JST Symposium of the Social Scenario Research Project for the Realization of a Low Carbon Society
- Date：Thu, Feb 06, 2025
- Time：13:00-16:15 (JST)
- Location：[Venue] The University of Tokyo, Komaba II Campus, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Building 3, South Wing, 1st Floor, ENEOS Hall.
[Online] Zoom - Host：
Social scenario research program towards a carbon neutral society, JST Social Scenario Research Project
Japan Model Intercomparison Platform (JMIP) for Sustainable Futures Research Unit, Institute for Future Initiatives, the University of Tokyo - Co-Hosts：
Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), University of Tokyo
Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI), University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University - Language：
Japanese（No translation）
- Capacity：
On-site: 100, Online: 1000 (Registration will be closed when capacity is reached.)
- Participation fee：
Free
- Registration：
*Registration required.
Registration deadline: February 5, Noon.
Applications will be closed when capacity is reached.
Use this form to register:*The Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI), and the Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences of Yokohama National University, are collecting your personal information only to provide information about this event. Your personal information will not be disclosed to any third party under any circumstances.
As the urgent need for global carbon neutrality measures grows louder, Japan faces major social challenges, including energy and economic security issues and regional revitalization. In this context, research on social scenarios has been gaining increasing attention in recent years as a means to reflect the vision of a future carbon-neutral society and provide policy recommendations and guidance for science and technology.
This symposium brings together two cutting-edge research projects— the Sugiyama Project and the Hondo Project—both aimed at achieving a carbon-neutral society. Each project offers innovative insights from distinct approaches toward this goal.
The Sugiyama Project focuses on scenario development based on quantitative scientific and technological assessments. By integrating multiple qualitative scenarios and narratives (storylines) with integrated assessment models, it proposes strategies for an accelerated transition to carbon neutrality.
In contrast, the Hondo Project aims for cost-effective decarbonization of energy systems. It also addresses the impacts on regional economies, industrial and employment structures, and equitable distribution of benefits, ultimately clarifying pathways toward a renewable energy-based society.
This event will share the research outcomes of these two projects and facilitate a wide-ranging discussion on pathways and policies for achieving a decarbonized society. By doing so, it seeks to provide insights and create a collaborative platform for stakeholders from industry, academia, government, and the general public, accelerating the construction of transition strategies for a carbon-neutral society.
- 13:00-13:10Opening
Opening Address
Masakazu Sugiyama [Director & Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), University of Tokyo]Greetings by the Guest of Honor
Akira Yamaguchi [Director, Environmental and Energy Policy Division, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)] - 13:10-14:10University of Tokyo / Sugiyama Project Presentations
Masakazu Sugiyama [Director & Professor, RCAST, University of Tokyo]
Yasuko Kameyama [Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo]
Shinichiro Fujimori [Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University]
Junichiro Otomo [Professor, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology]
Yasunori Kikuchi [Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI), University of Tokyo] - 14:10-15:10Yokohama National University / Hondo Project Presentations
Hiroki Hondo [Professor, Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University]
Takashi Otsuki [Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University]
Yue Moriizumi [Researcher, Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University]
Yuuki Nakano [Researcher, Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University] - 15:10-15:30Break
- 15:30-16:05Panel Discussion
Panelists:
Kyoko Gendatsu [Executive Producer, NHK Enterprises & Visiting Researcher, IFI, University of Tokyo]
Masakazu Sugiyama [Director & Professor, RCAST, University of Tokyo]
Hiroki Hondo [Professor, Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University]
Moderator:
Masahiro Sugiyama [Professor, IFI, University of Tokyo] - 16:05-16:15Closing
Summary and Wrap-up
Shunsuke Mori [Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Science]Closing Address
Hiroki Hondo [Professor, Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University] -
Moderator:
Manuela Hartwig [Project Reseacher, IFI, University of Tokyo]
*Programs are subject to change for certain reasons.
Email: cn-scenario-group★g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp (★→@)
**For inquiries about this event, please do not reply to this email. Instead, send your questions to the address provided above.
On February 6, 2025, we held the “JST Symposium of the Social Scenario Research Project for the Realization of a Low Carbon Society” at the Komaba II Campus of the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST).
During the symposium, research findings from two projects aimed at achieving a carbon-neutral society were presented. We discussed strategies for transitioning to a decarbonized society and the role of policies in this process.
At the opening session, Professor Masakazu Sugiyama from the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), University of Tokyo, delivered a welcome address, emphasizing the importance of social scenario research in addressing global warming. This was followed by a speech from Mr. Akira Yamaguchi, Director of the Environmental Energy Division at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), who spoke about the role of this research initiative in the context of domestic and international efforts towards carbon neutrality.
The symposium began with the research presentation by the Sugiyama Project, led by the University of Tokyo. This project integrates narrative scenario development through workshops with scenario analysis using integrated assessment models, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment to accelerate the transition to carbon neutrality. Professor Masakazu Sugiyama and his research team presented three scenario proposals.
Following this, the Hondo Project, led by Yokohama National University presented their research. This project focuses on building a renewable energy-based society that leverages regional characteristics while analyzing the economic impact on local communities and the concept of a just transition. The presentation covered energy system modeling with high regional and temporal resolution, regional economic simulations using an input-output model, and communication through narrative-based scenarios.
In the latter half of the symposium, we deepened the exchange in a panel discussion, featuring Ms. Kyoko Gendathu from NHK Enterprises as an external guest speaker, along with Professor Masakazu Sugiyama and Professor Hiroki Hondo. The session was moderated by Professor Masahiro Sugiyama. The discussion explored the societal benefits and impacts of the energy transition from multiple perspectives.
Finally, Professor Shunsuke Mori, Professor Emeritus of the Tokyo University of Science, delivered concluding remarks, expressing his expectations for the future development of social scenario research. The symposium provided a valuable opportunity to outline concrete pathways toward achieving a carbon-neutral society.