-edge research in spatial information engineering and big data model analysis, as well as the development of big data cloud services and products based on GPS positioning points. The laboratory believed that this technology could be applied in carbon-inclusive scenarios in domestic scenic spots and national parks in China.
In the afternoon, the laboratory personnel visited the Earth Environment Department of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment to learn about the progress of Japan's GX (Green Transformation) Act.
On March 28th, in the morning, the laboratory team visited the Future Vision Research Center and the Fujita Laboratory at the University of Tokyo. They exchanged research achievements with renowned environmental engineering expert Professor Sou Fujita and his team. Professor Fujita introduced his projects, including the Kitakyushu Eco-town, Kawasaki Industrial Symbiosis Park, Fukushima Shinchi Town natural gas circulation and carbon recovery project, plastic pyrolysis technology, as well as ongoing research on industrial heat demand substitution for garbage incinerators steam, efficient waste recycling for carbon neutrality in petrochemical industrial clusters, and new technologies for lithium battery recycling. After discussions, both parties agreed to sign a memorandum of cooperation to collaborate on research, project applications, editing special issues of international journals, international conferences, and talent exchanges.
In the afternoon of the 28th, the laboratory personnel visited the Business School of Hitotsubashi University to engage in in-depth discussions and exchanges regarding the training of international dual carbon high-end talents, as well as the development of digital educational tools.
On March 29th, the laboratory personnel visited their collaborative partner, Nagoya University. Professor Katsutoshi Shimizu, the Dean of the School of Economics at Nagoya University, met with Chairman Tang Renhu and his delegation from the laboratory. Professor Shimizu highly praised the laboratory's work over the past two years, expressed continued strong support for the laboratory's endeavors, and suggested that Sinocarbon Carbon Investment Company send researchers to collaborate on joint research and organize a Business Matching Forum to facilitate the practical application of academic-industry research outcomes. Subsequently, Professor Tadashi Sonoda, the former Dean of the School of Economics and the Director of the laboratory's Academic Committee, chaired a seminar on academic-industry research at the School of Economics, Nagoya University. As a visiting professor appointed by Nagoya University President and the Chinese Director of the laboratory, Tang Renhu summarized the laboratory's work and proposed this year's activity plan. Mr. Jian Mi, the former head of carbon trading at Sumitomo Corporation, Researcher Ting Wang from the Japan Institute of Research, and researcher Binliang Zhang from the Nagoya University - Sinocarbon Carbon Neutrality Innovation Joint Laboratory, among others, attended the meeting and discussed academic and business cooperation between China and Japan in 2024. Finally, Director Xue Jinjun, Director Tang Renhu, and Professor Sonoda made specific recommendations regarding annual activities such as personnel exchanges, joint graduate courses, and organizing international conferences.
